convenience store Japanese Features Soceity and Customs

Convenience Culture in Japan

When you want to buy something, where do you normally go? In the US, you would go to a nearby supermarket, right? In Japan, you could instead go to a convenience store for many of your grocery needs.

Actually, Japanese convenience stores offer many other services. For example, as the below picture shows, you could withdraw some money from an ATM, pay bills, copy and fax documents, or even buy concert tickets. Japanese convenience stores are actually convenient in the literal sense. These days, however, they are becoming one of the hottest places in Japan. If you are interested in the latest trends, you definitely need to check out Japanese convenience stores.
















Some trendy items, such as gyaku choco (which is explained in our previous post "Japanese Valentine's Customs"), are only available in convenience stores. Other limited items at convenience stores include unique noodles, snacks, drinks, and cosmetics. For example, there are some drinks, which contain hyaluronic acid (considered good for the skin) and vitamin C, targeted at health- and beauty-conscious customers.

Less expensive, but effective, cosmetics (e.g., lotions) are available only there. These cosmetics are called konbini cosme (English: cosmetics only available in convenience stores), which are especially popular among young people.

Starbucks has also launched this type of konbini business with Suntory, one of the biggest beverage companies in Japan, and introduced three types of convenience-store-limited coffee this February.



















As you can see in the first picture and the above one, these three types (Seattle Latte, Milano Expresso, and Bruxelles Dark Chocoalte) occupy the "premium" spot on the shelf, at the height of people's eyes, where customers pinpoint these coffees. These customers, of course, include young people, who shop at more convenience stores than regular stores. They are very keen about these trendy items and create so-called "convenience culture" in Japan.