Lawson has opened an experimental store called Real x Tech Lawson on June 23, 2025, in Tokyo’s Takanawa Gateway City.

The location also hosts the new headquarters of telecom giant KDDI, which co-owns Lawson with a 50% stake.

The store features advanced technologies such as robotics, AI, and digital signage aimed at improving efficiency and collecting operational data.

A robot prepares Kara-age Kun fried chicken, another cleans the store, and digital panels display product information and local event details.

A key feature is the self-checkout system with a 3D avatar of a Lawson employee offering remote assistance.

The store also uses cameras and tags to monitor stock and employee workloads, while AI systems suggest operational improvements.

KDDI, which co-owns Lawson with Mitsubishi Corporation, collaborated on the project.

The store will serve as a testing ground for solutions before wider rollout.

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🔗 Source: Japan Times

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Japan’s demographic crisis drives retail automation nationwide

Lawson’s tech-powered store reflects a national initiative beyond just one company’s innovation strategy.

The Japanese government has been actively promoting convenience store automation since 2019, with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) setting an ambitious goal to automate all of Japan’s 55,000+ convenience stores by 2025 1.

This automation push is directly tied to Japan’s severe demographic challenges, as the population is projected to shrink dramatically from 125 million in 2000 to just 88 million by 2065, creating critical labor shortages 1.

Despite these challenges, Japan’s convenience store market remains robust, generating ¥11.8 trillion ($78.7 billion) in annual sales as of 2024, highlighting why companies are investing heavily in technology to maintain operational efficiency 2.

The experimental Lawson store’s robots for cooking and floor cleaning directly address these labor concerns while testing which technologies can realistically scale across their network of 14,700 stores nationwide.

2️⃣ Telecom-retail partnerships represent a strategic industry convergence

KDDI’s ¥500 billion investment in Lawson exemplifies how telecommunications companies are diversifying beyond their traditional markets.

The partnership gives KDDI access to Lawson’s extensive physical network of 14,700 stores, providing crucial consumer touchpoints as telecom growth slows and physical retail evolves 2.

This convergence mirrors global trends where technology companies are entering retail spaces, such as Amazon’s development of cashierless Amazon Go stores that use computer vision and RFID technology to eliminate checkout lines 3.

For Lawson, the partnership provides vital technology expertise to counter growing competition from drug stores and other convenience chains in Japan’s saturated market, where three major players (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson) dominate 4.

KDDI’s gradual acquisition strategy, beginning with a 2.1% stake in 2019 and culminating in 50% ownership, demonstrates a methodical approach to entering the retail sector while building technology integration capabilities.

3️⃣ Convenience stores evolve from transaction points to experience centers

Lawson’s experimental store represents a broader shift in how convenience retailers are reimagining their physical spaces.

The introduction of digital panels, 3D avatars, and AI-driven operational systems aligns with industry forecasts that creating immersive customer experiences will become increasingly important for convenience retailers in 2025 5.

This transformation is occurring throughout Asia, where the convenience store market is projected to grow from $250.76 billion in 2024 to $531.72 billion by 2034, driven by expanding middle-class populations seeking enhanced shopping experiences 6.

Consumer research suggests retailers must carefully balance technological innovation with practical utility, as studies have found 44% of shoppers felt digital displays had no impact on their shopping experience, highlighting the importance of thoughtful implementation 7.

The focus on fresh food automation at Lawson’s tech store, particularly the robot-assisted preparation of their popular Kara-age Kun fried chicken, reflects the growing emphasis on food service offerings that has become a key differentiator in the convenience sector across Asia 6.

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