Ministop

Basic Information

Stock Code
9946
Industry
Retail
Category Detail
General Merchandise & Food Retailers
Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
Establishment Year
May 1980
Listing Year
July 1993
Official Website
https://www.ministop.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
ABC-Mart, C.V.S. Bay Area, Honeys HD, Seven & i Holdings, 3F, Poplar, Ichibanya

Overview

Ministop is a convenience store chain founded in 1980 under the Aeon Group, with a strength in operating stores combined with fast food.

Current Situation

Ministop recorded consolidated sales of approximately 79 billion yen for the fiscal year ended February 2024, while facing a challenging business environment with ongoing partial losses. It operates mainly around 2,000 stores domestically and maintains stores in Vietnam. With support from its parent company Aeon, it differentiates through 'combo store' formats featuring in-store fast food and eat-in functions. It supports electronic money and various payment methods, having quickly introduced WAON and Suica, but has experienced intensified competition and withdrawals from overseas markets. It focuses on sustainability through the development of environmentally friendly stores, increased wooden stores, promotion of eco-delivery, and more. In the future, it aims for efficient store operations, selective overseas business expansion, and improvements in corporate posture to restore social credibility.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Established in 1980 with investment from Aeon (then JUSCO)
  • Unique 'combo store' format with in-store fast food preparation
  • Partners with Gulliver Nichiyo for soft serve ice cream production
  • Installs the same Loppi terminals as Lawson in all stores
  • Overseas stores only in Vietnam, withdrawn from other countries
  • Uses domestic thinning wood for chopsticks, offsets costs with ads
  • First in Aeon Group to introduce Suica electronic money
  • Some stores close eat-in areas at night
  • Stores in highway PA/SA do not sell alcohol
  • Late adoption of common points cards
  • Employee uniforms contain 55% recycled polyester
  • Operates employee-only stores in Aeon Malls
  • Withdrew from Korea market in 2022 due to fierce competition
  • Also operated drugstore combo stores in 2013
  • Plays unique in-store announcement 'Ministop in your ears'

Hidden Connections

  • Exclusive handling of Topvalu products in collaboration with parent Aeon
  • Partners with Hitachi Logistics for efficient product delivery
  • Introduced Lawson's multimedia terminal Loppi in all stores
  • Previously operated in Shikoku through a joint venture with JR Shikoku
  • Soft serve machines jointly developed with specialist manufacturer Nichiyo
  • Sold Korean subsidiary to Lotte Group in the past and withdrew
  • Many stores host Aeon Bank ATMs providing ATM services
  • Has experience in business alliance with drugstore Welcia

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Strengthening high-value-added fast food products
  • Further expansion of cashless payment adoption
  • Promotion of eco-friendly renovations for existing stores
  • Efficient store operations and service improvements in domestic market
  • Business growth in Vietnam market and local expansion
  • Customer experience enhancement through digital technology
  • Expansion and strengthening of franchisee relationships
  • Restoration of social credibility and promotion of CSR activities
  • Development of new business models like delivery
  • Advancement of environmental response and sustainability strategies
  • Diversification of product lineup and health-oriented対応
  • Talent securing through improved employee work environment

Strategic Goals

  • Increase domestic stores to approximately 2,500
  • Eco-friendly stores occupancy rate over 80% across all stores
  • Overseas business expansion centered on Vietnam and achieving profitability
  • Achieve over 90% electronic money usage rate
  • Maintain fast food sales ratio over 20%
  • Maintain industry top-class customer satisfaction survey results
  • Sophistication of franchisee support system and revenue improvement
  • Strengthening sustainable management and social responsibility
  • Expansion of digital channels and diversification of customer touchpoints
  • Improvement of work environment and employee retention rate

Business Segments

Franchise Support

Overview
Provides comprehensive support for franchise store operations to maintain brand consistency.
Competitiveness
Powerful backup system from Aeon Group
Customers
  • Franchise owners
  • Regional operating entities
  • Store operation managers
Products
  • Store development support
  • Marketing support
  • Logistics support

Logistics Services

Overview
Stabilizes product supply through efficient distribution network and achieves cost reductions.
Competitiveness
High-quality delivery through collaboration with Hitachi Logistics
Customers
  • Headquarters stores
  • Franchise stores
  • Logistics providers
Products
  • Delivery services
  • Product management systems
  • Refrigerated/frozen logistics

Fast Food Product Supply

Overview
Supplies products and technical support enabling detailed in-store cooking.
Competitiveness
Product design capability for in-store cooking
Customers
  • Store cooking departments
  • Food and beverage related businesses
Products
  • Processed frozen foods
  • Cooking ingredients
  • Original ingredient development

Payment Infrastructure Provision

Overview
Manages payment terminals and services for stores to enable fast payments.
Competitiveness
Strength in supporting diverse payments like WAON and Suica
Customers
  • Store operation departments
  • Partner financial institutions
Products
  • Electronic money systems
  • Credit card terminals
  • Loppi terminals

Marketing and Advertising Services

Overview
Provides multifaceted marketing initiatives for customer attraction and sales promotion.
Competitiveness
Utilization of in-store digital devices like Loppi
Customers
  • Manufacturers
  • Advertising agencies
  • Franchise companies
Products
  • Promotion planning
  • In-store announcements
  • Digital coupons

Environmental and Energy-Saving Support

Overview
Supports the adoption of energy-saving equipment and design methods to reduce environmental impact.
Competitiveness
Leadership in proprietary eco-friendly technologies
Customers
  • Store operations
  • Headquarters facility management
Products
  • Linear motor automatic doors
  • CNG delivery vehicles
  • Eco-friendly store design

Overseas Business Expansion Support

Overview
Provides comprehensive support for overseas market development and local operations.
Competitiveness
Aeon Group's global network
Customers
  • Vietnam subsidiary
  • Overseas partners
Products
  • Local store operations
  • Technical assistance
  • Market research

Digital Service Development

Overview
Contributes to efficiency and customer convenience through digitalization.
Competitiveness
Loppi and electronic money integration technology
Customers
  • Store operations
  • Customer service departments
Products
  • Mobile coupon systems
  • Membership management systems
  • POS-linked systems

Human Resource Development and Training

Overview
Organizationally supports skill improvement necessary for convenience store operations.
Competitiveness
Utilization of Aeon Group's training infrastructure
Customers
  • Franchise employees
  • Headquarters staff
Products
  • Customer service training programs
  • Safety and hygiene education
  • Management training

Eco-Friendly Store Construction

Overview
Promotes environmentally considerate store design and construction to enhance brand value.
Competitiveness
Proprietary sustainable store design technology
Customers
  • New store development
  • Existing store renovations
Products
  • FSC-certified timber materials
  • Energy-saving lighting equipment
  • Solar power systems

In-Store Processed Food Development

Overview
Develops and quality-controls ready-to-eat foods prepared in-store.
Competitiveness
Integration of cooking equipment and new product development
Customers
  • Store operation departments
  • Product planning departments
Products
  • Hot dogs
  • French fries
  • Soft serve raw materials

Points Program Operation

Overview
Strengthens customer loyalty through WAON points card initiatives.
Competitiveness
Points exchange system linked to Aeon Bank ATMs
Customers
  • Customers
  • Franchise stores
Products
  • smart WAON
  • Points exchange service

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Aeon Group's financial strength and logistics support
  • Uniqueness of in-store fast food preparation
  • Abundant cashless payment compatibility
  • Securing bases in Vietnam market
  • Deployment of eco-friendly stores
  • Strong franchise system with franchisees
  • Service expansion addressing diverse customer needs
  • Safe in-store facilities and clean eat-in areas
  • Multi-functional services via Loppi terminals
  • Enhanced integration with points cards

Competitive Advantages

  • Combo store format fusing convenience store and fast food
  • Stable supply through linkage with Ae's sales network
  • Store deployment at stations and highways for high accessibility
  • Efficient logistics network built with Hitachi Logistics
  • Advanced comprehensive electronic money payment system
  • Appealing sustainability through eco-friendly stores
  • Regional closeness via robust franchise store support
  • Development capability for numerous diverse fast food items
  • Customer stay time extension via eat-in spaces
  • Customer service enhancement via proprietary Loppi terminals

Threats

  • Intensifying competition in domestic convenience store market
  • Withdrawal risks from overseas markets like Korea and Philippines
  • Difficulty in securing talent due to declining working population
  • Fluctuations in product demand due to changing consumer preferences
  • Rising raw material prices and logistics costs
  • Delays in adopting new cashless payments
  • Image damage from declining social credibility
  • Impact on store operations from natural disasters
  • Threats from competitors' aggressive business reforms
  • Increased cost burdens from strengthened environmental regulations

Innovations

2024: Expansion of high-function eco-friendly stores

Overview
Introduced linear motor energy-saving automatic doors and interiors using FSC-certified timber in stores.
Impact
Contributes to energy savings and brand image improvement

2023: Expansion of electronic money and cashless payments

Overview
Completed full-store introduction of iD and QUICPay in addition to WAON and Suica to improve convenience.
Impact
Improved customer payment experience and increased promotional effects

2022: Reorganization of overseas business and focus on Vietnam

Overview
Decided to withdraw from Korea and Philippines operations and focus on Vietnam market.
Impact
Optimal allocation of management resources and improved future prospects

2021: Development of new fast food menus

Overview
Introduced multiple new hot snacks and dessert menus that can be prepared in-store.
Impact
Increased customer satisfaction and repeat rate

2020: Launch of digital coupon service 'WAO Pon'

Overview
Introduced smartphone-linked coupon issuance service across all stores to strengthen promotions.
Impact
Increased membership and enhanced sales promotion effects

2025: Flexible hair style regulations for store employees

Overview
Eased hair color restrictions for part-time and temporary staff to create a more comfortable work environment.
Impact
Improved employee satisfaction and talent acquisition

Sustainability

  • Introduction of compressed natural gas vehicles for delivery
  • Eco-friendly store construction using FSC-certified materials
  • Full rollout of energy-saving automatic doors
  • Use of domestic thinning wood for disposable chopsticks for environmental protection
  • Paid plastic bags to reduce plastic usage
  • Active deployment of wooden stores to reduce environmental impact
  • Annual issuance of environmental social reports for transparency
  • Promotion of electronic money to reduce cash handling
  • Improved sales planning to reduce food waste
  • Employee awareness improvement through environmental education training