Belc

Basic Information

Stock Code
9974
Industry
Retail
Category Detail
General Merchandise & Food Retailers
Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture
Establishment Year
June 1959
Listing Year
June 1994
Official Website
https://www.belc.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Halows, Daikokuten Bussan, United Super Markets Holdings, JM Holdings, Life Corporation, Max Valu Tokai, Axial Retailing, Yaoko, Mammy Mart, Arcs, Baro Holdings

Overview

Belc, founded in 1959, operates food supermarkets centered in Saitama Prefecture and throughout the Kanto region, growing through community-focused store development and a strategic partnership with Aeon.

Current Situation

Belc recorded consolidated sales of approximately 387.8 billion yen and operating profit of about 17 billion yen for the fiscal year ending February 2025, achieving steady revenue and profit growth. With Saitama Prefecture as its base, it operates 138 stores, gaining customer support through operations until midnight, its proprietary private brand 'Life with Belc,' and more. Leveraging its partnership with Aeon while maintaining its own brands, it strives to enhance customer satisfaction. In recent years, it has expanded its discount format 'Kurube' and improved the work environment for employees. It is also advancing logistics center development and efficiency through IT utilization. It actively engages in community contribution initiatives. From 2024 onward, it focuses on store expansion across the entire Kanto region and service enhancements, aiming to solidify its position in the intensely competitive food supermarket market.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • The name originates from 'Better Life with Community.'
  • Efficient operations through standardized store layouts.
  • Historic company with first store opening in its founding city of Chichibu.
  • Equity-method affiliate of Aeon with capital alliance.
  • Characteristic of many stores operating until midnight.
  • Regionally flavored PB brand 'Life with Belc.'
  • Operates online supermarkets and mobile supermarkets.
  • Owns deli manufacturing specialist subsidiary Home Delica.
  • PUDO stations installed to improve delivery convenience.
  • Promoting employee clothing and hairstyle freedom, generating buzz.
  • 'Kurube' derives from challenging Belc's limits.
  • Focus on diverse shopping center developments.
  • Conducted donations and gifts to the region for 50th anniversary.
  • QR code payment PayPay introduced in all stores.
  • Actively introducing self-checkout and semi-self-checkout.

Hidden Connections

  • Introduced Top Value products through capital alliance with Aeon.
  • Pioneer of regionally integrated supermarkets, based in Saitama.
  • Deli center adjacent to Welcia pharmacy, also collaborating on procurement.
  • Partnered with mobile supermarket 'Tokushimaru' for shopping support.
  • Contributes to food education with regionally limited PB 'SHUNSAI' brand.
  • Strengthened collaboration through Yamato Transport PUDO station installations.
  • Promotes management participation and stable operations via employee stock ownership.
  • Actively disseminating store information and campaigns via SNS integration.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of store network across the entire Kanto region
  • Low-price market development with new format Kurube
  • Business efficiency through IT and digital technology utilization
  • Service expansion tailored to aging society
  • Strengthening of private brand products
  • Synergies from strategic partnership with Aeon
  • Increasing demand for online and mobile supermarkets
  • Productivity gains through employee satisfaction improvements
  • Development and operation of environmentally considerate stores
  • Enhanced brand loyalty through strengthened ties with local residents
  • Cost reductions via logistics hub optimization
  • Customer convenience expansion through diverse payment methods

Strategic Goals

  • Establish 200 stores across all 7 Kanto prefectures
  • Nationwide rollout of Kurube format for revenue diversification
  • Achieve carbon neutrality in all stores
  • Promote employee diversity and work-life balance
  • Achieve over 30% sales ratio for PB brands
  • Strengthen collaboration and coexistence with local communities
  • Expand online supermarket sales to 15% of total
  • Improve business efficiency by 20% through cutting-edge IT
  • Achieve over 50% food loss reduction rate
  • Maintain industry-leading customer satisfaction survey levels

Business Segments

Food Wholesale and Sales

Overview
The food wholesale business stably supplies high-quality products to a diverse range of customers.
Competitiveness
High customer satisfaction through regional integration and prompt response
Customers
  • Restaurants
  • Deli Manufacturers
  • Food Processors
  • Hotels and Inns
  • Hospitals and Welfare Facilities
  • School Lunch Providers
  • Retail Stores / Other Supermarkets
  • Restaurant Chains
  • Food Trading Companies
  • Event Operators
Products
  • Fresh Foods
  • Frozen Foods
  • Dairy Products
  • Processed Deli
  • Seasonings
  • Beverages
  • Liquors
  • Packaging Materials
  • PB Products
  • Promotional Supplies

Logistics Services

Overview
Efficient operation of logistics centers and delivery networks.
Competitiveness
Introduction of advanced logistics management systems
Customers
  • Belc Stores
  • Subsidiary Home Delica
  • Related Retail Companies
  • Local Delivery Companies
  • Logistics Partners
Products
  • Fresh Logistics
  • Deli Delivery
  • Cold Chain
  • Warehouse Management
  • Logistics Processing Services

Supply Chain Support

Overview
Provides sales support services in collaboration with stores.
Competitiveness
Data-driven management support utilizing IT
Customers
  • Store Operations Managers
  • Sales Promotion Departments
  • Product Planning Departments
Products
  • POS Systems
  • Sales Data Analysis
  • Product Planning Support
  • Procurement Support
  • Marketing Support

Private Brand Manufacturing

Overview
Planning, development, and manufacturing of in-house PB products balance high quality and cost competitiveness.
Competitiveness
Strong collaboration between manufacturing sites and sales stores
Customers
  • Belc Stores
  • Related Retail Stores
Products
  • Life with Belc
  • SHUNSAI Deli
  • Daily Bargain Products
  • Top Value Products

In-Store Services Operations

Overview
Enhancing a variety of in-store and out-of-store services to meet diverse customer needs.
Competitiveness
Regional customer responsiveness and service quality
Customers
  • Belc Store Customers
Products
  • Points Card Service
  • Online Supermarket
  • Mobile Supermarket Collaboration
  • Delivery Service

Shopping Center Development

Overview
Realizing regional economic revitalization and customer convenience through self-developed SCs.
Competitiveness
Facility design aligned with local needs
Customers
  • Tenant Companies
  • Local Communities
  • Government
Products
  • Neighborhood SC Operations
  • Anchor Store Operations
  • Small Open Mall Management

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Regionally integrated store development
  • Stable management foundation and financial position
  • Benefits from partnership with Aeon Group
  • Standardized store operations
  • Diversified private brand rollout
  • Convenience of operations until midnight
  • Comprehensive logistics center system
  • Employee-friendly work environment improvements
  • Diverse service rollout for customers
  • Collaboration with mobile supermarkets
  • Online supermarket operations
  • Active participation in community contribution activities
  • Efficient POS system implementation
  • Cost efficiency based on standardization
  • Shopping center development and operations

Competitive Advantages

  • Aeon Group's brand and capital support
  • Product assortment balancing private brands and general merchandise
  • Wide store network and customer base in the Kanto region
  • New market development with discount format Kurube
  • Brand image enhanced by abundant food education and community activities
  • High customer convenience with operations until midnight
  • Efficient product delivery via proprietary logistics centers
  • Real-time sales data analysis through IT implementation
  • Improved repeat rate through diverse customer services
  • Shopping center development tailored to regional needs
  • Promotion of flexible work styles for employees
  • Differentiated store design and operations from competitors
  • Effective points rebate service implementation
  • Customer coverage expansion through proprietary mobile supermarket collaboration
  • Store development strategy concentrated in multiple regional areas

Threats

  • Intensifying competition in the food supermarket market
  • Price competition pressure from nearby major companies
  • Demand fluctuations due to population decline and aging
  • Rising raw material prices and logistics costs
  • Diversification of consumer purchasing patterns
  • Impact from the rise of online shopping
  • Uncertainty in customer penetration for new store formats
  • Increased operational burden from regulatory changes
  • Risk of logistics disruptions from natural disasters
  • Prolongation of labor shortages in the job market
  • Strengthened demands for social responsibility
  • Acceleration of digital investments by competitors

Innovations

2024: Introduction of Checkout-Only Chairs

Overview
Introduced chairs for cashiers to reduce employee burden and improve service quality.
Impact
Improved employee satisfaction, enhanced service quality and efficiency

2024: Employee Hairstyle Liberalization

Overview
Implemented hairstyle freedom to respect employee individuality, generating buzz.
Impact
Contributes to creating a better work environment and improving retention

2023: Launch of New Discount Store Format 'Kurube'

Overview
Opened low-price format Kurube in Gunma Prefecture to develop new markets.
Impact
Revenue diversification through acquisition of new customer segments

2023: Expansion of Online Supermarket and Smartphone App Release

Overview
Launched shopping app 'SmaBelc' to promote contactless ordering.
Impact
Improved customer convenience and contributed to sales growth

2022: Reconstruction of Deli Subsidiary Factory

Overview
Rebuilt deli factory after fire to strengthen production capacity.
Impact
Achieved stable product supply and quality maintenance

2021: Expansion of Self-Checkout and Semi-Self-Checkout Introduction

Overview
Expanded introduction to address labor shortages and improve customer convenience.
Impact
Contributed to shorter checkout wait times and labor cost reductions

2020: PayPay Compatibility Start

Overview
Introduced QR code payment PayPay in all stores to enable diverse payment methods.
Impact
Promoted cashless payments and improved customer convenience

2023: Participation in Tuna Auction at Toyosu Market

Overview
Successfully bid on high-weight tuna at Toyosu Market for product rollout.
Impact
Increased buzz and foot traffic through high-quality product offerings

2022: Start of PUDO Station Installation

Overview
Began expanding installation of Yamato Transport parcel pickup lockers.
Impact
Enhanced customer convenience and promoted store traffic

2023: Store Operating Hours Extension

Overview
Extended operating hours until midnight at many stores.
Impact
Contributed to improved customer convenience and sales growth

Sustainability

  • Participation in regionally integrated environmental conservation activities
  • Promotion of recycling station installation in all stores
  • Continued free provision of biomass plastic bags
  • Food education activities and active use of local products
  • Employee health promotion and work-life improvement measures
  • CO2 reduction efforts through logistics efficiency
  • Strengthened disaster support cooperation with local communities
  • Plastic usage reduction campaigns
  • Store equipment updates for improved energy efficiency
  • Promotion of food loss reduction programs
  • Formulation and implementation of sustainable procurement standards
  • Shopping support for those in need through mobile supermarket collaboration