Lawson has announced its plans to launch “next-generation” convenience stores with robots stocking shelves and frictionless payment.
Driven by Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), the company is partnering with KDDI Corporation (KDDI), and plan to open two stores in Takanawa Gateway City in Tokyo, which will be operated as an experimental lab for various retail-tech aimed to transform Lawson.
The new stores will feature robots that can stock shelves and clean, AI signage that recommends products and campaigns based on the current customer in store, as well as remote customer service booths with specialised staff.
MC said that it also aims to enhance convenience stores’ roles by solving social issues in each community through cooperation with local governments, with the aim of creating a “Lawson Town”.
The three companies, Lawson, MC, and KDDI, recently signed an agreement on disaster management to work together to build a system to help in the recovery of disaster-hit areas, providing a hub where victims can feel safe.
Utilising KDDI’s Starlink network and drones, it will also patrol the communities to enhance community safety and assist in transportation through on-demand mobility services.
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