Tokyo Combini Wars: Lawson to buy AM/PM
 

From the Japan Times:

Lawson Inc., Japan's second-largest convenience store chain, said Wednesday it plans to acquire smaller rival am/pm Japan Co. for between ¥14 billion and 15 billion yen as it seeks to expand its operations in the densely populated Tokyo area.

Lawson hopes to better compete with market leader Seven-Eleven Japan Co. by taking over seventh-ranked am/pm Japan, which has over 500 convenience stores in Tokyo's 23 wards.


Maybe we can get some "Natural AM/PM" stores in Tokyo soon?

Full article: Lawson looks to buy am/pm for ¥15 billion | Japan Times

Good, I'm glad. AM-PM stores have a rather poor selection, especially of hot food items, and they also tend to be dirtier and less well organized than the Lawson stores, hopefully they'll clean themselves up now. But then again, the local AM-PM is across the street from the local Lawson, and there are two Natural Lawson stores within 5 minutes walk, not to mention the 7-11 being right next to my apartment building.

In America I had to walk 15 minutes to get to the nearest convenience store. Walk 15 minutes in Tokyo and you'll probably pass 20 or more convenience stores.