Clerks are remote from Awaji Island, cutting electricity bills by 40%… Cutting-edge near-future convenience store “cute avatar” customer service photo

It’s not all good.

Because of the self-checkout and avatars are the mainstay of the store, security measures are not perfect. Alcohol and cigarettes cannot be purchased without presenting a driver’s license. Some elderly people may find self-checkout a hassle. It remains to be seen whether “Green Lawson” can be established as a consistently profitable business model.

Economic journalist Takashi Matsuzaki explains.

The “Green Lawson” program is also intended to solve a problem facing the convenience store industry: the enormous amount of food waste. The cost of food disposal is enormous. Food waste is the responsibility of each store owner, and has been a major issue for the convenience store industry. The cost is so high that it is difficult for individual stores to make a profit. In recent years, major convenience store operators have been increasing the number of stores, but it has been difficult to find new owners who are willing to bear the burden.

Green Lawson” has created a stir in this problem. Rather than placing the burden of food loss on the owners, the challenge is to create new stores together. However, unmanned services such as self-checkout cannot be realized without the understanding of users. The key point is how much we can appeal the benefits to customers.

The store will be staffed by avatars ……, who will also play rock-paper-scissors-paper. In a few years, such convenience stores may become the norm.