Lawson to close 85 shops nationwide over New Time holidays
18 December, 2020
Convenience retailer operator Lawson Inc can close around 85 shops across Japan through the country's year-end and New Year holidays, sources near the matter said Wednesday, breaking from the industry's a day per day, 365 days per year standard.
The convenience store operator will allow franchise owners to shut stores for many days between Dec 30 and Jan 3, as customer numbers are anticipated to decline at outlets running a business districts.
Some convenience stores also face difficulty in securing enough personnel, including part-timers, through the holidays, the sources said.
Lawson has only once before allowed multiple franchise owners to close outlets above a fresh Year holiday period. During the previous year-end and New Yr holidays, 102 stores shut nationwide in a trial to gauge the effect on business operations.
Lately November, 367 of Lawson's 14,503 shops regularly operate over reduced operating hours.
Among different convenience store operators, Seven-Eleven Japan Co could keep its outlets jogging as usual during the year-end and New Year holidays. FamilyMart Co programs to send substitute personnel to stores managed by franchise owners who want to take leave.
For the upcoming holiday season, many supermarket and eatery operators in Japan intend to close amid a resurgence of coronavirus infections.
Source: japantoday.com
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