Business suspensions, infection-prevention measures, takeout operations and liquidity preservation during COVID-19

「In the food division, where the Company is seeking to promote growth, the online shop for mail-order gourmet foods, “UKAI GOURMET DELI (うかいグルメデリ),” has been open for 1 year and is used by many customers. To further raise awareness, the Company is strengthening promotional activities, including participating in events with products combining confectionery, tofu and frozen products under the “うかいのグルメ” brand.」

「In the food division, where the Company is seeking to promote growth as a new business format, chefs who previously served as head chefs at the Company’s restaurants have used flash-freezing technology that preserves taste and freshness for extended periods to develop products that allow customers to easily recreate the restaurant experience at home. The Company expanded its lineup and began selling frozen products through the frozen series at the online shop for mail-order gourmet foods, “UKAI GOURMET DELI (うかいグルメデリ),” which had its grand opening in June 2023.」

「The Company has expanded its product lineup and begun selling frozen products through the frozen series at the online shop for mail-order gourmet foods, “UKAI GOURMET DELI (うかいグルメデリ),” which had its grand opening in June 2023.」

「In takeaway and delivery sales, where demand has been rising since the previous fiscal year, the Company expanded the menu, including new products using seasonal ingredients and desserts, to make the service easier to use for various occasions at home. In とうふ屋うかい’s souvenir sales, it increased customer satisfaction by selling seasonal hot-pot series incorporating homemade tofu and seasonal flavours in a course-style format. It also worked to raise awareness of the とうふ屋うかい Online Shop and create opportunities for use by participating in department-store events.」

「In takeaway and delivery sales, where demand has been rising since the previous fiscal year, the Company expanded the menu, including new products using seasonal ingredients and desserts, to make the service easier to use for various occasions at home. In とうふ屋うかい’s souvenir sales, it increased customer satisfaction by selling seasonal hot-pot series incorporating homemade tofu and seasonal flavours in a course-style format. It also worked to raise awareness of the とうふ屋うかい Online Shop and create opportunities for use by participating in department-store events.」

「To enable customers avoiding dining out due to the pandemic to enjoy restaurant-quality food at home or elsewhere, the Company expanded its online shop, takeaway and delivery services and sought to create more opportunities for customers to use them.」

「In October, seeking to enable more customers to enjoy the flavours of とうふ屋うかい, the Company launched the とうふ屋うかい Online Shop and began selling signature dishes such as 豆水とうふ, which had been popular at its restaurants for many years, as well as seasonal hot-pot sets featuring seasonal ingredients.」

「As a first-time initiative, the Company offered takeaway sales at 9 restaurants from 16 May through the end of June so that customers could enjoy うかい’s cuisine at home while operations were temporarily suspended, reflecting its desire to maintain its connection with customers. Although the number of participating stores was temporarily reduced to 3 from July to review the products and establish the sales structure as the stores returned to full operations, the Company relaunched takeaway sales at 8 stores in September in response to customer requests and in light of new lifestyles incorporating the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s published “New Lifestyle.”」

「From 16 May, the Company offered takeaway sales at 9 restaurants through the end of June so that customers could enjoy うかい’s cuisine at home while operations were suspended, reflecting its desire to maintain its connection with customers. Although it was a first-time initiative, it was very well received, and many customers continued to use the service after requests to refrain from going out were eased. As a result, takeaway sales continue at some stores.」

「As COVID-19 spread, the Company made the safety of customers, shareholders, business partners and employees its highest priority. In line with government and local-government policies, it suspended operations at its stores, thoroughly implemented infection-prevention measures that each employee could undertake, encouraged employees to refrain from commuting and promoted staggered working hours, among other measures to prevent the spread of infection. At the same time, it prepared to resume corporate activities promptly after the situation ended. As one such measure, and because it wanted to maintain its connection with customers, the Company began selling takeaway products at some stores on 16 May 2020 so that customers could enjoy うかい’s cuisine at home.」