Welcia Model and Expansion of 24-Hour Stores with In-Store Dispensing Pharmacies

「We are also developing a new business model combining dispensing pharmacies, healthcare, nursing care and food by integrating the strengths of our Group, which has one of Japan's leading food business platforms, with those of Tsuruha and Welcia, which have among the largest drugstore business platforms in Japan. As part of this initiative, we are promoting the rollout of stores based on the "Drug & Food" model, which expands the food category, and had increased the number to 37 stores as of the end of August.」

「By leveraging Tsuruha and Welcia's expertise in operating businesses in the ASEAN region and the Company's group business platform, we aim for the new company to achieve sales of ¥3 trillion, an operating margin of 7%, and operating profit of ¥210 billion in the fiscal year ending February 2032, and to become Asia's No. 1 global company in the health and wellness sector.」

「We entered into the definitive agreement in April 2025. In May, Tsuruha Holdings became an equity-method affiliate of the Company, and in December it is scheduled to become a consolidated subsidiary following a share exchange with Welcia Holdings, under which Tsuruha Holdings will be the wholly owning parent company. ... For the fiscal year ending February 2032, the new company aims to achieve sales of ¥3 trillion, an operating margin of 7%, and operating profit of ¥210 billion, and to become Asia's No. 1 global company.」

「Through these transactions, Welcia Holdings will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Tsuruha Holdings. Together, the two companies will create Japan's largest drugstore group, with sales exceeding ¥2 trillion and approximately 5,500 stores, while aiming to gain competitiveness, grow into Asia's No. 1 global company, and create unlimited growth opportunities for its employees.」

「In the merchandise division, we advanced the development and expanded sales of the original private brands Karada Welcia and Kurashi Welcia. Through integration with the WAON POINT service, the number of Welcia members, the company's points program members, increased to 12.79 million. In the pharmacy division, the number of prescriptions received has increased due to the growth in stores with pharmacies (2,225 as of the end of the current interim consolidated accounting period),」

「In June, we acquired Tooshiya Pharmacy Co., Ltd., which operates 21 stores based in Nagano Prefecture, and in September acquired shares in Welpark Co., Ltd. from the Company and Inageya, making it a consolidated subsidiary. We will expand quality and scale by grouping with leading regional companies and advance initiatives centered on the Welcia model, whose four strengths are stores with pharmacies, counseling, home nursing care, and late-night operations.」

「In the pharmacy division, the number of prescriptions received increased due to the increase in stores with pharmacies (2,167 as of the end of the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year). Through integration with the WAON POINT service, the number of Welcia members, the company's points program members, increased to 11.76 million, and we will continue strengthening customer-attraction initiatives by increasing the usage rate of points cards and apps. To realize our 2030 vision of becoming the No. 1 community health station, we will end tobacco sales by February 2026 and, as in the previous year, install cooling shelters in stores to provide infrastructure supporting the safety and security of local communities.」

「As widening disparities in access to medical care, health, and regions became a major social issue, in February 2024, we agreed with Tsuruha Holdings Co., Ltd. and Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, Welcia Holdings) to begin discussions on a management integration and entered into a capital and business alliance agreement. We aim to create Japan's largest drugstore group with stores nationwide, improve shopping convenience including for food and daily necessities, eliminate the concentration of health services in urban areas, and grow into a global health and wellness company.」

「In the pharmacy division, the number of prescriptions received increased due to the increase in stores with pharmacies (2,117 as of the end of the third quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year) and the recovery in the frequency of visits to medical institutions. ... In line with the policy of ending tobacco sales during fiscal 2025, we began offering the Welcia Smoking Cessation Support Program in December to support customers seeking to quit smoking.」

「In the pharmacy division, the number of prescriptions received increased due to the increase in stores with pharmacies (2,070 domestic stores as of the end of the second quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year) and the recovery in the frequency of visits to medical institutions.」

「In March 2023, we began rolling out the WAON POINT service at stores nationwide, strengthening customer-attraction initiatives.」

「In addition to the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,982 as of the end of the third quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year), the number of prescriptions received grew year on year because the business was not materially affected by restrictions on medical consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... As a result of these initiatives, the group had 2,716 stores at the end of the third quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「In the pharmacy division, despite the impact of revisions to pharmacy fees and drug prices, the number of prescriptions received increased due to the normalization of medical consultations as people returned to normal activity levels and the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,864 as of the end of the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year), among other factors.」

「The number of prescriptions received continued to increase, driven in part by the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,844 at the end of the current consolidated fiscal year), and pharmacy sales for the current consolidated fiscal year increased substantially to 114.4% of the previous fiscal year. ... The number of stores was 2,468 as of the end of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「The number of prescriptions received continued to increase, driven in part by the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,797 as of the end of November), and pharmacy sales for the nine months ended November 30 increased substantially to 115.1% of the prior-year period.」

「At Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries, the number of prescriptions received increased, driven in part by the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,747 as of the end of August), resulting in substantial growth in pharmacy sales. ... The number of stores was 2,287 as of the end of the second quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「Although merchandise sales were affected by the backlash from the sharp increase in demand last year for infectious disease prevention products and food, pharmacy sales increased despite the impact of drug price revisions, due to the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,688 as of the end of May) and new store openings.」

「To address growing health awareness regarding prevention, treatment, and mibusho, among other areas, we will propose ways to meet customer needs from a variety of perspectives, rather than simply selling products, and aim to become a leading company developing a new health and wellness market.」

「Maintained steady sales through the increase in stores with pharmacies, which reached 1,595 at the end of the third quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year, a net increase of 153 from the end of the previous fiscal year. ... Through active store openings and M&A, the group had 2,202 stores at the end of the third quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year.」

「Pharmacy sales at existing stores remained strong through the promotion of the Welcia model, centered on four pillars—stores with pharmacies, counseling, late-night operations, and nursing care—including the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,511 as of the end of August).」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries are promoting the Welcia model, centered on four pillars—stores with pharmacies, counseling, late-night operations, and nursing care. ... Sales substantially exceeded the previous year, driven by the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,452 as of the end of May 2020).」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries maintained steady sales at existing stores through renovations and the active promotion of the Welcia model, centered on four pillars—stores with pharmacies, counseling, late-night operations, and nursing care—as well as growth in pharmacy sales from the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,393 as of the end of November).」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries maintained strong sales at existing stores through the active promotion of the Welcia model, centered on four pillars—stores with pharmacies, counseling, late-night operations, and nursing care—including renovations of existing stores, as well as growth in pharmacy sales from the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,350 as of the end of August).」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries maintained strong sales at existing stores through the active promotion of the Welcia model, including renovations of existing stores, and growth in pharmacy sales from the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,304 as of the end of May).」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries achieved strong sales at existing stores through the active promotion of the Welcia model, centered on four pillars—drugstores and pharmacies, counseling, late-night operations, and nursing care—including the revitalization of existing stores, the expansion of 24-hour stores (203 as of the end of February) aimed at providing customers with reassurance and greater convenience, and growth in pharmacy sales from the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,287 as of the end of February).」

「Sales at existing stores remained strong, driven by growth in pharmacy sales from the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,244 as of the end of November), as well as the expansion of 24-hour stores (184 as of the end of November) aimed at providing customers with reassurance and greater convenience.」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries actively promoted the Welcia model, centered on four pillars: drugstores and pharmacies, counseling, late-night operations, and nursing care, including the revitalization of existing stores. Sales at existing stores remained strong, driven by the expansion of 24-hour stores (165 as of the end of August) aimed at providing customers with reassurance and greater convenience, and growth in pharmacy sales from the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,210 as of the end of August).」

「As a result, sales at existing stores remained strong, driven by growth in pharmacy sales from the increase in stores with pharmacies (up 25 from the end of the previous consolidated fiscal year to 1,185 as of the end of May, including 2 stores in Singapore), as well as the expansion of 24-hour stores (145 as of the end of May) aimed at providing customers with reassurance and greater convenience.」

「As a result, sales at existing stores remained strong, driven by growth in pharmacy sales from the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,160 as of the end of February, including 2 stores in Singapore), as well as the expansion of 24-hour stores aimed at providing customers with reassurance and greater convenience.」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries actively pursued new store openings and the revitalization of existing stores. Sales remained strong, driven by growth in pharmacy sales from the increase in stores with pharmacies (1,070 as of the end of August), as well as the expansion of 24-hour stores (111 as of the end of August) aimed at providing customers with reassurance and greater convenience.」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries actively promoted new store openings and renovations of existing stores. As a result, sales remained strong, driven by growth in pharmacy sales from an increase in stores with in-store pharmacies to 1,042 as of the end of May, as well as the expansion of 24-hour stores to 102 as of the end of May, aimed at providing customers with reassurance and improving convenience.」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries actively promoted the “Welcia model” through renovations of existing stores and other measures. They worked to increase the percentage of stores with in-store pharmacies and promote 24-hour stores to improve customer convenience, resulting in strong existing-store sales driven by growth in pharmacy sales.」

「Welcia Holdings Co., Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries promoted the “Welcia model” through renovations of existing stores and other measures. Existing-store sales remained strong and both revenue and profit increased, driven by higher pharmacy sales resulting from an increase in 24-hour stores, aimed at improving customer convenience, to 56 stores as of the end of August, and an increase in stores with in-store pharmacies to 919 stores as of the end of August.」