Expansion of unmanned stores combined with mobile sales

「The Company has been expanding the sales routes of its mobile supermarkets, primarily in areas where many customers experience inconvenience in their daily shopping. In June, it newly began operating at M Supercenter Utazu (Utazu-cho, Ayauta-gun, Kagawa Prefecture), MV Miyanishi (Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture) and MV Tokuyama-Higashi (Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture), followed by M Susaki (Susaki, Kochi Prefecture) in July. As a result, the service now covers a cumulative total of 100 stores, 151 vehicles and 826 routes (mobile supermarket sales up 8.1% year on year). In addition to providing shopping opportunities through home delivery of products, the mobile supermarkets are strengthening ties with local communities by providing welfare-check services and creating places for social interaction.」

「We newly began operations at 7 stores during the fiscal year, bringing the cumulative totals to 94 stores, 146 vehicles and 798 routes.」

「In the non-store business, we continued expanding mobile sales routes, launching new services in April at the M Ozუ store in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, in June at the MV Choda store in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, and in July at the M Uno store in Tamano, Okayama Prefecture. The business now operates from a cumulative total of 90 stores with 142 vehicles and 777 routes. By delivering products to depopulated areas and islands, we are deepening our ties with local communities.」

「The Group advanced the establishment of its non-store business, including mobile supermarkets and e-commerce. During the consolidated fiscal year, the mobile supermarket business, which is being further expanded, launched services at 12 new stores and now operates 127 dedicated vehicles from 81 stores across 8 prefectures. We are also introducing quick commerce, which delivers food, daily necessities and other products immediately, and provide services at 27 stores, including Wolt.」

「The mobile supermarket business launched new services in September at the Maxvalu Sugou store in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, in October at the Maxvalu Chofu store in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and in November at the Maxvalu Bizen store in Bizen, Okayama Prefecture. It now operates 41 dedicated vehicles from 31 stores across 9 prefectures, expanding mainly in mountainous and island areas where daily shopping is difficult. Delivery services have also been introduced, with Uber Eats launched at a total of 4 stores, including the Maxvalu Express Hojo store and Maxvalu Okubo store, and Wolt launched at a total of 4 stores, including the Maxvalu Rakurakuen store and the Foreo Hiroshima Higashi store.」

「The mobile supermarket business expanded with new services launched in June at the Maxvalu Yabu store in Yabu, Hyogo Prefecture, and in August at the Marunaka Shiratori store in Higashikagawa, Kagawa Prefecture. It now operates 37 dedicated vehicles from 27 stores across 9 prefectures, expanding mainly in mountainous and island areas where daily shopping is difficult. Delivery services also began with Uber Eats in June at the Maxvalu Kitazaike store in Kakogawa, Hyogo Prefecture, and the Marunaka Ikawadani store in Nishi Ward, Kobe, and in July at the Maxvalu Miyanishi store in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. Wolt services began in June at the Maxvalu Kaita store in Kaita, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, and in August at the Marunaka Matsufuku store in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. We will continue expanding mobile supermarkets and unmanned stores, addressing customer inconvenience and new needs while offering convenient, innovative services.」

「In March, mobile sales newly began at the Marunaka Sanyo store in Akaiwa, Okayama Prefecture. The business now operates 35 dedicated vehicles from 25 stores across 9 prefectures, and is expanding mainly in mountainous and island areas where daily shopping is difficult. In addition, Uber Eats delivery services began in May at the Maxvalu Nishiakashi-Minami store and the Maxvalu Saenba store, both in Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture.」

「In November, we opened an unmanned store at Asahara Community Center in the Asahara district, a mountainous area of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, where we had previously operated mobile sales. By combining mobile sales, which deliver fresh food, with unmanned stores stocked mainly with daily necessities, we launched a new community-based initiative that offers customers a broader range of shopping options.」

「In November, we opened an unmanned store at Asahara Community Center in the Asahara district, a mountainous area of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, where we had previously operated mobile sales. By combining mobile sales, which deliver fresh food, with unmanned stores stocked mainly with daily necessities, we launched a new community-based initiative that offers customers a broader range of shopping options. We will continue expanding mobile sales and unmanned stores, addressing customer inconvenience and new needs while offering convenient, innovative services.」