HitoMile is a leading supplier of alcoholic beverages to izakaya in central Tokyo. The company changed its name from Kakuyasu Group in 2025, and while the return of izakaya customers is key to sales, investment in the transition to a logistics platform may weigh on profits.
HitoMile originated from a long-established liquor store founded in 1921 and generates most of its sales by delivering alcoholic beverages to izakaya and restaurants in central Tokyo. This article examines HitoMile's independence from Kakuyasu Group following the name change, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of its delivery-focused business model.
The company's competitive advantage lies in how it delivers. It has established approximately 250 company-operated locations, primarily across Tokyo's 23 wards. Over many years, it has built a system capable of delivering orders, even a single bottle of beer, within a short time, effectively serving as an external warehouse for izakaya. Management says the new company name reflects both the Japanese word “mairu,” meaning “to go,” and the concept of the last mile.
The greatest risk is the company's exposure to fluctuations in food-service demand, an impact that became particularly pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is currently in a transition period toward becoming a logistics platform, and investment in systems and locations may be weighing on profits. Understanding the structure behind its sources of success and causes of underperformance, rather than looking only at financial results, is considered important.
Restaurants account for approximately 70% of sales, and the company has approximately 45,000 business customers. Going forward, attention should be paid to progress in expanding into food sales and delivery of other companies' shipments, as well as changes in selling, general and administrative expenses.