FamilyMart adds Beyblade play spaces for neighborhood kids
Launched with Takara Tomy, the initiative combines in-store job experiences, meals and spinning-top battles at FamilyMart’s community children’s cafeterias, starting this month at three Tokyo stores.
FamilyMart has teamed up with toy maker Takara Tomy to bring Beyblade X spinning-top battles to its “Famima Kodomo Shokudo” children’s cafeterias, which the retailer describes as a first for a convenience store in Japan.
Aimed at elementary school children living nearby and their families, the events combine in-store work experience, such as operating the register and stocking shelves, with a Beyblade X session led by Takara Tomy’s development team and a shared meal in the eat-in area. Afterwards, a “Free Battle Stadium” will stay in each store for about a month, open to children aged 6 to 12 with a guardian, with tops and launchers available to borrow.
FamilyMart has run its children’s cafeterias since April 2019, offering meals, store work experience and learning programs on topics such as food education, disaster preparedness and money.
“As places where children can play with peace of mind continue to decline, we resonated with Takara Tomy’s vision and were able to hold the first Beyblade experience event at a convenience store,” FamilyMart said. The company aims to combine the cafeterias’ role as a place to belong with a space to play, creating safe convenience stores where children can have fun.
The initiative is part of FamilyMart’s 45th anniversary, celebrated in September under the slogan “Ichiban Challenge”, with the goal of becoming the store most loved by its local community. It also coincides with the October 23 launch of the BEYBLADE X DMM Kuji Vol. 2 lottery at around 6,400 FamilyMart stores nationwide.
