Lawson opens first “Real×Tech” future-ready store
The new flagship location developed with KDDI combines neighborhood retail with advanced tech.
Lawson has opened its first “Real×Tech LAWSON” store in Takanawa Gateway City, a business park in Minato City, Japan; a new concept that merges the familiar hospitality of its convenience stores with cutting-edge technology.
Located on the sixth floor of THE LINKPILLAR 1 NORTH, the store is part of KDDI’, the retailer’s tech partner for this facility, new headquarters set to officially open on July 1. The store connects diverse local and in-store data through KDDI’s communication technology to deliver new shopping experiences, including personalized product suggestions displayed on digital signage and a store environment designed for interactive and enjoyable shopping.
To ensure efficient operations with fewer staff, the store uses robotics for stocking shelves, cleaning, and food preparation. An AI system processes robot performance data and security footage to calculate workloads and support smoother operations, tackling labor shortage challenges common in the retail sector.
Lawson and KDDI plan to use insights from this flagship site and other in-house trials to refine the Real×Tech concept for broader rollout. They aim to develop a sustainable model that supports local communities while enhancing the role of convenience stores as vital urban infrastructure.
Based on the results in Takanawa, Lawson envisions expanding Real×Tech stores nationwide and, in the future, introducing the concept internationally to deliver a smarter, more connected convenience store experience.
