Japanese convenience store chain Lawson plans to increase its presence in China and Southeast Asia.

Lawson will open 10,000 convenience stores in China by 2020, 300 of which will be opened in Chongqing over the next three years, said Lawson president and CEO Takeshi Niinami. As of April, the chain had more than 360 stores in Chongqing, Shanghai and Dalian.

Lawson is also seeking opportunities to open stores in Beijing this year.

Apart from China, Lawson will also expand retail operations in Southeast Asian countries including India, Vietnam and Malaysia. It plans to enter India in partnership with Future Group.

Lawson originated in Ohio, US, but is now Japanese headquartered with about 10,000 stores in Japan. It competes with 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Ministop.

GB