Japanese convenience store chain Lawson has opened two stores in Hawaii, marking its entry to the US market.

The stores dubbed Lawson Station are located at Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and Moana Surfrider in Oahu island.

“Our strategy is starting from the center of Waikiki, initially targeting tourists, especially Japanese tourists, who are very demanding in terms of service,” said Makoto Oe, Lawson’s senior manager of international business.

“We will also target Chinese tourists. Although we are still growing in the Japanese market, the convenience store (sector) is coming to saturation in Japan, therefore we have to look at the market outside Japan.”

The two stores in Waikiki are firsts of many Lawson plans to open in the US. CEO Takeshi Niinami said between 30 to 50 stores will be opened in Oahu over the next three years. Stores for the mainland US are also being planned.

Lawson, which has more than 10,000 outlets in Japan, will be a competitor to Honolulu-based convenience store chain ABC Stores.

ABC president and CEO Paul Kosasa was unconcerned by Lawson’s entry. “It’s another retailer, and there’s plenty of retail in Waikiki already. I think in their minds they’re seeing opportunities. As long as there’s locations, there’s opportunity.”

GB