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Will Eat-in Spaces in Japan’s Combini Disappear?
FamilyMart has announced it’ll shutter around a third of its eat-in spaces.
By Marin Akasaka
FamilyMart, one of Japan’s leading convenience store chains, recently revealed plans to shut down some of its eat-in spaces, gradually converting them into spaces for product sales. The company plans to shut down 2,000 of its 7,000 eat-in spaces nationwide by the end of the year. It hasn’t decided what to do with the remaining 5,000 eat-in spaces.
This decision marks a significant shift in the company’s approach to in-store space utilization. What will happen to the rest of FamilyMart’s eat-in spaces? And will other chains follow suit?
A shift in space usage
Since 2013, FamilyMart has been installing eat-in areas as part of its effort to enhance the customer experience. Eat-in spaces provide a comfortable space for customers to enjoy their purchases within the store.
At the time, these eat-in spaces were seen as a way to distinguish FamilyMart from its competitors. They provided added convenience, particularly for office workers and students. This feature catered to those looking for a quick break or meal.
In response to the recent announcement, many social media users expressed concerns over the space’s…
