Family Mart and AM/PM seem to have started M&A talks.  If the news is right, Family Mart is the buyer on AM/PM and if this could be realized, the size of the convenience store network will be the 3rd biggest in Japan next to LAWSON.

As far as I know, there are more convenience stores in Japan than we need.  It’s apparent that severe competition is always held among them and it’s never ending battle.

For us consumers, being easy to find the convenience store in near location is really “convenient”. But from the other point of view, too many stores often destroys the natural views of town.　Wherever we go, the convenience stores exist just like they are following us.

We had no convenience stores except local shops in the town when we were kids.  Did we feel inconvenient at the time ?  No at all !

Probably we would feel inconvenient if there is no convenience stores around us, but as our childhood, if there was nothing to compare, we can live as what we are.

I myself often think we have enough of convenience stores. Please stop making it !