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A peek into Japan's convenience stores

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Re: A peek into Japan's convenience stores

#51

Post by tjpnz »

reedf1 wrote: post #18

Honestly these stores add a layer of functionality to Japanese life (along with vending machines) that increases QoL much beyond reasonable expectation. They have become a bit of a meme, but it's one thing I really miss from my brief time living there. They add affordable right-around-the-corner convenience to every situation, and that you would have to be much more wealthy in another country to expect.

The around the corner convenience has had a considerable impact on my QoL. Living in New Zealand previously I'd have to get into a car and drive somewhere to get anything done. It annoyed me but I didn't realise how much stress it was adding to my life until I moved to Tokyo. From where I live there are three convenience stores within 2-minutes walking distance. It comes with density which is 10x where I'm from.

Re: A peek into Japan's convenience stores

#52

Post by anuraaga »

snowman56789 wrote: post #4

Are they joking or is it really so common to spend nights at the office that convenience stores actually sell underwear?!

Underwear is indeed sold but the reason being spending nights at the office is probably mostly joking, hours can get long but not Elon long.

The underwear is for all the "Spend the night at xxx" situations you can probably imagine anywhere in the world (pun intended).

Re: A peek into Japan's convenience stores

#53

Post by glandium »

sacnoradhq wrote: post #37
snowman56789 wrote: post #4

Are they joking or is it really so common to spend nights at the office that convenience stores actually sell underwear?!

Japan has an unhealthy workaholic culture similar to America. It's worth noting that in Japan, there are also vending machines that sell used women's underwear.

> there are also vending machines that sell used women's underwear.

While the plural is technically true, it is a little disingenuous. There are very few, probably not enough to overflow the fingers of both hands (or even, maybe one hand) in the entirety of Japan.

Re: A peek into Japan's convenience stores

#55

Post by xyzzy123 »

I would love to know how Japanese convenience stores can be stocked - even in out of the way places - with fresh, nutritious-ish food that isn't super expensive.

I feel like there must be a huge and hidden (to me) supply chain to make this happen and that's the real story, have never seen this explained anywhere.

Most countries you just get "shelf stables", which implies this "invisible thing" is missing. The stores themselves are just the tip of the spear and I want to see what's behind them.

Re: A peek into Japan's convenience stores

#56

Post by phaerus_iconix »

throwaway290 wrote: post #50
wsc981 wrote: post #30

Seems it's the same with the 7-Eleven's and (I assume) FamilyMart's in Thailand as well. I know in 7-Eleven in Thailand it's possible to get car insurance, buy airplane tickets, probably concert tickets, etc... And also open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. I'm quite happy our village in Thailand recently got their own 7-Eleven. And it looks like excellent business for the people that started the franchise in our vil…

Even better in Taiwan. You get deliveries, pay bills, etc, along with much better food. Plus, many 7-Eleven stores in Thailand close overnight or on weekends, especially if it's not a busy area and there is little customers at 3 in the morning.

Thailand has delivery and bill payment too.

Re: A peek into Japan's convenience stores

#57

Post by throwaway290 »

phaerus_iconix wrote: post #56
throwaway290 wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even better in Taiwan. You get deliveries, pay bills, etc, along with much better food. Plus, many 7-Eleven stores in Thailand close overnight or on weekends, especially if it's not a busy area and there is little customers at 3 in the morning.

Thailand has delivery and bill payment too.

In Thailand you generally cannot buy something at an online shop and come retrieve it from your local 7/11 while in Taiwan it's often a practical and cheaper delivery mechanism

I don't mean delivery of products from 7/11 (to save what 2 minutes of walking?)

Re: A peek into Japan's convenience stores

#58

Post by bluepizza »

kizunajp wrote: post #9
bluepizza wrote: post #7

Thank you so much! Even for a fairly obsessive Japanese culture otaku, there was so much to learn in this article. Please keep them coming.

Thank you so much for this comment. It means a lot! Were you able to read both parts?

Yes. It is really nice to see some interesting research instead of the usual "Japan is a homogeneous collectivist society that blablabla".

Re: A peek into Japan's convenience stores

#59

Post by baerrie »

I miss these places so much. The nikuman and famichiki were my go-to breakfast along with a hot can of coffee and the occasional pack of cigs (where they had all of the nicotine levels labeled). Konbini have some of the few publically accessible trashcans in Japan as well.

Re: A peek into Japan's convenience stores

#60

Post by 082349872349872 »

jaipilot747 wrote: post #3

> The Large Scale Store Act of 1973 > Now, the small businesses could slow down the large businesses by 4-5 years or even completely freeze them out. Sounds like the law of unintended consequences caught up with them. If not for this law, they would have only had to contend with a few large shopping centers. Instead they now have to deal with one (much better) convenience store on practically every street!

Suffering the indignity of having goods and services coming to them (like roman patrons?), rather than they having to go to forage for goods and services (like roman clientele?)...
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