Industry News

The local industry registered its fourth consecutive year of growth thanks to both a rise in sales as well as in the number of outlets throughout the country. Convenience store sales in Japan reached a record high of 11,795.3 billion yen in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth, according to the Japan Franchise Association. The strong performance was driven by several factors, including increased demand from international visitors to Japan. Soft drinks and other products also saw strong sales, fueled by an extended period of hot weather throughout the year. By the end of 2024, the number of c-stores in Japan had increased to 55,736, an increase of 23 stores compared to the previous year. On a same-store basis, sales grew by 1.1% compared to the previous year. The rise in customers, which increased by 0.9%, was attributed to the expansion of low-priced products and the introduction of…

Nestlé Australia has unveiled a new $30 million investment in its Campbellfield factory in Victoria, the home of KitKat. The state-of-the-art technology will bring digital and AI capabilities that will improve the iconic KitKat wafer, and enable further KitKat innovation, while also supporting an increased production capacity. Nestlé General Manager Confectionery, Andrew Lawrey, shared that the investment is testament to Nestlé’s ongoing support for local manufacturing and to delivering new and delicious flavours for consumers. “KitKat fans love to see new ways to break – and the new technology we have installed in our factory allows us to create new flavours and fillings, textures and tastes! “Part of the investment is a new wafer oven, which will enhance the entire KitKat range by improving our wafer quality. We’re excited that this new technology will help us to deliver a crispier, more consistent ‘snap’ – the iconic break that KitKat is famous for. “There is a slight change in our wafer…

AI, customer loyalty, ordering platforms and employee feedback took center stage. The National Retail Federation (NRF) held its annual conference and expo at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, January 12-14. 1: AI Everywhere AI, of course, was extremely present—like Toshiba’s MxP Vision Kiosk. Toshiba described it as an “innovative self-checkout kiosk that utilizes computer vision and AI to automatically identify items at checkout for a faster, more efficient and seamless shopping experience. Part of the new MxP portfolio, this solution offers simplified and accurate checkout for shoppers and opt-in biometric payment options to expedite the checkout experience.” During the “Retailers moving from vision to value with AI” education session, Carrie Tharp, VP of global solutions and industries at Google Cloud, discussed how AI is constantly evolving and changing how retailers can utilize it to connect with customers, enhance customer service and personalize shopping. “Generative AI will be…

The new administration charts a path toward greater energy exploration, less regulation. Following his inauguration on Monday, President Trump has declared a national energy emergency. The order was invoked under the National Emergencies Act and, according to The Hill, directs the heads of federal agencies “to identify any emergency authorities they may have to facilitate the production or processing of energy.” The order also includes other directives, including “telling the head of the agency to consider issuing emergency fuel waivers that allow for the year-round sale of gasoline that contains high ethanol content,” The Hill reported. Another executive order, “Unleashing American Energy”, contains additional energy-related policy directions. Among them: During his inaugural address Trump said, “America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have—the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth and we are going to use it.…

Victoria will cap and lock fuel price rises in a cost-of-living shake up by the Allan Labor Government to help level the playing field between multinational fuel companies and Victorian families. Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Consumer Affairs Nick Staikos met with tradies and apprentices atVictoria University Werribee campus today to announce the Government’s Fair Fuel Plan, which will require fuel companies to publicly report their fuel price changes the day before they are in effect – andlock in those prices for 24 hours. Consumers know fuel prices fluctuate all the time – sometimes multiple times a day. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission data also shows that in 2023, Melbourne motorists could have saved up to $333 a year from filling up at the lowest point of fuel price cycles by securing the best deal. The Fair Fuel Plan won’t change everything, but it’s one extra tool at families’…