イトーヨーカドー“撤退ショック”引き継ぐ店が『黒船』と称される理由…とにかく低価格、肉の種類と安さが評判「ロピア」で地元スーパーも活性化へ

There's widespread unrest over Ito-Yokado's complete withdrawal from Hokkaido. Last week, it was announced that Ito-Yokado, which operates six stores in the prefecture, will be closing all of them. Shopper: "Oh no, that's troubling. The vegetables and fruits are cheap and fresh." "It'll be so sad when they're gone. The selection is great, and it's fun just to look around." The large store, which has operated throughout Hokkaido for half a century since opening in Obihiro City in 1975, is now completely withdrawing. Let's delve into the Ito-Yokado shock once more. Seven & i Holdings President Ryuichi Isaka: "We strongly recognize the need to improve the profitability and capital efficiency of our individual businesses, centered around Ito-Yokado..." Last March, Seven & i Holdings announced that it would close 14 unprofitable stores. Last Friday, the specific stores were revealed... It has been announced that all stores in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region will be closed sequentially starting this spring. Professor Takazumi Nishimura of Japan University of Economics (Distribution Business Management), an expert on distribution, said, "Ito-Yokado will close unprofitable stores in the regions and focus on profitable stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area, improving its business structure and creating a leaner structure." The company that will take over the businesses after the closures has also been announced. Of the six stores in Hokkaido, the Ario Sapporo and Obihiro stores will be taken over by Daiichi, a supermarket chain headquartered in Obihiro, while the Tonden and Kotoni stores will be taken over by the OIC Group, a supermarket chain with operations primarily in the Kanto region. In Sapporo, however, only the Fukuzumi store has yet to be taken over by a new company. Daiki Horiuchi, announcer "This is the Ito-Yokado Fukuzumi store. It's directly connected to the subway station and the bus terminal, so it's a very convenient location." A local woman "It's directly connected to the station, so it's very convenient on my way home from work. They sell a wide variety of things, so I go there often." The Ito-Yokado Fukuzumi store opened in 1995, the year after the Toho Subway Line was extended to Fukuzumi Station, as the Espa Fukuzumi store. It later changed its name and has been in business at this location for nearly 30 years. Since the Sapporo Dome opened in 2001, the store has become a popular destination for baseball and soccer fans, as well as music fans from all over the country, with sales areas tailored to artists performing at the dome. A woman who works nearby "(During events) it was incredibly busy. It always felt more exciting when there was a concert." However, when the Fighters moved their home base to Kitahiroshima City last year, the number of visitors to Sapporo Dome dropped dramatically. A local resident said: "Since it's directly connected to the subway, many people would stop by (Yokado) first before heading out. They occasionally have events, but they're not often crowded." Depending on the fate of the stores after they close, there are concerns that the impact on the local area could be widespread. So, as for the successor to the stores after they close, the OIC Group, which is taking over the Sapporo Tonden and Kotoni stores, is making its first foray into Hokkaido. This store has been nicknamed the "Black Ship." Why? MBS Announcer "Wow, there are so many people here, and it's bustling." This is Shoku Seikatsu Love Love Lopia in Fujiidera City, Osaka. The OIC Group, which operates Lopia, is headquartered in Kawasaki City and has approximately 90 stores nationwide. The secret to their popularity is... MBS Announcer "One broccoli head is 99 yen, or 106 yen with tax. Super cheap!" "Domestic pork offcuts are 69 yen per 100 grams!" Loppia, which started as a butcher shop, is especially known for its variety of meats and low prices. Pizza, made from scratch and baked in-store, is also a popular item. Their visually appealing sales floor, like a "food theme park," stimulates customers' desire to buy. A distribution industry expert commented on the OIC Group's expansion into Hokkaido: Professor Hisazumi Nishimura, Japan University of Economics "This is the OIC Group's first foray into Hokkaido, so it's no exaggeration to say it's like a 'black ship.' Hokkaido has a strong regional demand for bulk purchases. Since Hokkaido is a car-centric region, I think they took these regional characteristics into account when deciding to expand into Loppia." How will they compete with existing supermarkets in the prefecture? Professor Naozumi Nishimura, Japan University of Economics "It's possible that customers will initially flock to Lopia, but local supermarkets have their strengths. They can compete by offering ingredients that are only available locally and providing attentive, local services. This should be a win-win situation for both sides, leading to revitalization."...