1. How 7-Eleven Began in the United States as an Ice Seller
7-Eleven began in Dallas, Texas, in 1927, about 100 years ago. It began as a store for a company called Southland Ice, which sold ice blocks [1]. At that time, electric refrigerators were not common in homes. People used ice to keep their food cold. The manager of the ice store noticed that customers wanted more than just ice. He started stocking bread and milk to meet their needs. This small change marked the beginning of today's convenience stores [1].
2. How the First 7-Eleven Opened in Japan in 1974
The first 7-Eleven in Japan opened on May 15, 1974, in Toyosu, Tokyo [2]. Toshifumi Suzuki of Ito-Yokado partnered with the Southland Corporation to create York Seven, which is now 7-Eleven Japan, in November 1973. The very first store was small, measuring 25 tsubo (about 83 square meters), and it was a renovated sake shop [2]. Despite its modest size, the sales exceeded expectations, showing that this new type of shop was a big hit.
3. Where Lawson and FamilyMart Got Their Start
The name "Lawson" comes from J.J. Lawson, who ran a milk store in Ohio, USA. Around 1939, his shop was known locally as "Lawson’s Milk Store," and this is the root of the brand [3]. The first Lawson store in Japan opened on June 14, 1975, in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture [3]. FamilyMart started even earlier. In 1973, it began as an experimental small store in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, run by the Seiyu company [4][7].
4. Why Convenience Stores Started Opening 24 Hours a Day
The first 7-Eleven store in Japan to operate 24 hours a day was in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, in 1975 [5]. In the United States, experiments showed that staying open at night increased sales. This data reached Japan, and other chains followed suit. Lawson started 24-hour service in 1977, and FamilyMart began in 1978 [5].
5. The Delivery and Support Systems That Keep Stores Running All Day
For a convenience store to stay open 24 hours, many systems work behind the scenes. Bento boxes and onigiri (rice balls) are delivered by truck multiple times a day. To decide how much to deliver next, stores use the POS system at the register. This machine records which items sold and how many. This data helps determine the next delivery amount, supporting the smooth operation of Japanese convenience stores.
6. Why People Are Rethinking 24-Hour Convenience Stores
For a long time, 24-hour service was considered normal. However, this is now being reconsidered. In 2019, a store manager in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, shortened his store’s hours because of a shortage of staff [6]. This event drew major attention. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry set up a study group on new ways for convenience stores. Additionally, the Japan Fair Trade Commission stated in 2020 that forcing 24-hour operations could be a problem [6][8]. The debate is now happening at the national level.
7. How You Can Investigate Convenience Stores Yourself
When you visit a nearby convenience store, try observing it. You can check the business hours. Is it open 24 hours, or does it have set times? Compare different stores. Ask your parents or grandparents about convenience stores from their time. What was different? It helps to write down one thing you are curious about, such as how often stores receive deliveries. This can be a starting point for further research. If you want to check a store’s hours, look them up or visit with an adult.