In 2010, Circle K Sunkus celebrates a key historical milestone, with the 30th anniversary of the opening of both the first Circle K and Sunkus stores in Japan. Over the past thirty years, the operating environment faced by the convenience store industry, not to mention customer needs, has undergone seismic changes. In response, Circle K Sunkus has implemented a range of reforms. We have moved onto the offensive by investing heavily in a new store information system and service category products. At the same time, in order to stay on top of recent changes in our earnings
structure, we have fortified our defenses through low-cost operations focused on quality. Based on recent developments, however, I'm convinced that now is the time to reaffirm a fundamental principle—that every retailing business ultimately depends on the customer. Staying true to this principle, we must embrace even bolder challenges in terms of new ideas and approaches so that we can capture the hearts of our customers.
Circle K Sunkus has developed three major original brands to enhance and refine the unique offerings that set it apart from competitors: the Cherie Dolce dessert selection, the rubetta pasta series and the Magokoro Jikomi Oishii Pan Seikatsu baked goods. Customers have shown strong support for each brand thanks to our insistence on offering only the finest-tasting products and an extensive, variety-filled product selection. In addition to developing these brands, we have also launched a "locally produced, locally consumed" product initiative that draws on distinctive local tastes and ingredients, and have taken advantage of newly installed in-store fryers to roll out new countertop foods. Elsewhere, we are jointly developing original Uny Group brand products by capturing synergies across this group. All this shows that there is no end in sight to Circle K Sunkus' drive to embrace even bolder challenges.
Meanwhile, convenience store service category products have been advancing by leaps and bounds in recent years. Circle K Sunkus too is strengthening its hand in services; the first priority is to make them even more convenient and enjoyable for customers. Whether offering new ATM services, accepting various electronic money payments, or launching a pickup service at stores for products purchased via Internet mail-order sites, we are improving our lineup of services day by day. I'm particularly excited about the prospects for offering many different kinds of content via our installed KARUWAZA STATION in-store multimedia terminals, which I am sure will open up new possibilities for service category products.
We need to be strong, determined and willing to change our thinking if we are to let go of past approaches and paradigms of success and transform ourselves to embrace new ways of moving forward. And in these times of tumultuous change, we will be called upon to continue implementing a variety of challenging reforms. Undaunted, Circle K Sunkus remains determined to take speedy action to develop stores that are even more endearing to customers. I look forward to your continued support and advice as we work to reach our goals.
