Happy New Year! As we enter 2010, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest greetings to all.
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. The first Circle K store opened for business in March 1980 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, while the first Sunkus store opened in November 1980 in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. Let me take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to all the customers who have chosen Circle K and Sunkus stores throughout the years up to this day. Going forward, Circle K Sunkus will continue taking a range of initiatives to develop convenience store chains that capture the hearts of customers and franchisees.
With sales dropping sharply from July 2009 onward due to a substantial decline in consumer spending and other factors, 2009 was an extremely challenging year. And with still no sign of any improvement in consumer spending on the horizon, 2010 will be a crucial year for Circle K Sunkus—one that will put our very survival at stake.
To ensure our survival in this climate, we must develop convenience store chains that are preferred and actually visited by customers. We need to go back to basics and develop “enjoyable stores,” “enjoyable sales areas,” and “enjoyable products.” In fact, I have chosen “Enjoy” as our watchword for this task. I want everyone at Circle K Sunkus to once again work as one to develop sales areas, stores and products that our customers can “Enjoy.”
I also want Circle K Sunkus to try more and more new things, without fear of failure. I want us to embrace new challenges—things that only Circle K Sunkus can do—instead of imitating others. Although this might seem extreme, one success for every ten failures would still be acceptable. We cannot break through the current impasse by merely following the footsteps of other companies.
In 2010, Circle K Sunkus will substantially bolster franchisee support such as sales countermeasures and sales-promotion support measures. In the prevailing challenging business environment, franchisees are now bearing the brunt of the hardship. I’m determined to stand side by side with our franchisees to get us through these difficult times, so that franchisees will ultimately feel glad to have joined Circle K Sunkus.
One new initiative this year will be to reinvent convenient stores like never before through tie-ups with different business sectors. This includes, for example, the business tie-up with cocokara fine HOLDINGS Inc., which manages the SEGAMI and SEIJO drugstore chains announced the other day, Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) trials with Toyota Motor Corporation and other developments. To further enhance customer convenience, we will also work hard to upgrade services through such means as rolling out new content for KARUWAZA STATION in-store multimedia terminals and making more effective use of the value-packed KARUWAZA CLUB membership club. Another initiative is a 30th Anniversary Campaign for Circle K and Sunkus stores, which is planned for autumn 2010.
In closing, although boosting sales is important, there is no silver bullet for increasing sales. The only source of strength that comes close is our ability to “Change.” I want everyone at Circle K Sunkus to pull together as one, and act on new ideas, in order to rise above the challenges before us.
I would like to wish the best for all of you in 2010.
January 1, 2010
