Seria, one of the ?100 shop providers that thrived during Japan¡¯s three decades of deflation, is betting shoppers will continue to flock to its stores even as rivals move beyond low-priced merchandise.
¡°Inflation is an opportunity for us,¡± President Eiji Kawai said in an interview. Demand at Seria¡¯s 2,000-plus stores selling everything from snacks and stationery to household cleaning supplies is already spilling over from competitors, he said.
Seria¡¯s strategy highlights a pivotal moment for Japan¡¯s ?100 shop sector, which grew during decades of deflation but now faces sustained inflation and rising input costs. While market leader Daiso, Can Do and other competitors test higher price tiers, Seria is betting it can attract cost-conscious consumers and reinforce its brand as prices climb across the economy.
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