The third convenience store chain in Japan, Lawson, decided to go hand-in-hand with Uber Eats to enhance its service. (Image via Disruptive.Asia)

Uber Eats collaborates with Lawson in Japan

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Market & Investment
Japan Market
Aug 28, 2019
2229
TOKYO - On Tuesday, a shocking announcement was made by the third-largest convenience store chain in Japan, Lawson. It had finalized a cooperation agreement with American online ride-hailing service, Uber, to deliver food through one of its service, Uber Eats.

The partnership was seen as Lawson’s action to get the upper hand against 7-11 and Familymart, its competitors.

Lawson announced that the delivery service would start as early as Thursday (29/9). Firstly, the delivery service would cover the central Tokyo area, especially Shinjuku & Shinagawa, testing waters before expanding its service to Lawson in other areas.

Lawson and Uber Eats conducted this joint delivery service for three months as a trial period. For starter, Lawson would deliver 100 products from its store in central Tokyo, including packaged meal, beverages, and other products. Whether the expansion will happen or not, Lawson and Uber Eats will conduct sales study from the experimental phase.

Uber has quite a difficult time in Japan, especially after having its ride-hailing service banned in 2015. Due to Article 78 of the Japanese Road Transportation Act, usage of a personal vehicle is restricted for commercial use. Therefore, after the 1-month trial in Japan, the government determined to restrict Uber’s service due to the said act.

Thus, Uber had to rely on Uber Eats to struggle in Japan. Starting in 2016 with only 150 restaurants in its partnership list, Uber Eats went to fame in Japan with about 10,000 including fast-food chains across 10 cities.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uber-japan-lawson/uber-eats-japan-convenience-store-lawson-form-delivery-tie-up-idUSKCN1VH0QA

Business , Market , Convenience-Store , Japan , Lawson , U.S , Uber-Eats