Lawson plans to expand its overseas stores to 14,000 in six years, matching its domestic footprint, Nikkei reported Wednesday.

The retailer will focus on Southeast Asia, using franchises and direct stores, and is exploring further international growth. Currently, Lawson operates 7,400 stores abroad, with 14,600 in Japan, according to the report.

In partnership with Mitsubishi Corp. (TYO:8058) and KDDI, Lawson aims to use data-driven strategies to develop products and services that cater to local tastes, the report said.

The global convenience store market, worth $663.5 billion in 2024, is expected to grow 30% by 2029, with Japanese chains gaining popularity for items like rice balls and sandwiches, according to the report.

To support growth, Lawson plans to build production and logistics networks for key products. While facing increasing domestic competition, the company anticipates modest store growth in Japan in 2025, the report said.

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