There are many types of supermarkets in Japan, from those commonly found at stations like “Seijo Ishii,” to friendly supermarkets like “Life,” and even the “Tamade” supermarket, which is only found in Osaka.
This time, we will introduce a supermarket that is well-known both in Japan and in many other countries, “AEON.” Let’s dive deeper into this Japanese supermarket!
Introduction to AEON
The parent company of AEON supermarket is AEON Group (イオン), which focuses on retail networks, development, and financial services in Japan.
Its headquarters is located in Chiba, with branches in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
They have various facilities such as shopping malls, supermarkets, and department stores, with a total capital of over 2.2 trillion yen.
AEON’s predecessor, “Okadaya,” merged with Futagi and Shiroso in 1969 to form “JUSCO Corporation,” with supermarkets as its primary focus.
They quickly expanded their business and by the 1980s, they ranked fourth in the Japanese retail industry.
Additionally, they developed the convenience store chain “MINISTOP” and other branches.
AEON then expanded overseas and became one of the key players in Japan’s retail industry. After the retail market changes and the entry of foreign companies in the 1980s, JUSCO began acquiring competitors and in 2001, the company changed its name to “AEON Co., Ltd.”
As of February 2024, AEON completed its internal merger and now has over 300 stores worldwide.
One of the companies acquired by AEON, “Hachibaihan,” later changed its name to “Maxvalu Tokai Co., Ltd.,” which is now known as the Maxvalu supermarket.
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Strategies Used
For those who have shopped at AEON, you must have felt that this supermarket is always evolving.
With experience in transforming the supermarket ecosystem, AEON realized that if they didn’t create a unique path, they wouldn’t survive for long.
Therefore, after 2010, in addition to unifying all retail brands under the name “AEON,” they began designing shopping malls that combined supermarkets with the theme of “life.”
AEON established large shopping centers at train stations, easily accessible areas, or near residential areas.
They created the “AEON STYLE” concept, which combines supermarkets, dining areas with seating, fashion, household items, electronics, and even cinemas.
This way, people visit the supermarket not just to shop, but also to enjoy life.
As a result, AEON has successfully maintained visitor stability and created attraction, making the supermarket not just a place to shop, but an exciting destination.
Must-Buy Items
AEON is easily recognizable by its large pink sign that can be seen from afar.
Inside the spacious store, they offer a wide variety of items, from fresh products, processed foods, cooking seasonings, and many other options.
AEON also has its own brand, “TOPVALU,” which offers food products, clothing, electronics, and seasonal items with a commitment to quality that is safe and guaranteed, and highly favored by consumers.
Some AEON stores feature self-serve ready-to-eat food areas, where visitors can choose containers and pick the desired salads or processed foods, then weigh them.
AEON also often has dining or coffee areas where customers can enjoy food after shopping. For locals, shopping at AEON can be a fun and relaxing activity, while for tourists, it’s a refreshing new experience!
“AEON” is a large group that not only owns AEON supermarkets, AEON Bank, and the Talbots brand, but also has shares in various other companies such as TSURUHA Drug and Welcia drugstores.
Its business is very diverse and can be considered a representation of the Japanese retail industry.
So, when you visit the next AEON supermarket, try to observe more about this company that “started from a supermarket, but is now much more than just a supermarket.”
