ratso, thnx for a smarter perspective. In Japan and other Asian countries, population densities, smaller homes (and smaller refrigerators) as well as cultural choices generally encourage everyday shopping which is why convenience stores are a big part of the landscape. They're also different and, yes, better and more fun than the convenience stores Americans are accustomerd to. See below.
The numbers you are comparing to in the U.S. are certainly pretty crazy and don't seem plausible. However, by Asian standards, Haorizi's stated goals aren't really that out of line.
In the 7-Eleven link you provided it shows that there are 11,125 stores in Japan. Based on a population of 127mm, that's about one store per 11,000 people.
The Japanese have turned the convenience store almost into an art form to the point where it has inspired a blog by an American. At this point, I'm not saying that Haorizi should offer sophisticated chocolate doo-dads, but there are lessons, IMO, in the breadth of products and services.
I had a friend who was a konbini fiend. He always knew everything about every product. I told him he should start a Web site, but he couldn't be bothered. I really liked the idea of having a total niche Web site that nobody else was doing, so I stole my own idea and started up Konbini Life. I really like how many changes the convenience stores in Japan go through. I could probably go home to the States 10 years from now and navigate my way through a convenience store blindfolded. Nothing changes there. Here it's always a new adventure. You never know what you're going to get from week to week.
Besides a constant rotation of snacks, you can also pay all of your utility bills, buy tickets for concerts, movies, sporting events, etc. Not to mention banking. Their food is top quality — uh . . . comparatively — and I've actually had people refuse to sell me something because it's three minutes past the "expiration time." Also, the erotic magazines aren't in bags, so you can look at them while you wait for your girlfriend to come out of the bathroom.
If I had taken that step, and done the 7-Eleven Japan numbers, I would have seen that what seemed to be outrageous goals by Good Life, are indeed more realistic.
See, for those who have bashed me for my DD, at least I'm willing to investigate things a little further and think out of the box... and my investigation helped foster these results.
in this particular place in the US where i live, supermarkets are in competition, 2 supermarkets are in the same intersection and another 2 supermarkets are in another intersection 1.5 miles from the former one . moving east just 1.5 miles is costco . another 1.5 miles is another huge supermarket. moving north 1 mile is walmart . etc etc. this does not include gasoline stations which doubles as a convenience store ! You are very wrong my friend or u are seeing the rural portion , like the mountains of tennessee !
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