IP: Japanese convenience stores role in ecommerce

[Dave Farber <farber@cis.upenn.edu>]

>X-Sender: ajp@pop.glocom.ac.jp
>Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 20:50:35 +0900
>To: farber@cis.upenn.edu
>From: Adam Peake <ajp@glocom.ac.jp>
>Subject: Japanese convenience stores role in ecommerce
>
>Dave,   (for IP?)
>
>The JapanNet mailing list <http://www.egroups.com/group/jpnet> is a useful
>resource for anyone wanting to keep an eye on Japan's "dot.com" sector.
>
>Adam
>
>Adam Peake
>GLOCOM  Tokyo
><http://www.glocom.ac.jp>
>NEW <http://www.glocom.org>
>
> >From: "Ben Miller - ben@ben-miller.com . . . . ." <ben@ben-miller.com>
> >Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 18:37:26 +0900
> >Reply-To: jpnet@egroups.com
> >Subject: JPNET = JaPan interNETwork ==>
> >
> >
> >The Konbini's Role in E-Commerce
> >
> >In Japan, convenience stores - konbini- are set to play a
> >growing role in business-to-consumer E-Commerce. Since they
> >began sprouting up across Japan nearly two decades ago, these
> >(often tiny) stores have become increasingly sophisticated.
> >They have developed centralized computer networks to track
> >stock inventory, allowing operators to find out exactly what
> >sells, how quickly and where. In addition, most chains use
> >their computerized networks for payment collection services
> >for common household bills, including those for public
> >utilities, telephone, and courier delivery services.
> >
> >Because of their established networks and customer base,
> >konbini seem well positioned to handle the bulk of the
> >E-Commerce process, including everything from accepting
> >orders to settling payments. This has attracted the
> >attention of trading houses, financial institutions and
> >other firms in different sectors. As a result, convenience
> >stores have formed numerous alliances and plans have rapidly
> >been drawn up for the stores to make use of the Internet in
> >order to serve as distribution points.
> >
> >Seven Eleven Japan has teamed up with NEC, Nomura Research
> >Institute(NRI), Sony, Sony Marketing, Mitsui, Japan Travel
> >Bureau (JTB), and Kinotrope to create a new company that
> >will combine convenience stores and E-Commerce. Starting in
> >June, SevenDream.com will place terminals in convenience
> >stores and sell products through web sites designed for
> >mobile phone customers. Seven Dream will sell music, photo
> >services, gifts, digital books,travel services, and
> >financial services.
> >
> >Meanwhile,CircleK had teamed up with Speed Group, Sunkus,
> >Softbank Investments, Hikari Tsushin, and Uni to create a
> >company called e-Convenience that will provide comparable
> >services. All major operators are hurriedly installing ATMs,
> >too, which will likely spur more spending.
> >
> >Learn more about the konbini's role by visiting the
> >following links:
> >
> >ARTICLES
> >
> >Computing Japan: Convenience stores boost Japan's wired economy
> >
> ><http://www.computingjapan.com/magazine/issues/1999/oct99/docs/oct99_conv 
> enience>stores.html>
> >
> >Asiaweek:The Konbini Life
> > <http://www.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/foc/2000/04/18/>
> >
> >ZDNet:Japan convenience stores battle for e-commerce business
> > <http://www.zdnetasia.com/stories/0,10000007,10049992,00.html>
> >
> >KONBINI SITES
> >(Note: these pages are mostly in Japanese with some investor
> >relations information in English)
> >
> >am/pm Japan
> > <http://www.ampm.co.jp/>
> >
> >Circle K
> > <http://www.circlek.co.jp/>
> >
> >Family Mart
> > <http://www.family.co.jp/>
> >
> >Lawson
> > <http://www.lawson.co.jp/>
> >
> >Seven-Eleven Japan
> > <http://www.sej.co.jp/>
> >
> >7dream
> > <http://www.7dream.com/>
> >
> >Sunkus
> > <http://www.sunkus.co.jp/>
> >
> >
> >_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
> >Ben Miller
> >ben@ben-miller.com
> >[+81] 090.96855075
> >www.ben-miller.com
> >-
> >JPNET = JaPan interNETwork mailing list
> >read on the web: www.egroups.com/group/jpnet
> >subscribe: blank email to jpnet-subscribe@egroups.com
> >-
> >Dr. B.L. Miller
> >Director
> >Cross Border Transactions
> >Hikari Tsushin Capital, Inc.
> >tel [+81 3] 5775.3945 (direct)
> >tel [+81 3] 3402.2211 (general)
> >fax [+81 3] 3402.2269 (not private)
> >bmiller@ht-c.com
> >_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
> >
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> >
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