Japan’s Yamato rejects Lawson’s new offer to handle parcels
Yamato Transport Co. (TSE:9064) on Wednesday turned down a fresh proposal from Lawson Inc. (TSE:2651) to continue handling its parcel delivery services alongside rival Japan Post’s similar offering, saying the company and the government-backed entity “are not on a level playing field.”
Lawson convenience stores on Nov. 1 will start serving as pickup spots for Japan Post’s low-cost parcel delivery services, and this prompted Yamato Transport, the nation’s largest home-to-home parcel delivery service operator, to cancel a contract with Lawson.
Under the previous contract, Yamato was designated as the sole distributor of parcels through Lawson’s nationwide convenience store network.
Lawson said Wednesday that it has proposed a new contract to Yamato without an exclusivity clause.
Wishing to continue to serve Yamato even after the previous contract was nullified, Lawson President Takeshi Niinami said, “It is up to consumers to choose goods and services that they find best.”
The presence of both Yamato Transport and Japan Post parcel services at Lawson stores will represent “free competition, benefiting our customers both in terms of quality and convenience,” he added.
Yamato Transport officials said they will formally reject the new proposal.
“People know we (Yamato Transport and Japan Post) are not competing on equal terms,” one Yamato official said.
(Nikkei)
