Japanese store chain Lawson’s parcel business up on Japan Post tie-up
The parcel delivery business of convenience store operator Lawson Inc increased by a third in the first month since teaming up with Japan Post, Kyodo News reported.
The number of parcels handled at Lawson’s 7,900 outlets nationwide between November 18 and December 17 totaled about 765,000, with each outlet handling an average of 3.2 per day, up from 2.4 the preceding month, Kyodo reported, citing data provided jointly by Lawson and the state-run postal service.
The volume was up 12.7 pct from a year earlier, it said.
Lawson, the second-largest convenience store chain in Japan, terminated a contract to serve as the exclusive agent for Yamato Transport Co, the nation’s largest private-sector parcel delivery company, to begin accepting packages for delivery by Japan Post.
Yamato reacted by filing a lawsuit against Japan Post, alleging that its parcel delivery business expansion through Lawson’s nationwide store network is unfair as long as the government service receives preferential tax and other treatment.
The government of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has announced plans to begin privatizing Japan Post in 2007.
