SHANGHAI - Entering the Metro Town Lawson convenience store in downtown Shanghai is like stepping into the anime world of Detective Conan: The Phantom of Baker Street, the Japanese Daily Press reports.

The popular Asian anime film is loosely based on Arthur Conan Doyle??s Sherlock Holmes books. The convenience store has rewrapped its storefront to resemble the famed detective??s Baker Street, London, home, including a red telephone booth.

Shoppers are greeted with an outside billboard: "Welcome to the mysterious world of Conan." Employees dress as Detective Conan in brown pants, an Oxford shirt, a beige-and-brown cape, baseball cap and large eyeglasses to complete the scene.

In addition to its usual merchandise, customers can purchase merchandise from the film, such as iPhone cases, t-shirts, pens, notebooks, mugs, clocks and mirrors. Sales from June to December 2012 rose five times more than other Lawson units. The Conan theme debuted in November 2012.

Wu Yongsheng, who manages the Conan store, said the theme has definitely brought in customers. "Many of them come over and take pictures, which helps boost business. We were nervous about posing for them at first, but we have gotten used to that," he said.

In June 2012, Lawson redid a location in the Ultraman theme, based on another anime movie. According to Wu, Lawson is negotiating to open more anime-themed convenience stores in China soon.