TOKYO - Lawson Inc. announced this week that is joining with farmers in the Kanto region to form a farming corporation to supply vegetables to its Lawson Store fresh-food convenience store chain, reports Nikkei.
"We'll sell pesticide-reduced and organic vegetables," said President Takeshi Niinami, who unveiled the plan. "We aim to grow quality vegetables."
The farming corporation will grow vegetables including Chinese cabbage, for the Kanto region, where about 60 percent of Lawson Store convenience stores are located. The stores also will promote local production for local consumption.
Lawson will gradually expand its agricultural operations depending on the progress of the farming corporation, notes the news source.
The Lawson Store, with 100 stores total, is operated by Lawson subsidiary Ninety-nine Plus Inc.