Lawson (store)

File:Lawson's Chip Dip.jpg from a Circle K store in Bowling Green, Ohio|205x205px]]

In 1939, dairy owner James "J.J." Lawson started a store at his Broad Boulevard dairy plant in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, to sell his milk.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/food-stores/4474276-1.html |title=Dairy Mart Uncovers Piece of History |magazine=Convenience Store News |date=16 April 2002 |via=AllBusiness.com |access-date=19 December 2007 |archive-date=10 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210120928/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/food-stores/4474276-1.html |url-status=dead }} The Lawson's Milk Company grew into a chain of stores, primarily in Ohio. Lawson was bought out by Consolidated Foods in 1959.

Lawson's neighborhood convenience stores were common in Ohio from the 1960s through the mid-1980s, selling milk, bread, eggs, orange juice, and specialty items such as deli counter "chipped" style ham and sour cream potato chip dips. Locations also extended into neighboring states such as Pennsylvania, where Lawson's had a presence in the western portion of the state, including Pittsburgh.

Consolidated Foods was renamed Sara Lee in 1985.[http://www.saralee.com/AboutSaraLee/TheSaraLeeHeritage.aspx The Sara Lee Heritage] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118132228/http://saralee.com/AboutSaraLee/TheSaraLeeHeritage.aspx |date=2008-01-18 }}. Sara Lee website, accessed 19 January 2008.{{cite web|url=http://saraleedesserts.com/about-us/|title=Sara Lee - About Us|website=Sara Lee|publisher=Hillshire Brands|access-date=7 October 2016|archive-date=20 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120112727/http://saraleedesserts.com/about-us/|url-status=dead}} At about the same time, Lawson's stores in the United States were sold to Dairy Mart, a smaller chain of convenience stores located in Enfield, Connecticut. Dairy Mart moved its headquarters to Cuyahoga Falls, renamed the Lawson's stores, and operated the chain as Dairy Mart for the next 17 years. Dairy Mart was sued by the American Family Association, after a Dairy Mart manager in Ohio complained that the company's policy of selling pornography subjected her to sexual and religious harassment.Olson, Walter. [http://reason.com/news/show/30460.html For Heaven's Sake] Religious accommodation and other openings for big-government conservatism. Reason magazine, December 1997. Retrieved 19 December 2007. The court case, Stanley v. Lawson Co., was seen as a test of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.Chmara, Theresa and Mach, Daniel. [http://www.ftrf.org/ala/ourassociation/othergroups/ftrf/ftrfinaction/jennerblockmemo/workenvironment.htm Civil Liability for an Alleged Hostile Work Environment Related to Patron or Employee Internet Use]. Memorandum Jenner & Block, 2 February 2004. Published on the website of the Freedom to Read Foundation. Retrieved 19 December 2007. See also 993 F. Supp. 1084 in the Federal Supplement. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Lawson.{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/993/1084/2286188/|title=Stanley v. Lawson Co., 993 F. Supp. 1084 (N.D. Ohio 1997)|website=Justia Law}}

In 2002, Alimentation Couche-Tard, a Canada-based convenience store conglomerate, bought the assets and name of Dairy Mart. Most of the former Dairy Mart stores, which were either originally Lawson's stores, or were located in communities in which Lawson's once had a presence, were converted to the Circle K brand. Due to demand from consumers, it was announced that Lawson's Chip Dip would continue to be sold no matter what the name of the store.[http://www.cspnet.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=60CCC21CAABB4C7DA03B606E5774C9F7&AudID=8A21B37C3A8F4D31BD4DFF616F7C7585 Dairy Marts Renamed]. CSP Daily News, July 2004. Retrieved 19 December 2007.{{cite news |url=http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/lisa-abraham-lawson-s-stores-prosper-in-japan-1.152324 |title=Lisa Abraham: Lawson's stores prosper in Japan |access-date=2019-10-12 |publisher=Akron Beacon Journal |date=January 13, 2009 | location=Akron | first=Lisa | last=Abraham |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911070635/https://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/lisa-abraham-lawson-s-stores-prosper-in-japan-1.152324 |archive-date=2012-09-11}} Some independently owned Dairy Mart stores in Ohio survived independent of Circle K and continued to use the Dairy Mart name and final logo under license from Alimentation Couche-Tard. Nine stores still licensed the Dairy Mart brand as of 2022.

Circle K retains a large presence in Ohio to this day due to the enduring legacy of Lawson's, especially in Northeast Ohio and Columbus, primarily competing with Speedway. However, many of the former Lawson's stores under Dairy Mart in Pennsylvania closed during the late 1990s, and only a few survived by the time Circle K took over the locations. Much of this can be attributed to stronger competition in Pennsylvania from 7-Eleven and Altoona-based Sheetz, as well as UniMart and United Refining Company. Additionally, unlike in Ohio, Dairy Mart failed to invest in fuel sales at its Pennsylvania stores. Circle K retains a small presence in Western Pennsylvania today, but unlike Ohio is a non-factor in the area going up against Sheetz, 7-Eleven/Speedway, GetGo, and locally owned Coen Markets.

File:Lawson Station (16164813099).jpg, Tokyo]]

File:Lawson Shingu Misaki3.JPG, Fukuoka, Japan]]

In 1974, Consolidated signed a formal agreement with The Daiei, Inc., a retail company which also ran a supermarket chain, to open the first Lawson stores in Japan. On April 15, 1975, Daiei Lawson Co., Ltd. was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Daiei. The first store opened in Sakurazuka, Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, in June 1975. In September 1979 the official name was changed to Lawson Japan, Inc. The Mitsubishi Corporation became the main shareholder in 2001.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

Lawson is one of the biggest convenience store chains in Japan, following 7-Eleven and FamilyMart. All of the usual Japanese convenience store goods, such as magazines, video games, manga, soft drinks, onigiri, pastry roulette and bento are available. Lawson has occasionally collaborated on tie-ins with various companies, including Koei's PlayStation 3 game Dynasty Warriors 7.{{cite web|url=http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/01/21/dynasty_warriors_7_lawsons/|title=Dynasty Warriors 7 Gets Extremely Inappropriate Collaboration Content|author=Anoop Gantayat|publisher=Andriasang|date=2011-01-21|access-date=2011-01-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124002737/http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/01/21/dynasty_warriors_7_lawsons/|archive-date=2011-01-24}} In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, a Lawson store in author Hirohiko Araki's native Sendai was remodeled to look like the "Owson" store that appears in part 4 of the series.{{cite web |title=Jojo's Bizarre Adventure's Owson Store Recreated in Real Life |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-07-23/jojo-bizarre-adventure-owson-store-recreated-in-real-life |work=Anime News Network |access-date=2012-12-05}} In late 2013, a crossover with All Japan Pro Wrestling saw Triple Crown heavyweight wrestling champion Kohei Suwama appear in ads and even work the till for a photo-op in a Tokyo location. In early 2016, a Lawson-sponsored Power Cube was introduced into the online game Ingress. DDM and Kadokawa's Kantai Collection also tapped Lawson in limited promotional materials, featuring character representations of shipgirls such as Kashima in Lawson crew outfits, whose popularity persisted long after the promo.

File:LawsonIN.jpg, Tokyo]]

To date, Lawson operates over 11,384 stores.{{cite web | url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/08/business/japanese-convenience-store-chain-going-healthy/#.UmzXzr-lf-k | title=Japanese convenience store chain going healthy | work=The Japan Times | date=8 October 2013 | access-date=27 October 2013 | author=Kameda, Masaaki}} They are found in all 47 prefectures of Japan, as well as China, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and United States (see below). In 2014, the company announced plans to open stores specifically designed for elderly consumers.{{cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/1.3105984|title=Lawson: Japanische Kette plant eigene Supermärkte für Senioren|newspaper=Faz.net|via=www.faz.net|last1=Germis|first1=Carsten}}

In September 2014, Lawson announced that it would acquire Japanese chain Seijo Ishii Co. for around $503 million from Marunouchi Capital.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-seijoishii-m-a-lawson-announcement-idUSKCN0HP04Y20140930 Lawson to buy supermarket chain Seijo Ishii for $500 million]. Reuters, 30 September 2014

In October 2016, Lawson announced it was partnering with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. After receiving the appropriate license from the Japanese Financial Services Agency, the move would allow Lawson stores to offer cash withdrawal, deposit and transfer services, over and above the ATM services that are already provided.{{cite news|title=Lawson to enter banking business in 2018|url=https://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/lawson-to-enter-banking-business-in-2018|access-date=6 October 2016|agency=Japan Today|publisher=GPlusMedia Co., Ltd.|date=6 October 2016}}

In February 2017, Lawson became a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corp.{{cite news|title=Lawson chief bets on health, tech as future of convenience|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/03/22/business/corporate-business/lawson-chief-bets-health-tech-future-convenience/|publisher=Japantimes|date=22 March 2018}}{{cite news|title=Announcement of Results of Tender Offer for Shares in Lawson, Inc. and Acquisition of Lawson, Inc. as a Subsidiary|url=https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/pr/archive/2017/html/0000031911.html|publisher=Mitsubishicorp PR|date=10 February 2017}}

In 2005, Lawson opened its first "Lawson 100" store, where items are 100 yen plus 5 yen tax for a total of 105 yen.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lawson.jp/en/about/history/|title=Our History | ABOUT US | Lawson|website=www.lawson.jp}}

In July 2024, Lawson delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange following its takeover by KDDI.{{Cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/07/adbbfd904d70-convenience-store-chain-lawson-delisted-after-24-yrs-on-tokyo-bourse.html|title=Convenience store chain Lawson delisted after 24 yrs on Tokyo bourse|first=KYODO|last=NEWS|website=Kyodo News+}}

As of May 2012, Lawson had solar equipment at 20 of its stores, but the company announced in June 2012 that it would install solar panels at 2,000 of its 10,000 Japanese stores.Tokyo Weekender [http://www.tokyoweekender.com/2012/05/solar-convenience-stores/ Solar Convenience Stores May 9, 2012] Retrieved on September 26, 2012 It was estimated that each store would generate about 11,000 kWh per year. Just under 2,000 kWh of this would go toward climate control and other in-house uses, which would account for about 1% of each store's power consumption. The rest of the electricity would be sold under Japan's feed-in tariff system that came into operation on July 1, 2012. It was estimated that the company's income from the power generated by the 2,000 stores would come to more than 700 million yen a year.Nikkei [http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20120629D2906N03.htm Lawson To Generate Solar Power At 2,000 Stores June 29, 2012] Retrieved on September 26, 2012

Lawson planned to install solar panels at 1,000 stores in the 2012–2013 financial year, and 1,000 more in the 2013–2014 financial year. It chose solar panels from Solar Frontier, along with the same company's online monitoring system, for the first 1,000 stores.Solar Frontier [http://www.solar-frontier.com/eng/news/2012/C007360.html Japanese Convenience Store Chain Lawson Chooses Solar Frontier Panels July 9, 2012] Retrieved on September 26, 2012

Lawson has more than 5,200 stores in China, which are found in and around six major cities: Chongqing, Beijing, Shenyang, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan. The Shanghai region is the largest, with more than 2,000 locations.{{cite web|url=http://lawson.jp/en/store/oversea/|title=Oversea Stores | Store | Lawson|website=lawson.jp}}

In August 2011, Lawson opened its first Indonesian store in Jakarta.http://www.halojepang.com/ekonomi-bisnis/2759-kerjasama-dengan-midi-utama-indonesia-lawson-buka-gerai-pertama-di-kemang-jakarta{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In Indonesia, Lawson is a subsidiary of Alfamidi (PT Midi Utama Indonesia Tbk),{{cite web|url=http://lawson.jp/en/oversea/indonesia/|title=LAWSON Indonesia|website=lawson.jp}} a sister company of Alfamart.

File:Lawson's Honolulu.jpg, Honolulu, Hawaii]]With the establishment of "Lawson USA Hawaii, Inc.", Lawson returned to the U.S. market, with two locations in Honolulu opening on July 7, 2012.[http://www.lawson.co.jp/company/news/054271/] Lawson Opening in Hawaii One of the stores is in the Sheraton Waikiki, while the other is in the Moana Hotel.[http://www.lawson.co.jp/company/news/063004/] Two Lawsons Opened in Honolulu{{cite news |last=Abraham |first=Lisa |date=July 8, 2012 |title=Lawson's returns to the U.S. |url=http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/lawson-s-returns-to-the-u-s-1.319016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710230638/http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/lawson-s-returns-to-the-u-s-1.319016 |archive-date=2012-07-10 |access-date=2019-10-12 |publisher=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron}}

Further expansion in both Hawaii and the mainland U.S. is planned.[http://www.kitv.com/news/money/Lawson-Station-prepares-for-grand-opening/-/8905154/15430560/-/eo6oye/-/index.html Lawson Station prepares for grand opening] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621010538/http://www.kitv.com/news/money/Lawson-Station-prepares-for-grand-opening/-/8905154/15430560/-/eo6oye/-/index.html|date=2013-06-21}}

In 2013, Lawson began opening stores in Thailand under the name Lawson 108. The stores are run as a joint venture between Lawson Japan and the Thai consumer goods giant Saha Group.{{Cite web |url=http://thailand.lawson.jp/information/2013/02/000005.html |title=News | LAWSON108 |access-date=2013-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001082255/http://thailand.lawson.jp/information/2013/02/000005.html |archive-date=2013-10-01 |url-status=dead }}

Lawson Asia Pacific and Puregold Price Club formed a joint venture under the name PG Lawson Company Inc. They opened their first branch in Manila, on March 30, 2015. Under the partnership, Lawson will provide its expertise in convenience store's know-how and product development while Puregold will provide its expertise in product procurement and localized knowledge of retail consumers. They plan to open 500 stores by 2020.{{cite web|url=http://lawson.jp/en/news/2015/03/we-have-set-to-open-the-first-lawson-store-in-the-philippines-on-march-30th.html|title=News Release | LAWSON|website=lawson.jp|access-date=2015-03-30|archive-date=2019-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915232104/http://lawson.jp/en/news/2015/03/we-have-set-to-open-the-first-lawson-store-in-the-philippines-on-march-30th.html|url-status=dead}} However, in 2018, Puregold sold its 70 percent stake to Lawson after the said company exited the convenience store business.{{cite news |last1=Dumlao-Abadilla|first1=Doris|url=https://business.inquirer.net/249913/puregold-exits-lawson-convenience-store-business|title=Puregold exits Lawson convenience store business|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=April 27, 2018 |access-date=February 16, 2021}} Despite the Puregold exit, the Philippine branches of Lawson continued to operate until they found a new partnership.

In 2019, Lawson has partnered with Ayala Corporation and struck a deal of partnership, continuing to expand its footprint in the country to 500 stores by 2024. The store chain is also considering a collaboration with Ayala's online retail business, such as contributing convenience stores to be used as product pickup depots as well as the operational tie-up with a logistics group company.{{cite web |last1=Yao|first1=Takayuki|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Retail/Lawson-plans-tenfold-jump-in-Philippine-convenience-stores|title=Lawson plans tenfold jump in Philippine convenience stores|website=Nikkei Asia |date=October 11, 2019 |access-date=February 16, 2021}}

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{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Lawson (store)|Lawson}}

• {{Official website|http://www.lawson.co.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}
• [http://www.lawson.co.jp/company/e/ Corporate information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910034050/http://www.lawson.co.jp/company/e/ |date=2007-09-10 }} {{in lang|en}}
• [http://www.chinalawson.com.cn/ Lawson China] {{in lang|zh}}
• [http://www.bjlawson.com.cn/ Lawson Beijing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815145205/http://bjlawson.com.cn/ |date=2020-08-15 }} {{in lang|zh}}
• [http://www.dllawson.com.cn/ Lawson Dalian] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807072555/http://www.dllawson.com.cn/ |date=2020-08-07 }} {{in lang|zh}}
• [http://www.lawson.com.cn/ Hualian Lawson (in Shanghai)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116113307/http://www.lawson.com.cn/ |date=2013-01-16 }} {{in lang|zh-hans}}
• [http://www.cqlawson.com.cn/ Lawson Chongqing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807072640/https://www.cqlawson.com.cn/ |date=2020-08-07 }} {{in lang|zh}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170221184408/http://www.lawson108.com/en/ Lawson 108 (in Thailand)]
• [http://www.lawson-philippines.com/ Lawson Philippines]
• [http://lawson-indonesia.com/ Lawson Indonesia]
• [https://www.lawson.jp/en/oversea/hawaii/ Lawson USA Hawaii]

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Category:1939 establishments in Ohio

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Category:Convenience stores of Japan

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