Total sales rose 3.5% year on year to 125,392 million yen, while existing store sales declined 0.5%. Average daily sales per store were 519,000 yen, and the average amount spent per customer increased 0.1% to 602 yen. The average number of customers per store per day was 862, down 0.6% year on year. Although the average temperature on many days in August was higher than a typical year, there were many typhoons, with a number making landfall in Japan. This and other factors had a significant impact on sales, particularly in Western Japan. In Hokkaido and the Tohoko region were comparatively good, supporting robust sales.

In the rice dish category, a key area of focus for LAWSON, rice ball products continued to make a strong showing, although they could not make an impact on the overall trend in the rice dish category due to slow sales of boxed lunches. In response, LAWSON plans to launch new products going forward.

Sales of cold noodles were strong until around mid-August, supported by high temperatures. With lower temperatures in the second half of August, pasta dish figures improved, while new products such as fresh pasta were also launched to strengthen the lineup.

In the fast food category, LAWSON rolled out a campaign for long-seller Karaagekun, offering bigger portions. Sales of oden (a kind of Japanese hotchpotch or stew) and Chinese steamed buns also got underway in some areas. These and other steps helped to drive an increase in sales in the fast food category of approximately 20%.

Sales of traditional summer gifts at LAWSON have ended for 2004. Helped by the hot summer, sales of alcoholic beverage gift packs, particularly beer, grew 30% year on year, and boosted the overall number of summer gifts handled above the level achieved in 2003.

On August 30 (Monday), Lawson stores began taking orders for 2004 Beaujolais Nouveau. This year, stores are offering 4 different labels, including a limited-volume own-brand label. LAWSON is aiming to triple sales year on year across the chain to 410,000 bottles.

LAWSON will announce its interim earnings for the year ending February 2005 on October 13 (Wednesday). The interim earnings release and supplementary materials will be posted on this website as soon as they are available.