As concern rises over increasing materials and energy prices amid the Middle East situation, Seven-Eleven Japan will accelerate initiatives in energy-saving investment and logistics efficiency. President Tomohiro Akutsu stated, “We want to make every effort to avoid placing as much of a price burden as possible on customers,” indicating an intention to speed up environmental measures that the company has already been pursuing.
The company has set out its “Green Challenge 2050,” with targets of reducing CO2 emissions by 50% and plastic use by 50% by 2030.
One initiative under this program is the introduction of new Seven Café latte machines at stores. The company is proceeding with the replacement of existing models with new machines that consume approximately 10% less electricity. It will newly install approximately 5,000 units and is considering expanding the number of stores equipped with them to approximately 11,000 within the current fiscal year. President Akutsu explained: “We are also taking into account energy issues arising from the Middle East situation and other factors, and are considering whether we can accelerate the pace.” Because many units are installed in stores, the cumulative effect of reducing electricity consumption is expected to be significant.
The company is also advancing logistics efficiency. The two-delivery production system for rice balls and other products, already introduced in Hokkaido, consolidates production from three times a day to twice a day, helping reduce both electricity use during production and the number of logistics runs.
From this autumn onward, the company plans to expand the system sequentially to Tohoku, Shikoku, and parts of Chiba Prefecture, with a nationwide rollout also in view for the future.
In resource circulation, the company is promoting in-store collection of PET bottles and the use of recycled plastics. It is also increasing the percentage of recycled PP material used in containers for cup deli products and similar items. In addition, it is advancing a shift to paper containers and reducing ink use. During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the company simplified printing to address shortages of packaging materials, and it is also keeping in mind how to respond should supply constraints arise.
The company is also advancing the use of AI in store equipment. It has begun demonstration tests to optimize defrosting operations in freezer and refrigeration equipment, aiming to reduce power consumption by improving cooling efficiency.
President Akutsu said: “These are initiatives we had been pursuing from the outset, but given the current situation, we need to accelerate them. We are at the stage of steadily expanding what we can do now.” He stressed that the company will continue to use recycled materials and review packaging, adding: “Even amid rising prices, we want to continue making efforts to limit the burden on customers.”
