konbini

Konbini is a Japanese term for a small, often 24/7, convenience store that offers a wide range of everyday items and services. The stores are typically located in urban or suburban areas and are known for a compact footprint and quick-service format. The concept originated in Japan in the postwar era as urban life demanded rapid, reliable access to goods and services. The name konbini is a shortened form of konbiniensu, borrowed from English.

The three most prominent operators in Japan are 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart, each offering similar store formats and private-label products. Konbini stock grocery items, beverages, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals such as onigiri and bento boxes, as well as prepared foods and basic household goods. Many stores carry hot foods, fresh sandwiches, and seasonal items. They also provide services that extend beyond shopping, including bill payment, ticket purchases, package and mail services, ATM access, copy machines, and receiving or sending parcels through courier networks. In Japan, many konbini are integrated with IC card transit systems for quick payments, and some locations host ATM networks such as Seven Bank or E-net.

Konbini are deeply embedded in daily life, serving commuters, students, and travelers, and are often a hub for small-scale errands. The konbini model has influenced retail formats across Asia, with many chains adopting similar formats outside Japan.