- Business
- Heiwado Co., Ltd. Heiwado Co., Ltd. (8276.T) operates as a regional supermarket chain and general merchandise retailer in Japan, primarily offering food products including fresh foods and general groceries; apparel and clothing; household goods and daily necessities; as well as peripheral services such as store rentals, commercial facility management, building maintenance, real estate development, and operations of suburban restaurants, family restaurants, amusements, and bowling alleys through its Retail, Retail-Related, and Other segments. The company maintains dominant market positions with approximately 165 stores concentrated in Shiga Prefecture where it achieves full household coverage, alongside operations in Fukui, Ishikawa, Toyama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Gifu, and Aichi prefectures, and a smaller overseas presence via Heiwado (China) Co., Ltd. in Hunan Province; it also provides innovative channels like online supermarkets expanded to five stores primarily in the Keihanshin area, mobile grocery services, and home support services covering 100% of Shiga households and 31.5% in Fukui. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Heiwado employs around 4,735 people and focuses on child-rearing generation needs through private brand products like KURASHI-more and E-WA!, key value items, the HOP mobile app surpassing 1 million users with integrations for HOP Money charges via multiple banks including MUFG Bank and Shiga Bank, and community initiatives such as dementia supporter training and partnerships for the 2025 Japan Games. Recent developments include the absorption-type merger with Maruzen Co., Ltd. on August 21, 2024 incorporating six stores; multiple new store openings in fiscal year ending February 2026 such as Friendmart Yokaichi Myohoji in April 2025, Friendmart Imakatata and renovations like Friendmart Notogawa; launch of HOPBANK powered by Mitsubishi UFJ Bank in December 2025; expansions in processing centers via subsidiary Bestone Co., Ltd. for meat, fish, and delicatessen to boost productivity; store renovations including Viva City Heiwado and AL PLAZA Kusatsu with high-demand tenants like MUJI and GU; and ongoing fifth medium-term management plan initiatives for sales growth, cost reforms, and digitalization targeting operating revenue over ¥500 billion and 4.5% operating profit margin by 2030.