Total sales increased 4.2% year on year to 117,137 million yen, while existing store sales edged up 0.1%. Average daily sales per store were 484,000 yen, and the average amount spent per customer was 592 yen, up 1.7% year on year. The average number of customers per store per day was 815, down 1.5% year on year.

While the weather as a whole was inclement in Japan in October 2004 due to typhoons and the autumnal rain front, an improvement in the main dishes category and other areas lifted existing store sales above the previous year's level.

Existing store sales were marginally above the previous year in the important fast-food category thanks to the launch of new Chinese steamed buns, and continued efforts to improve the fried food and oden (a kind of Japanese hotchpotch or stew) lineup.

In the bakery category, a promotional campaign to mark the first anniversary of the Totte Oki Sengen series, original bakery items sold under tie-ups with popular children's manga and other developments lifted the category for the third month running, resulting in sales that were marginally above those in October 2003.

In rice cracker biscuits and baked confectionery, which have shown an increase in sales, the launch of the Hiden series of original rice cracker biscuits has fueled a further rise in sales.

New Year's cards, year-end gifts and other products customers must order posted strong sales due to enhanced promotional activities and other factors.

In November, LAWSON will work to expand sales of the important main dish category as it celebrates the second anniversary of the Onigiriya brand and also expand sales of Beaujolais Nouveau French wine, which is only available for a limited time each year.

On Wednesday, October 13, LAWSON announced its interim results for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2005. The earnings release and supplementary materials can be found on this website.