Total sales rose 3.0% year on year to 112,261 million yen, while existing store sales declined 1.3%. Average daily sales per store were 479,000 yen, and the average amount spent per customer was 589 yen, down 1.4% year on year. The average number of customers per store per day was 809, up 0.1% year on year.

Sales of soft drinks and other products were strong in November due to a succession of warmer-than-average days. Sales were notably strong in the Kanto region.

However, there was no change in the overall trend in the rice dish category, due mainly to sluggish sales of Makunouchi boxed lunches. Seeking to spur sales, LAWSON launched a new brand, Gohantei, on November 30 based on the concept of amazing taste and innovation in food. In addition to enhanced taste, Gohantei features a new container that allows customers freedom in how they choose to eat these meals. Visit a store near you to try the range of products LAWSON will be releasing periodically.

Onigiriya celebrated its second anniversary with strong sales, which kept rice ball sales on a par with the previous year. On December 21, LAWSON will launch the Shinfukkura Temaki Onigiri series. A special feature of this series is the first four-sided wrapping in the Japanese convenience store industry for hand-rolled onigiri. This has allowed LAWSON to create delicious rice balls using higher grade seaweed. Perfectly steamed fluffy rice is another quality that adds to the taste sensation. For more information on Gohantei and Onigiriya, refer to the press releases on this website (Japanese only).

During November, LAWSON introduced other new products, with pasta and hot noodles selling strongly.

In fast foods, a category LAWSON is taking steps to bolster, an enhanced lineup and promotional campaigns continue to drive strong sales.

The sales season for Beaujolais Nouveau French wine got underway on November 18. Sales were almost double the previous year.

Advance ticket sales of Howl's Moving Castle, which debuted in theaters on November 20, totaled approximately 280,000 tickets. Ticket sales were the same as in November last year, when there were a number of hit releases.

In December, LAWSON plans to expand rice dish sales, especially Gohantei and Onigiriya. At the same time, it will work to spur orders for Christmas cakes, year-end gifts, printed New Year's greeting cards and food traditionally eaten at New Year in Japan.

LAWSON is scheduled to announce its third-quarter operating results for the year ending February 28, 2005 on January 7 (Friday). The earnings release and supplementary materials will be posted on this website as soon as they become available.