Comparing Convenience Store Systems Between Japan and The United States

Abstract

This paper compares convenience store systems in Japan and the United States using state and prefecture level data from 2017. Three hypotheses test differences are used, specifically total sales (usage), sales per store (productivity), and stores per capita (structure). The regressions show that Japanese prefectures have 35% higher total sales compared to U.S. states even after controlling for store count, 31% higher sales per store, and 11.7% higher stores per capita after controlling for population density. The Japan dummy is positive and significant all throughout. Nominal exchange rates are used so results reflect revenue scale, not real consumption.