This is an AI translated post.
Convenience Store 24-Hour Operation Suspension and Labor Shortages Relief Measures Through Improved Working Conditions
- Writing language: Korean
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Base country: Japan
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- Economy
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Summarized by durumis AI
- Convenience stores in Japan are taking various measures, such as suspending 24-hour operations and improving working conditions, due to a serious labor shortage.
- In particular, the lack of manpower during nighttime hours is serious, with some stores shortening their operating hours and introducing unmanned payment systems to reduce labor costs.
- To improve working conditions, the introduction of automatic shift scheduling solutions is being considered, with the goal of using AI to reflect work data and create efficient shift schedules.
Convenience stores nationwide are facing a severe labor shortage, prompting discussions about various measures, including reducing 24-hour operations and improving working conditions.
According to the "Convenience Store Survey 2018" conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, 61% of convenience stores nationwide reported a shortage of employees. This shortage is attributed to factors such as rising labor costs due to the minimum wage increase, increased workload, and mismatches in working hours, making it difficult to secure staff.
The lack of personnel, especially during nighttime hours, has led some convenience stores to shorten their operating hours as a solution. Seven-Eleven Japan began a trial of shorter operating hours at over 230 stores nationwide in November 2018, and in March 2019, it officially allowed franchisees to modify their operating hours. FamilyMart is also expected to revise its franchise agreements in March 2019 to allow franchisees to choose to shorten their operating hours.
To minimize losses from shortened operating hours, it is essential to reduce labor and maintenance costs. As a result, the convenience store industry is also working to minimize staff numbers through initiatives such as introducing unmanned payment systems and self-checkout counters.
Fundamental improvements to working conditions are also crucial to alleviate the labor shortage. The industry faces challenges like discrepancies between desired working hours for franchisees and employees, and issues arising from labor shortages, including overtime work and lack of guaranteed rest periods. Urgent action is required to address these problems with concrete measures such as adjusting staff allocation based on different time slots, ensuring adequate vacation and rest periods, and establishing fair shift scheduling.
To tackle this issue, the convenience store industry is considering adopting automated shift scheduling solutions. These solutions utilize AI to create shifts that reflect store conditions and employee work data, while also preventing violations by linking to work regulations. Additionally, they provide convenient features such as shift sharing and staff support requests, enhancing personnel management efficiency.
The labor shortage in the convenience store industry has emerged as a critical issue that cannot be ignored. It is time to create long-term growth drivers by implementing multifaceted solutions such as reducing 24-hour operations, introducing unmanned payment systems, and improving working conditions.
