Hokuriku supermarkets expand into Aichi's Mikawa region

Supermarket retailers based in the Hokuriku region are intensifying their expansion into the Chukyo area, specifically targeting the Mikawa district of Aichi Prefecture.

Osakaya Shop is scheduled to open its Nisshin store in Aichi on October 2. This marks the company's fourth location in the Chukyo region and its second in Aichi Prefecture. The retailer aims to differentiate itself by leveraging its strength in fresh seafood, promising to supply morning-caught fish directly from the Hokuriku region.

Albis is also planning a new store in Chiryu, Aichi, marking its entry into the Mikawa area. This expansion follows news of Albis being acquired by Life Corporation, a move that could create a massive retail network spanning the Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka metropolitan areas.

Other regional players are also shifting strategies: Shiga-based Heiwado is re-strengthening its presence in the Hokuriku region with new store openings, while retailers like Lopia and Bandai are making moves in different prefectures. This trend of cross-prefectural expansion is driven by declining populations in traditional strongholds, prompting companies to seek growth in new markets.