News Japanese convenience store pioneer Suzuki Toshifumi dies at 93

He joined the retailer Ito-Yokado in 1963 and was involved in establishing York Seven, which later became Seven-Eleven Japan. The first convenience store in the country was a 7-Eleven that opened in Tokyo's Toyosu area in 1974. Seven & i Holdings, centred on 7-Eleven, has become one of Japan's leading retail groups, encompassing supermarkets, department stores and restaurants. Under Suzuki's leadership, the company introduced a series of new services in convenience stores, including POS (point-of-sale) systems, ATM services, and utility bill payment functions. He stepped down as chairman and CEO in 2016, taking responsibility after a group personnel plan he had led was rejected. He assumed the role of honorary adviser.

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Toshifumi Suzuki, Who Made 7-Eleven a Giant in Japan, Dies at 93

He spent four decades building the convenience store chain into a cornerstone of daily life.

www.nytimes.com

Toshifumi Suzuki, father of Japan's convenience store industry, dies at 93

He nurtured 7-Eleven and led it to become the largest chain in the country

asia.nikkei.com