Continuing from yesterday, this is another installment in our convenience store series.
In Japanese convenience stores, you will find small snacks and hot snacks next to the cash register.
While waiting for the cashier, I picked up one and bought it, even though I didn’t really want it.
Most of the products next to the cash register in convenience stores are food, and each convenience store often has a lineup of their best-selling sweets and hot snacks.
It can be said that this is a very good strategy to make customers think, “I’ll give it a try just for the sake of conversation…”.
In this article, I will give an overview of the products next to the cash register at convenience stores, their appeal points, recommended products that I am glad I bought, and how to enjoy what I bought, including my own experiences.
I hope you will find this article interesting.
To begin with,what are the advantages of placing products next to the cash register?
The biggest advantage of placing products next to the cash register is that it encourages “buy on the spur of the moment” purchases.
While waiting at the register or just before checkout, people tend to loosen their purse strings, and easy products such as gum, snacks, and hot snacks are more likely to be impulsively selected.
In addition, many products next to the cash register have high profit margins, and just one more product purchased can have a significant effect on sales and profits.
In addition, it can lead to differentiation from other companies and improve the impression of the store.
History of placing products next to the cash register in convenience stores
Products next to the cash register were originally introduced to efficiently sell high-margin hot snacks and Japanese sweets.
Especially since the 2000s, companies have strengthened their “counter ff (fast food)” strategy and started to offer Chinese steamed buns, fried chicken, freshly ground coffee, etc. next to the cash register.
In 2015-2016, doughnuts were also introduced, and the space next to the cash register is constantly evolving, with products changing with the seasons and trends.
Yes, it is a win-win situation because the convenience store can sell high-margin items efficiently and customers can see at a glance what new products are hot.
Three Attractions of products next to the cash register at convenience stores
I have summarized some of the attractions of products next to the cash register at convenience stores that I feel are appealing.
Enjoy warm, freshly prepared Japanese flavors easily
The products next to the cash register include warm, mouth-watering Japanese B-class gourmet foods such as karaage, yakitori, Chinese buns, and oden.
Since you can receive your order immediately after placing it, you can easily experience the authentic taste of Japan even when you are busy sightseeing.
Especially in winter, the steamy oden and steamed meat buns are popular for warming the body.
Wide variety and fun to choose from
A wide variety of products such as hot snacks, Japanese sweets, gum, and chocolates are lined up next to the cash registers.
The lineup changes with the seasons and with each store, so no matter how many times you visit, you will always find something new.
They are perfect for when you are hungry or just want a quick snack and a casual taste of Japanese food culture.
Easy to buy and cost-effective
The products next to the cash register are easy to spot when you pay your bill, making it easy to “buy by accident” without thinking.
The prices are also reasonable, with many items costing only one coin.
They are popular for their high cost performance, which allows customers to casually enjoy a taste of Japan while sightseeing or on the road.
This “just a little bit” is quite a tricky thing to do, and even when I am trying to lose weight, I often succumb to temptation.
Convenience store products we recommend now by the cash register
Here are my recommendations for convenience store products by the cash register.
7-Eleven
Fluffy melon bread baked at the store
✅ Recommended Points
- Seven-Eleven’s “Shop-baked Fluffy Melon Pan” is one of a series of freshly baked breads sold exclusively at select stores.
- Because it is baked in the store’s oven upon order, it has a crispy, savory outside and a fluffy inside.
- It has a rich buttery flavor and the warmth and aroma of freshly baked bread.
- Priced at 160 yen (tax included), they are well received as an easy way to enjoy the authentic taste of a specialty bakery.
Butter-scented financier baked at the store
✅ Recommended Points
- 7-Eleven’s “Butter-scented financier baked in the store” is a freshly baked sweet sold exclusively at select stores.
- Baked in a special oven in the store, it is characterized by a crispy, savory outside and a moist inside.
- The luxurious use of butter and almond pudding gives it the rich buttery aroma and richness that only freshly baked sweets can offer.
- Priced at around 150 yen including tax, they are popular as authentic baked goods that can be easily purchased next to the cash register.
Pizza baked at the store
✅ Recommended Points
- 7-Eleven’s “Pizza baked at the store” is a freshly baked pizza sold only at certain stores.
- Because it is baked in the store’s oven upon order, it has a savory outside and a sticky inside.
- Two flavors are available: “Margherita” and “Teriyaki Chicken,” and with a diameter of approximately 20 cm, it is an easy size for one person to eat.
- The Margherita is priced at 780 yen including tax, and the Teriyaki Chicken at 880 yen including tax.
- Freshly baked and served in a special box, they can also be ordered through the “7NOW” delivery service.
Freshly baked, freshly fried, and freshly cooked are foul…
Lawson
Machikado Kitchen – Thoughtful egg sandwich (1 piece)
✅ Recommended Points
- “Machikado Kitchen Thigh-roasted Tamago Sandwich (1piece)” is a fresh sandwich made in our kitchen.
- A large boiled egg and egg salad with just the right amount of sour mayonnaise are sandwiched between soft, fluffy bread.
- Each package contains 304 kcal and is priced at 257 yen (tax included).
- This popular product can be easily purchased next to the cash register and is perfect for breakfast or a light meal.
Machikado Kitchen – Spicy cod roe and omelet
✅ Recommended Points
- LAWSON’s Machikado Kitchen: Spicy cod roe and omelet is a fresh rice ball made in the store’s kitchen.
- The combination of the fluffy omelet and the tangy Hakata spicy cod roe gives this dish a Japanese flavor.
- The gentle sweetness of the tamagoyaki and the saltiness of the cod roe are a perfect match, making it a satisfying meal.
- Each package contains 217 kcal and is priced at 297 yen (tax included).
- It can be easily purchased next to the cash register and is perfect for breakfast, a light meal, or a snack.
*Not available in some areas.
Machikado Kitchen – Handmade egg potesalas®
✅ Recommended Points
- LAWSON’s “Machikado Kitchen In-store Handmade Egg Potato Salad®” is a fresh potato salad prepared in the store.
- It combines the natural flavor of domestically grown potatoes with a generous amount of boiled eggs and is mildly flavored with mayonnaise.
- Each package contains 212 kcal and is priced at 365 yen (tax included).
- Easily available next to the cash register, it is popular as a breakfast, light meal, or side dish.
There are also regional specials, so please check at convenience stores in your area.
Column: Ministop’s “Onigiri Set Kashiwameshi” makes me feel like having a picnic
I recommended Ministop’s Kashiwameshi in my previous separate article, and I would like to recommend it again.
In Tokyo, there is a similar item called “Gomoku Onigiri,” but I really want to try the authentic “Kashiwameshi” from Kyushu, so I tend to pick it up.
Kashiwameshi” is an onigiri made with takikomi-gohan (cooked rice) that recreates the local cuisine of the Kyushu region. Ingredients such as chicken and burdock are cooked in the restaurant, and the flavor of the chicken is soaked into the entire rice.
The rice balls are also delicious even when cold.
This time, the rice ball set also includes a boiled egg and fried chicken, so how about taking one of these sets to a nearby park for a citrus picnic?
Ministop’s in-store processed rice balls come in many varieties other than kashiwameshi, such as Hakata mentaiko (cod roe) and takana (Chinese cabbage), so be sure to try them!
Three ways to enjoy the side of convenience store cash registers for foreign visitors to Japan
To enjoy the side of convenience store cash registers to its fullest, try these tips:
✅ Compare freshly fried hot snacks
“Famichiki” from FamilyMart is available next to the cash register at convenience stores in Japan, Seven-Eleven’s “Karaage-bo” and Lawson’s “Karaage-kun” are just a few of the deep-fried items available at convenience stores in Japan.
The appeal of these freshly prepared items, such as juicy chicken and crispy croquettes, is their warmth and texture.
Each chain has different tastes and textures, so it is recommended to enjoy comparing them.
✅ Discovering Seasonal and New Menu Items
The products next to the cash register are not only standard items, but also seasonal limited menus and new items are introduced each season.
Whether it is steamed meat buns or pizza buns in winter, or new flavors of karaage or hot dogs in spring and summer, you will find a new flavor every time you visit.
You can easily experience the four seasons and trends unique to Japan through your sense of taste.
✅ Fill up your stomach, snack, and arrange your meals any way you like
Products next to the cash register are easy to eat with one hand, making them ideal for filling small stomachs while traveling or sightseeing.
Many people enjoy combining them with salad and bread for a simple meal, or arrange them with tartar sauce and buns.
The easy accessibility and cost-effectiveness are also reasons for their popularity.
I wonder if it is true that convenience store checkout-side products are easy to combine and arrange because many of them are easy to pick up.
Other recommended convenience stores
The products next to the cash register of each convenience store show the characteristics of each convenience store.
To give you an idea of the characteristics, we highly recommend Seicomart, which operates mainly in Hokkaido.
Seicomart is a community-based convenience store with a popular “Hot Chef” menu prepared in the store.
Recommended products include:
- “Fried Chicken” — freshly fried in the store — juicy and hearty;
- ‘Onigiri’ made from Hokkaido rice — enjoy local ingredients such as salmon and kelp;
- “Pork Donburi” – the sweet and spicy sauce and tender pork go well with the rice, giving it a taste typical of Hokkaido.
All of them are easy to enjoy authentic flavors.
If you travel to Hokkaido, please stop by!
