Lawson plans 500 outlets in Philippines, targets BPO offices

Japanese convenience store chain Lawson is expanding in the Philippines with eye on office spaces that have outsourcing companies as tenants. Lawson and its Philippine partner, supermarket operator Puregold Price Club, are developing a franchising formula and will test the model in late 2016. According to John Hao, the investor relations head of Puregold, PG Lawson will partner with independent property developers to gain access to office spaces with tenants like BPO companies that operate 24/7. PG Lawson has set a medium-term target of opening 500 outlets in the Philippines by 2020. Convenience stores are now riding high on the rapid growth of the country’s BPO industry by setting up stores near IT parks or in buildings occupied by outsourcing companies.