East Japan Railway Company (JR East) aims to expand its vending machine business in the UK from nearly 50 to around 1,000 units at transportation hubs, primarily focusing on railway stations.
“Drawing on our expertise gained from “Ekinaka” (in-station) commercial business operations in Japan, we endevour to enhance the customer experience”, says JR East.
JR East established a local subsidiary, JRE Business Development UK Limited. Through this subsidiary, the compnay acquired all the shares of Decorum Vending Limited, a company operating vending machines at railway stations across the UK.
Leveraging on this new subsidiary and acquisition, JR East will expand their vending machine and smart retail business, at transportation hubs, with a primary focus on railway stations across Europe.
Expanding the vending machine business in the UK
Since 2019, JR East has been operating around 50 digital vending machines in the UK.
Recognising the growth potential, they established a local subsidiary, UKBD, in June 2024 as a business base in the UK and other European countries. In July, through this subsidiary, they acquired all the shares of Decorum.
By synthesising Decorum’s business foundation with JR East Group’s Lifestyle Solutions expertise, the company aims to increase the number of vending machines at transportation hubs, primarily railway stations in the UK, to around 1,000 units.
Vending machines equipped with features including collective purchase options, remote inventory management, digital displays, and cashless transactions.
Future development of smart retail business
Building on JR East’s vending machine business, the company will develop smart retail business that leverage on AI for data analysis, implement smart payment methods, and integrate technologies for labor-efficient operations at transportation hubs in the UK.
JR East plans to replicate our successful UK business model and expand it to other European countries, making use of JR East’s global network to deliver enriched lifestyles on a global scale.
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