TOKYO - Lawson plans to cut prices on its main line of onigiri rice balls by 10 yen from September 29 as falling rice prices begin to feed through to retail costs.
The major convenience store operator has decided to reduce prices across its hand-rolled onigiri range, according to people familiar with the matter.
Its tuna mayonnaise rice ball will fall to 171 yen including tax from 181 yen, while its aged spicy cod roe variety will be reduced to 225 yen from 235 yen.
The move comes as rice prices decline. Wholesale transaction prices between rice industry businesses have fallen 14% from their peak, while retail prices have dropped by an even larger percentage.
Lawson says it now expects to be able to lower its procurement costs for domestically grown rice used in its products.
The price cuts are an early sign that lower rice prices are beginning to affect the retail sector. Lawson also hopes the reductions will encourage greater rice consumption.
The company has raised prices on its hand-rolled rice balls five times over the past four years, while other major convenience store chains have also continued to increase prices.
Attention is now turning to whether Lawson's decision will influence the pricing strategies of rival convenience store operators.
Source: TBS
