Core Viewpoint - Life Supermarket has achieved substantial growth for 21 consecutive years, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the competitive retail market [6][19]. Financial Performance - For the first half of the fiscal year from March 2025 to February 2026, Life Supermarket reported sales of 423.8 billion yen (approximately 19.557 billion RMB), a year-on-year increase of 4.3%. Operating profit reached 13.3 billion yen (approximately 614 million RMB), up 8.8%, and net profit was 9.327 billion yen (approximately 430 million RMB), growing by 4.6%. The gross profit margin improved by 0.4 percentage points to 31.1% [7]. - The projected annual sales for the fiscal year are 852 billion yen (approximately 39.315 billion RMB), with an expected growth of 4% [7]. Business Segments - In the 2024 fiscal year, Life Supermarket's total revenue was 850.4 billion yen (approximately 39.24 billion RMB), with retail performance at 818.8 billion yen (approximately 37.783 billion RMB). The breakdown of major categories includes general food at 369.9 billion yen (approximately 17.068 billion RMB), fresh food and deli at 359.7 billion yen (approximately 16.596 billion RMB), daily necessities at 69.3 billion yen (approximately 3.197 billion RMB), and clothing at 22.8 billion yen (approximately 1.329 billion RMB) [9]. - The company has 590,000 credit card members and 5.44 million online members, both showing growth compared to 2024 [9]. Growth Initiatives - Life Supermarket is focusing on organic products, aiming for a tenfold sales increase in five years. The Bio-ral brand is gaining market recognition, and the company is decentralizing decision-making to enhance efficiency [10]. - The online supermarket segment is projected to grow from 24.8 billion yen (approximately 1.144 billion RMB) last year to 30 billion yen (approximately 1.384 billion RMB) in 2025, supported by improved operational experience [10]. - The company has four private brands, generating a total sales of 80 billion yen (approximately 3.691 billion RMB) last year, with a growth of 6.4% [11]. Strategic Development - Life Supermarket plans to expand its online supermarket network by establishing warehouse-based delivery systems, which are expected to improve efficiency by five times compared to store-based delivery [13][14]. - The company is also exploring mergers and acquisitions to strengthen its market position, particularly in response to industry consolidation trends [18]. Internal Management and Growth Factors - The company attributes its sustained growth to rational market analysis, balanced operations, and effective delegation to store managers, allowing for tailored customer engagement [19][20]. - Profitability is driven by increasing product margins and controlling operational costs, with a focus on enhancing employee engagement and efficiency [21][25]. Community Engagement - Life Supermarket actively participates in social initiatives, such as reducing food waste and supporting local schools, which enhances its brand reputation and customer loyalty [28][31]. Leadership Philosophy - The founder, Seiji Shimizu, emphasized a low-profile, results-oriented management style, focusing on operational efficiency and avoiding unnecessary expansion [32][36].