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Youme Mart Kumamoto's Innovative Leap: Implementing a DX System

Kumamoto’s beloved supermarket chain, Youme Mart, has partnered with COUNTERWORKS to implement an advanced leasing DX system called "Shop Counter Enterprise." This innovative system is designed specifically for commercial facilities and aims to enhance event management across Youme Mart's 24 locations in Kumamoto, ultimately creating a more vibrant shopping experience.

Background of the Implementation

Youme Mart has a strong presence in the Kumamoto region, where it operates a total of 24 stores as of May 2026. The chain is part of the Izumi Group, which also operates another popular supermarket brand, Sunny. Catering to the local community, Youme Mart has primarily relied on longstanding partnerships with traditional suppliers through physical storefronts and established vendor relationships. However, to attract new visitors and keep the shopping experience fresh and exciting, this conventional approach faced challenges, as it often restricted the diversity of event content within their stores.

Historically, processes for managing event bookings—like scheduling, paperwork, and customer inquiries—have been mainly analog, relying heavily on telephone communications and Excel spreadsheets. As demand for online bookings is anticipated to rise, Youme Mart needed to streamline its operations to efficiently handle increased inquiry volumes.

Recognizing the benefits from their sister location, Youme Mart Kitakyushu, which has successfully implemented the Shop Counter Enterprise system, Youme Mart Kumamoto identified this digital infrastructure as a key component to not only enhance visitor engagement but also alleviate operational burdens.

Goals for Adopting the Shop Counter Enterprise

The recent integration of the Shop Counter Enterprise system will establish an online platform dedicated to event recruitment specifically for Youme Mart Kumamoto. This platform will facilitate smoother communication concerning vendor applications and event planning across all 24 stores. As a result, the company aims to forge new connections with various vendors, such as food vendors and local service providers, thereby enhancing the diversity and appeal of its event offerings.

The system will enable centralized management of all communications, schedules, applications, and documentation associated with event planning, giving Youme Mart the tools necessary to run operations more efficiently. COUNTERWORKS will also provide Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) support for some event management tasks, allowing the Youme Mart team to focus on cultivating relationships with a broader array of vendors.

Moreover, the implementation is planned to adhere to the Izumi Group's regulatory framework, with comprehensive data management practices set in place to compile and analyze vendor interaction histories and event outcomes. This foundational data will assist in future event planning and store lively upkeep.

Insights from Youme Mart Kumamoto

According to Kousuke Kimura from Youme Mart Kumamoto’s development team, the supermarket's past event management primarily revolved around established businesses. However, there’s a growing necessity to engage with new vendors that can deliver unique experiences to customers while driving traffic to stores. Following the insights from Youme Mart Kitakyushu’s success, Kimura expressed optimism that this DX system would enhance online recruitment and operational efficiencies under a streamlined structure. The objective is to manage vendor information and schedules efficiently while staying compliant with Group regulations, all while enriching customer experiences and minimizing operational burdens.

Future Perspectives

The introduction of the Shop Counter Enterprise system marks a transformative step forward for Youme Mart Kumamoto. By embracing technology, the supermarket can enhance its event management capabilities and better cater to the local community’s needs, ensuring a vibrant shopping atmosphere.

For inquiries about the leasing opportunities or more details on Shop Counter Enterprise, interested parties can visit the official website.