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Seven-Eleven Opens New Eco-Friendly Store in Utsunomiya

On February 12, 2023, Seven-Eleven Japan unveiled its latest wooden store, the Seven-Eleven Utsunomiya Shinchome 1-chome store, which is a pioneering establishment constructed entirely from timber sourced from Tochigi Prefecture. This initiative showcases the company’s commitment to sustainability and local sourcing, aligning with the growing trend of eco-friendly construction methods in retail.

Emphasizing Local Resources

The new store represents a significant step towards eco-conscious retailing, being the first in the company’s prototype series aimed at promoting wooden construction in standard store formats. With 100% utilization of local timber, this store embodies the essence of “local production for local consumption” strategy aimed at reducing environmental impact while enhancing community engagement.

Tochigi Prefecture has fostered this movement through its “Tochigi’s Good Wood” Non-Residential Building Wood Change Project, which supports the use of local materials and aims to contribute towards a carbon-neutral society. By leveraging local resources in construction, the project not only enhances the regional economy but also focuses on minimizing the carbon footprint associated with retail operations.

Warmth and Comfort through Design

The architectural design of the store emanates warmth and comfort, thanks in part to the use of specialty Tochigi cedar for both structural elements and interior finishes. Customers entering the store can expect a welcoming environment that highlights natural materials, fostering a unique shopping experience. This design approach aims to provide aesthetic value while ensuring economic feasibility, thus marking significant progress in achieving the dual objectives of sustainability and profitability.

Innovative Techniques Focused on CO2 Reduction

Seven-Eleven Japan also applied innovative construction techniques to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions even during the build phase. By incorporating wooden piles—known as environmental piles—made from local cedar, the company is taking a holistic approach to sustainability that considers the life cycle of the building from construction to demolition. This method not only minimizes reliance on cement-based solutions but also maximizes the use of locally sourced materials, contributing positively to the environment.

Commitment to Community and Environment

In addition to its construction efforts, Seven-Eleven Japan has signed the “Declaration for the Creation of a Forest Country and Wood Town”, an initiative led by the Forestry Agency. This declaration underscores the importance of promoting the use of timber in constructions and highlights the necessity for municipalities and businesses to cooperate in forestry management, which includes planting and actively using wood resources.

As they continue to advance their commitment to sustainability, Seven-Eleven Japan looks forward to collaborating with local communities to foster the utilization of domestic timber and drive forward environmentally-conscious initiatives that support sustainable social development. Through these efforts, they aim to play a significant role in building a future that emphasizes environmental awareness and community engagement.

With the opening of the Utsunomiya store, Seven-Eleven Japan is not just expanding its retail footprint; it is also setting a benchmark in the industry for how businesses can approach construction and sustainability, offering a model for others to follow.