Aoki Supermarket and WHILL Introduce Mobility Services in Tokai Region
In a pioneering initiative, Aoki Supermarket, based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, has partnered with Tokyo's WHILL Inc. to enhance the shopping experience for all customers by integrating proximity mobility solutions at their large commercial complex, Aspark Shopping Center, located in Nakagawa Ward, Nagoya. The collaboration aims not only to create a comfortable shopping environment but also to address employee welfare, specifically in caring for family members. Using WHILL models—a series of user-friendly electric vehicles that can be operated without a license—Aoki Supermarket is making strides towards building an inclusive community where everyone can continue to thrive as the population ages.
With approximately 30 percent of Japan's population being 65 or older, the need for accessible mobility options has never been more pressing. Many elderly individuals struggle with long-distance walking, and from April 2024, legal requirements for reasonable accommodations will be enforced, prompting a societal push for improved accessibility and barrier-free environments. Moreover, the increasing number of individuals balancing work while also providing care for elderly relatives highlights a growing workforce strain, with many employees feeling overwhelmed. According to statistics, more than half of caregivers report difficult circumstances that lead to increased job-related stress, which can ultimately result in turnover.
In response to these challenges, legislative reforms, such as the amendments to the childcare and family care leave law effective from April 2025, seek to support working caregivers, prompting companies to adapt their strategies accordingly.
1. Creating Comfortable Shopping Environments:
The introduction of WHILL's mobility service allows customers to rent vehicles temporarily during their shopping experience. This service has proven popular across more than 80 locations nationwide, facilitating hassle-free mobility within large commercial spaces. The Aoki supermarket's Aspark Shopping Center will now feature WHILL, enabling customers with mobility concerns to navigate the facility comfortably, ensuring a smooth and satisfying shopping experience. The vehicles can be easily rented through a dedicated app or via on-site assistance at the service counter. Notably, WHILL's compact design allows seamless movement indoors, making it an ideal choice for customers visiting the retail complex.
2. Supporting Employee Health and Work-Life Balance:
Initially designed to cater to self-directed mobility needs, WHILL has now been integrated into the workplace to alleviate care burdens for employees and their families. The WHILL Welfare Package, available for Aoki Supermarket employees, enables them to incorporate these mobility devices into their daily lives economically and flexibly. By addressing mobility concerns for elderly family members and easing caregiver responsibilities, the company fosters a supportive work environment. Additionally, attention towards employees with disabilities and openness to diverse hiring practices signify Aoki's commitment to promoting workplace inclusion and diversity.
Through this collaboration with WHILL, Aoki Supermarket aspires to provide various opportunities for customers, employees, and the broader community to engage with mobility solutions actively. This engagement not only seeks to alleviate mobility-related anxieties for individuals and their families but also aims to highlight the value of mobility in enhancing quality of life. Aoki Supermarket has ensured that these initiatives assist in crafting a community where all individuals can live comfortably and with dignity, regardless of age or ability.
WHILL offers a range of proximity mobility options equipped with advanced features like compact turning radius and ease of transport. Their models, such as the Model C2 and F, are designed for maneuverability and comfort, making them a practical choice for individuals looking to navigate larger spaces with minimal effort.
Founded in 1941 as a produce retailer, Aoki Supermarket has deeply embedded itself within the Aichi community, continuously adapting to meet customer needs. The company has plans for future innovations, like the introduction of display-equipped sales robots and dedicated register chairs, to enhance both customer shopping experiences and employee comfort.
For more information on WHILL mobility services, visit here. To learn about the WHILL Welfare Package, click here. Furthermore, discover Aoki Supermarket's initiatives and history on its official site.
Social Context
With approximately 30 percent of Japan's population being 65 or older, the need for accessible mobility options has never been more pressing. Many elderly individuals struggle with long-distance walking, and from April 2024, legal requirements for reasonable accommodations will be enforced, prompting a societal push for improved accessibility and barrier-free environments. Moreover, the increasing number of individuals balancing work while also providing care for elderly relatives highlights a growing workforce strain, with many employees feeling overwhelmed. According to statistics, more than half of caregivers report difficult circumstances that lead to increased job-related stress, which can ultimately result in turnover.
In response to these challenges, legislative reforms, such as the amendments to the childcare and family care leave law effective from April 2025, seek to support working caregivers, prompting companies to adapt their strategies accordingly.
Aoki Supermarket's Initiatives with WHILL
1. Creating Comfortable Shopping Environments:
The introduction of WHILL's mobility service allows customers to rent vehicles temporarily during their shopping experience. This service has proven popular across more than 80 locations nationwide, facilitating hassle-free mobility within large commercial spaces. The Aoki supermarket's Aspark Shopping Center will now feature WHILL, enabling customers with mobility concerns to navigate the facility comfortably, ensuring a smooth and satisfying shopping experience. The vehicles can be easily rented through a dedicated app or via on-site assistance at the service counter. Notably, WHILL's compact design allows seamless movement indoors, making it an ideal choice for customers visiting the retail complex.
2. Supporting Employee Health and Work-Life Balance:
Initially designed to cater to self-directed mobility needs, WHILL has now been integrated into the workplace to alleviate care burdens for employees and their families. The WHILL Welfare Package, available for Aoki Supermarket employees, enables them to incorporate these mobility devices into their daily lives economically and flexibly. By addressing mobility concerns for elderly family members and easing caregiver responsibilities, the company fosters a supportive work environment. Additionally, attention towards employees with disabilities and openness to diverse hiring practices signify Aoki's commitment to promoting workplace inclusion and diversity.
Through this collaboration with WHILL, Aoki Supermarket aspires to provide various opportunities for customers, employees, and the broader community to engage with mobility solutions actively. This engagement not only seeks to alleviate mobility-related anxieties for individuals and their families but also aims to highlight the value of mobility in enhancing quality of life. Aoki Supermarket has ensured that these initiatives assist in crafting a community where all individuals can live comfortably and with dignity, regardless of age or ability.
About WHILL
WHILL offers a range of proximity mobility options equipped with advanced features like compact turning radius and ease of transport. Their models, such as the Model C2 and F, are designed for maneuverability and comfort, making them a practical choice for individuals looking to navigate larger spaces with minimal effort.
About Aoki Supermarket
Founded in 1941 as a produce retailer, Aoki Supermarket has deeply embedded itself within the Aichi community, continuously adapting to meet customer needs. The company has plans for future innovations, like the introduction of display-equipped sales robots and dedicated register chairs, to enhance both customer shopping experiences and employee comfort.
For more information on WHILL mobility services, visit here. To learn about the WHILL Welfare Package, click here. Furthermore, discover Aoki Supermarket's initiatives and history on its official site.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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