Japanese convenience store conglomerate, Lawson, has reported impressive sales from its crane game machines. These popular arcade games have continued to attract a wide consumer base in Japan despite the current economic climate. Lawson is leveraging this trend, strategically placing these machines in their ubiquitous stores across Japan, further fueling the recent crane game boom.

Crane games or 'UFO Catchers' are a staple of Japanese entertainment and retail culture. Convenience stores like Lawson serve as the community’s miniature malls, where people run errands or spend leisure time. Kudos to Lawson for capitalizing on this cultural phenomenon to enhance customer delight and drive business growth.

In the US or EU, convenience stores are more utilitarian and do not typically offer arcade-style entertainment. However, in recent times businesses have also started incorporating experiential shopping strategies to boost footfall and in-shop engagement.