Japan's ubiquitous convenience stores have come a long way since a customer made the first purchase from the original outlet over 43 years ago.Was it a beverage, rice ball, bento lunchbox or other food item, or perhaps a magazine or packet of underwear, all things that convenience stores typically stock nowadays? Legend has it otherwise.There was a heavy downpour and a male customer walked into the store a little before 7 a.m."As I opened the door to see if the delivery truck had arrived, a middle-aged man asked me, 'Are you open?' He looked around the whole shop and bought sunglasses (for …READ FULL ARTICLE
