Japan: FamilyMart, Uny merger produce 2nd largest c-store chain

FamilyMart Co. and Uny Group Holdings Co. merged on Thursday to create Japan's second-largest convenience store chain after Seven-Eleven Japan Co.

Third biggest c-store chain, FamilyMart, and UNY, owner of fourth-placed Circle K Sunkus, agreed last October on a merger that will see around 6,250 Circle K stores renamed as FamilyMart, reports Kyodo News.

The new company, FamilyMart Uny Holdings Co., reveals the toughening competition of the Japanese retailing market.

After the merger the total number of store belonging to FamilyMart Uny ascends to 17,000 sites, only 1,800 behind market leader Seven-Eleven Japan.