TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Convenience store chain Hi-Life said Wednesday that it aims to expand to 2,000 stores in Taiwan this year, CNA reported.

Hi-Life reported revenue of NT$27.2 billion (US$837 million) last year, reflecting a year-on-year increase of over 10%, driven partly by the addition of 80 new stores. This year, the company plans to open 100 more locations across Taiwan’s six major cities and aims for a 20% revenue growth, with a target of NT$30 billion in annual sales.

In 2023, Kuang Chuan Dairy Co. sold Hi-Life to Union Group for approximately NT$4 billion after operating it for over 30 years. Following the acquisition, Hi-Life shifted its business focus to coffee, fresh food, and smoothies as part of its sales transformation strategy.

Li Chih-hao (李致豪), director of the fresh food division at Hi-Life, said the company upgraded its coffee beans and introduced cold brew machines in April 2024. Since then, monthly sales of its Hi-Cafe coffee have reached 4 million cups, and the company aims for another 20% increase this year.

Li said that fresh food items, including bento boxes, rice balls, and desserts, account for about 30% of Hi-Life's total revenue. He noted that competitors 7-Eleven and FamilyMart mainly increased sales by partnering with famous restaurant brands for their bento offerings. Li added that Hi-Life plans to increase the portion sizes of its bento boxes without raising prices and offer them with coffee promotions to boost sales.

In February, Hi-Life introduced a self-service smoothie machine allowing customers to blend their own fruit smoothies from pre-cut fruit in refrigerated displays. Several stores have reported daily sales exceeding 100 cups.

Li said that 200 Hi-Life stores have introduced the self-service smoothie machine. He added the company aims to expand the service to 500 locations by the end of this year and will continue developing new flavors.

Hi-Life’s first-quarter revenue reached nearly NT$6.3 billion this year, a 71% increase from the previous year. The company has around 7.27 million members. Taoyuan has the highest store density, while freeway rest area locations in central and southern Taiwan generate the highest revenue.