TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan FamilyMart Co. Chair Yeh Jung-ting (葉榮廷) said the company will open 100 new stores in Taiwan this year as part of its initiative to reach 5,000 branches nationwide within the next four years.

FamilyMart completed renovations of all its stores across Taiwan in the first half of the year. The company operates around 4,400 stores nationwide and added approximately 80 new locations last year, per CNA. Looking ahead, it plans to open about 150 new stores annually.

Yeh said that as Taiwan’s population continues to decline, competition in the retail sector is expected to intensify. He noted that one of the company’s strategies is to adjust its fresh food offerings to better align with the dietary habits of younger consumers.

Over the past decade, FamilyMart’s fresh food sales have primarily come from breakfast and lunch, Yeh said. However, the company faces a challenge in sustaining demand, as most consumers who purchase a bento for lunch are less likely to choose the same item for dinner.

Yeh said the company will address this by offering more customizable side dishes in its bentos and expanding its selection of microwaveable ready-to-eat meals. This should better meet the needs of modern consumers with fast-paced lifestyles.

Although FamilyMart in Japan began removing some in-store dining areas last year, Yeh added that such spaces remain necessary in Taiwan. He said they provide customers with a place to rest or hold brief meetings, which can help drive additional purchases.

Taiwan FamilyMart Co. General Manager Hsueh Tung-tu (薛東都) said the company has invested NT$15 million (US$470,000) to open a childcare center for employees’ children at its Taipei headquarters. Set to open Monday, the facility will provide care for infants and toddlers and includes classrooms and play areas. Childcare services will be available until 7:30 p.m.