Mandai Proposes New 'Experience-Designed Wallet' Rooted in Buybacks: A Shift to New Consumption Blending 'Play' and 'Living' Amid Rising Prices
Mandai Co., Ltd. has launched 'Mandai Wallet,' a digital payment service that integrates reuse (buybacks), amusement, and retail. By offering a 10% point bonus on buyback charges, the company creates a cycle where 'selling unused items turns into joy and daily essentials,' providing a new consumption experience tailored for the era of high costs.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 19:00
Mandai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture; CEO: Junichi Kurahashi), utilizing its unique strength in operating integrated facilities for reuse, amusement, and retail, has introduced 'Mandai Wallet,' an electronic money service connecting three services into one.
Operations began at the Mandai Iwaki Onahama store in April 2026, with plans to expand across all locations. This initiative is not merely a move toward cashless payments; it proposes a new in-store consumption experience that balances 'joy' and 'savings' in an era where high prices weigh on household budgets. Customers can now have their unwanted items purchased and charge the proceeds to their Mandai Wallet, receiving a 10% point bonus on the charged amount. (Standard charges from cash or credit cards are also possible.)
Customers can use these points to enjoy amusement such as crane games. At Mandai's crane games, prizes include ingredients and daily necessities ready for immediate use at home, providing a sense of utility that goes beyond mere play. While some reuse businesses offer mechanisms to charge buyback amounts, services that link the buyback experience directly with amusement are rare. This initiative, centering on Mandai Wallet to connect reuse, amusement, and retail within a single store, is positioned as a pioneering effort.
### Moving Beyond 'Selling and Ending' to 'Next Joy' and 'Daily Shopping'
Today, consumers are increasingly budget-conscious while still seeking small joys and refreshments in their daily lives. Mandai Wallet is a service designed to meet both needs. While general credit cards and cashless payments are primarily tools for convenience, Mandai Wallet is designed as a system to complete the cycle of play and shopping within the store, starting from the buyback amount.
For example, after selling unwanted items, instead of just receiving cash and leaving, customers can charge the amount to their Mandai Wallet and enjoy crane games where the prizes include cooking oil or tissues—items necessary for daily life. This is not just 'selling and ending,' but 'turning sold money into the next joy and value that helps daily life.' This cycle is the new consumption experience we aim for.
### Features of Mandai Wallet
- Charges can be made from cash, credit cards, bank accounts, and directly from buyback amounts.
- Special Campaigns:
1. 1,000 points gifted to all new registrants.
2. 10% point bonus when charging from buyback amounts.
*Campaigns may end without notice.
- Points can be used for amusement (crane games, etc.) and retail shopping.
- Completes the 'Sell -> Charge -> Play -> Buy' cycle within a single store.
Registration and use are possible on the spot via smartphone authentication. No app download is required, ensuring a smooth start even for first-time users.
Mandai will continue to enhance the value of the in-store experience by seamlessly connecting reuse, amusement, and retail. Through Mandai Wallet, we aim to create a space where small excitements are born—not just because it's convenient, but because it's fun and rewarding to use.
Operations began at the Mandai Iwaki Onahama store in April 2026, with plans to expand across all locations. This initiative is not merely a move toward cashless payments; it proposes a new in-store consumption experience that balances 'joy' and 'savings' in an era where high prices weigh on household budgets. Customers can now have their unwanted items purchased and charge the proceeds to their Mandai Wallet, receiving a 10% point bonus on the charged amount. (Standard charges from cash or credit cards are also possible.)
Customers can use these points to enjoy amusement such as crane games. At Mandai's crane games, prizes include ingredients and daily necessities ready for immediate use at home, providing a sense of utility that goes beyond mere play. While some reuse businesses offer mechanisms to charge buyback amounts, services that link the buyback experience directly with amusement are rare. This initiative, centering on Mandai Wallet to connect reuse, amusement, and retail within a single store, is positioned as a pioneering effort.
### Moving Beyond 'Selling and Ending' to 'Next Joy' and 'Daily Shopping'
Today, consumers are increasingly budget-conscious while still seeking small joys and refreshments in their daily lives. Mandai Wallet is a service designed to meet both needs. While general credit cards and cashless payments are primarily tools for convenience, Mandai Wallet is designed as a system to complete the cycle of play and shopping within the store, starting from the buyback amount.
For example, after selling unwanted items, instead of just receiving cash and leaving, customers can charge the amount to their Mandai Wallet and enjoy crane games where the prizes include cooking oil or tissues—items necessary for daily life. This is not just 'selling and ending,' but 'turning sold money into the next joy and value that helps daily life.' This cycle is the new consumption experience we aim for.
### Features of Mandai Wallet
- Charges can be made from cash, credit cards, bank accounts, and directly from buyback amounts.
- Special Campaigns:
1. 1,000 points gifted to all new registrants.
2. 10% point bonus when charging from buyback amounts.
*Campaigns may end without notice.
- Points can be used for amusement (crane games, etc.) and retail shopping.
- Completes the 'Sell -> Charge -> Play -> Buy' cycle within a single store.
Registration and use are possible on the spot via smartphone authentication. No app download is required, ensuring a smooth start even for first-time users.
Mandai will continue to enhance the value of the in-store experience by seamlessly connecting reuse, amusement, and retail. Through Mandai Wallet, we aim to create a space where small excitements are born—not just because it's convenient, but because it's fun and rewarding to use.
FAQ
What is the benefit of charging buyback money to Mandai Wallet?
You receive a 10% point bonus on the charged amount, making it more cost-effective than taking cash for in-store entertainment and shopping.
In which stores can I use this wallet?
It launched at the 'Mandai Iwaki Onahama Store' in April 2026 and will gradually expand to all Mandai locations.
Do I need to download an app?
No app download is required. It uses smartphone authentication for immediate registration and use via a web browser.