SCENTMATIC Expands Sommelier AI “KAORIUM for Sake & Wine” to 17 Natural Lawson Stores in Tokyo and Nearby Areas

SCENTMATIC Inc. (CEO: Toshiharu Kurisu; headquarters: Tokyo), a company proposing new customer experiences through the digitalization of smell, will expand its sommelier AI “KAORIUM for Sake & Wine” to 17 Natural Lawson stores in Tokyo and nearby areas starting May 11, 2026. The system had been trialed at six Natural Lawson stores since November 2025. In this rollout, the AI will not only recommend wines that match customers’ moods and preferences in the everyday shopping environment of convenience stores, but also suggest pairings between in-store food items and wines, offering a new kind of alcohol selection experience. KAORIUM is a registered trademark of SCENTMATIC Inc. “KAORIUM for Sake & Wine” is an AI system that visualizes the flavors of sake and wine through words and guides customers toward their ideal drink, creating a new food and beverage experience. It expresses difficult-to-describe flavors in accessible language and analyzes matching scores between customers’ desired moods, such as “I want to feel liberated” or “I want to feel excited,” or taste preferences such as “unique” or “fruity,” and the alcoholic beverages available in store. SCENTMATIC began trialing “KAORIUM for Sake & Wine” at six Natural Lawson stores in Tokyo in November 2025, then gradually expanded deployment to stores including Toyosu Market Front and Komazawa 5-chome. From May 11, 2026, the system will be installed in 17 Natural Lawson stores in Tokyo and nearby areas. Customers can answer simple questions through the KAORIUM device installed in store, and the AI will recommend wines suited to their current mood and preferences. As a new initiative, the rollout also introduces 21 pairing suggestions combining in-store food items and wines. The AI identifies compatibility between wines and a range of store products, from snacks and sweets to bakery items, proposing new purchase combinations that enrich everyday dining. Natural Lawson operates under the concept “for your everyday life in your own way,” supporting healthy and comfortable lifestyles with a focus on beauty and wellness. This deployment aims to stimulate wine sales and create opportunities for combined purchases with snacks, sweets, and other foods. AI-based pairing suggestions will offer customers a new experience of enjoying wine and food together while expanding sales opportunities in stores. SCENTMATIC will continue to evolve customers’ discovery and enjoyment of food in convenience stores through “KAORIUM for Sake & Wine.” Installed stores include: Shin-Koenji Station Front, Meguro Yutenji Front, Hiroo 5-chome, Urban Dock Park City Toyosu, Kita-Senzoku Station Front, Minato Mirai 4-chome, Nogizaka, Akasaka-dori, Shinkawa 2-chome, Keio Presso Inn Hamamatsucho, Ginza 2-chome, Komazawa 5-chome, Takanawadai Station Front, Toyosu 3-chome, Toyosu Market Front, Ark Hills Front Tower, and Tsukiji Togeki Building. The KAORIUM service is available at any time and can be experienced free of charge. Customers may need to wait depending on congestion, usage time varies by person, and installation status may differ depending on circumstances. SCENTMATIC Inc. creates new scent experiences through “KAORIUM,” an AI that verbalizes aromas. Its digitalization of smell enhances human sensibility and is used in various business settings. The company’s innovation has also been recognized internationally, including a Silver Award at the global A’ Design Award.