Shinko Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, President and Representative Director: Tadashi Yamazaki, hereinafter Shinko Holdings) conducted a survey on the current state of unmanned and 24-hour operation of in-company stores, targeting 111 HR and General Affairs managers involved in planning and implementing employee benefits who have already introduced or are considering introducing in-company stores or office convenience stores. We are pleased to announce the results.

01 | Challenges of Human Operation: About 60% Respond "Difficult to Recruit and Secure Staff," with Labor Costs and Operating Hour Restrictions Each at 45.1%

02 | Obstacles to Unmanned Operation: "Security Concerns" Stand Out at 76.0%, While "Ease of Use of Self-Checkout Registers" is the Top Priority at 73.0%

03 | 96.4% Evaluate "Health Management Support" by Store Operation Companies as "Attractive"

Download this survey:

https://www.shinko-jp.com/dl-20260701-survey-document/

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on the Current State of Unmanned and 24-Hour Operation of In-Company Stores

Survey Method: Internet survey conducted as part of the research marketing service "Resapy®︎" provided by IDEATECH

Survey Period: April 6, 2026 - April 7, 2026

Valid Responses: 111 HR and General Affairs managers involved in planning and implementing employee benefits who have already introduced or are considering introducing in-company stores or office convenience stores.

* Proportions are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%.

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1. Please cite "Shinko Holdings Co., Ltd." as the source of information.

2. When using on a website, please include the following link as the source.

URL: https://www.shinko-jp.com

In-Company Store Operation Form: "Partially Unmanned" is Most Common at 53.6%, "Fully Unmanned" Reaches 34.5%

When asked, "Q1. For those who have introduced in-company stores or office convenience stores, what is the current operational format of your company's in-company store?" (n=110), the responses were "Fully Unmanned (self-checkout registers, vending machines, etc.)" at 34.5% and "Partially Unmanned (unmanned during certain hours)" at 53.6%.

Q1. For those who have introduced in-company stores or office convenience stores, what is the current operational format of your company's in-company store?

・Fully Unmanned (self-checkout registers, vending machines, etc.): 34.5%

・Partially Unmanned (unmanned during certain hours): 53.6%

・Fully Human-Operated: 10.9%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.9%

Challenges of Human Operation: About 60% Experience "Difficulty Recruiting and Securing Staff"

When asked, "Q2. For those who answered 'Fully Human-Operated' or 'Partially Unmanned' in Q1, please tell us the challenges you feel in human operation. (Multiple answers allowed)" (n=71), the responses were "Difficulty recruiting and securing staff" at 59.2%, "Staff labor costs are a burden" at 45.1%, and "Operating hours are restricted by staff working hours" at 45.1%.

Q2. For those who answered 'Fully Human-Operated' or 'Partially Unmanned' in Q1, please tell us the challenges you feel in human operation. (Multiple answers allowed)

・Difficulty recruiting and securing staff: 59.2%

・Staff labor costs are a burden: 45.1%

・Operating hours are restricted by staff working hours: 45.1%

・Unable to operate due to staff illness: 22.5%

・Hassle and risk of cash management: 18.3%

・Other: 0.0%

・None in particular: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 1.4%

Transition to Unmanned Operation with Self-Checkout Registers: "Specifically Considering" and "Interested" Account for 97.2%

When asked, "Q3. Are you considering switching your in-company store to unmanned operation using self-checkout registers?" (n=71), the responses were "Specifically considering" at 45.1% and "Interested, but not specifically considering" at 52.1%.

Q3. Are you considering switching your in-company store to unmanned operation using self-checkout registers?

・Specifically considering: 45.1%

・Interested, but not specifically considering: 52.1%

・Not considering: 2.8%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

For Unmanned In-Company Stores, Over 70% Prioritize "Ease of Use of Self-Checkout Registers"

When asked, "Q4. What factors do you prioritize (or will prioritize) for unmanned in-company stores? (Multiple answers allowed)" (n=111), the responses were "Ease of use of self-checkout registers" at 73.0%, "Payment by employee ID or IC card" at 48.6%, and "Security system to prevent unauthorized use and theft" at 35.1%.

Q4. What factors do you prioritize (or will prioritize) for unmanned in-company stores? (Multiple answers allowed)

・Ease of use of self-checkout registers: 73.0%

・Payment by employee ID or IC card: 48.6%

・Security system to prevent unauthorized use and theft: 35.1%

・Remote IT monitoring and management: 32.4%

・Support system for when problems occur: 20.7%

・Low introduction cost: 13.5%

・Other: 0.0%

・None in particular: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

Obstacles to Unmanned and 24-Hour Operation: "Security Concerns" are Most Common at 76.0%

When asked, "Q5. Please tell us the factors that are hindering the unmanned and 24-hour operation of in-company stores at your company. (Multiple answers allowed)" (n=100), the responses were "Security concerns" at 76.0%, "High introduction costs" at 29.0%, and "Cannot find a service provider" at 29.0%.

Q5. Please tell us the factors that are hindering the unmanned and 24-hour operation of in-company stores at your company. (Multiple answers allowed)

・Security concerns: 76.0%

・High introduction costs: 29.0%

・Cannot find a service provider: 29.0%

・Internal consensus not reached: 27.0%

・Employees not accustomed to self-checkout registers: 26.0%

・No issues with current operations: 9.0%

・Other: 0.0%

・No particular obstacles: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

92.8% Respond That "No Contract Period Restrictions" is Important

When asked, "Q6. Do you think it is important for in-company stores to have no contract period restrictions (allowing for short-term reviews)?" (n=111), the responses were "Strongly agree" at 31.5% and "Somewhat agree" at 61.3%.

Q6. Do you think it is important for in-company stores to have no contract period restrictions (allowing for short-term reviews)?

・Strongly agree: 31.5%

・Somewhat agree: 61.3%

・Somewhat disagree: 7.2%

・Strongly disagree: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

96.4% Evaluate "Health Management Support" by Store Operation Companies as Attractive

When asked, "Q7. Do you find it attractive for in-company store operation companies to provide not only store services but also support for health events and health management?" (n=111), the responses were "Very attractive" at 33.3% and "Somewhat attractive" at 63.1%.

Q7. Do you find it attractive for in-company store operation companies to provide not only store services but also support for health events and health management?

・Very attractive: 33.3%

・Somewhat attractive: 63.1%

・Somewhat unattractive: 3.6%

・Not at all attractive: 0.0%

・Don't know/Cannot answer: 0.0%

Summary

This time, we conducted a survey on the current state of unmanned and 24-hour operation of in-company stores, targeting 111 HR and General Affairs managers involved in planning and implementing employee benefits who have already introduced or are considering introducing in-company stores or office convenience stores.

First, "Partially Unmanned (unmanned during certain hours)" was the most common operational format for in-company stores at 53.6%, and when combined with "Fully Unmanned" (34.5%), it was found that approximately 90% are adopting unmanned operations. The most common challenge in human operation was "Difficulty recruiting and securing staff" (59.2%), followed by "Labor cost burden" and "Restrictions on operating hours" (each 45.1%). Regarding the transition to unmanned operation using self-checkout registers, 97.2% showed a positive attitude, with "Specifically considering" (45.1%) and "Interested" (52.1%) combined. For factors prioritized in unmanned operations, "Ease of use of self-checkout registers" (73.0%) was the highest, followed by "Payment by employee ID or IC card" (48.6%). Regarding the provision of health management support by store operation companies, 96.4% rated it as attractive, with "Very attractive" (33.3%) and "Somewhat attractive" (63.1%) combined. On the other hand, "Security concerns" (76.0%) stood out as an obstacle to unmanned and 24-hour operation, followed by "Introduction costs" and "Lack of suitable service providers" (each 29.0%). Furthermore, the importance of no contract period restrictions was also highly rated, with "Strongly agree" (31.5%) and "Somewhat agree" (61.3%) combined reaching 92.8%.

This survey revealed that while the need for unmanned in-company stores is extremely high, security concerns are the biggest barrier to implementation. As it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain human-operated stores due to worsening labor shortages, the pressure to transition to unmanned operations is expected to intensify. It is possible that utilizing in-company store services that offer user-friendly self-checkout registers, health management support, and flexible contract terms, while addressing security concerns such as fraud prevention and remote monitoring, could be an effective strategy for enhancing employee benefits.

Download this survey:

https://www.shinko-jp.com/dl-20260701-survey-document/

For Employee Benefits, Unmanned Convenience Stores: "Shinko Store"

"Shinko Store" allows for the installation and operation of convenience stores in offices. This resolves workplace issues such as late-night shifts and labor shortages. As an unmanned office convenience store with approximately 270 stores nationwide, it supports 24-hour environments in logistics facilities, factories, and offices.

▼ What can be achieved with "Shinko Store"

01 | Convenient anytime with unmanned convenience stores! Establish a food environment available 24 hours a day.

02 | Contribute to improved employee satisfaction and the promotion of health management.

03 | Create a "gathering place" that promotes internal communication.

04 | Store operations that also function as corporate stockpiles and disaster preparedness measures.

05 | Flexible response from small spaces to large facilities and multiple locations.

06 | Comprehensive support from introduction design to operation.

Click here for details: https://www.shinko-jp.com/business/shinko-store/

Company Profile

Company Name: Shinko Holdings Co., Ltd.

Representative: President and Representative Director Tadashi Yamazaki

Location: JRE Amagasaki Front Building 2F, 1-2-6 Shioe, Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, 661-0976

Founded: March 1949

Capital: 70.43 million yen (consolidated)

Official HP: https://www.shinko-jp.com/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Survey
  • Organizations: IDEATECH