Mitsubishi to acquire major stake in Gourmet Delica

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) plans to acquire 80% of pre-cooked rice manufacturer Gourmet Delica Co from Kewpie Corporation.

Established by Kewpie in 1990, Gourmet Delica manufactures pre-cooked rice and other delicatessen items for use in lunch boxes. It has been supplying its products to MC Group company Lawson, which operates Japan's third-largest chain of convenience stores, for almost three decades.

MC is acquiring the segments of the business that cover its transactions with Lawson, which will split from the company to form a new entity with the same name. The new Gourmet Delica will become an MC Group company on 1 October, and the remaining segments, including non-Lawson related frozen confectionery, will continue operating under the name Soka Delica.

Kewpie will retain a 20% share of the new Gourmet Delica and plans to work with MC to further develop the company.

MC intends to become more directly involved in different sections of its food businesses supply chain, and further strengthen the MC Group's integrated supply chain.

The deal is expected to help Lawson reach its target of 600,000 yen in average daily sales per store (in Japan) by 2021, offer customers value-added products and raise customer satisfaction.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/lcrribeiro33@gmail