News

Kukan Inc. was recently featured in the Hokkaido Shimbun, showcasing the expansion and appeal of unmanned stores selling food products.

Source Article: Expansion of Unmanned Food Stores: “Nikuya’s Nikuyasan” Expands Outside of Hokkaido, Benefits in Labor Cost Reduction (Full article requires free registration)

The Rise of Unmanned Stores Across Hokkaido

As one of the companies managing an unmanned sweets shop, 24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine, Kukan Inc. was interviewed. Amid rising prices and annual increases in the minimum wage, demand for unmanned stores is growing. According to our CEO, this model offers “an interesting business with no labor costs,” making it increasingly attractive from a management perspective. Nationwide, the number of unmanned stores selling food is rising, including not only sweets like ours but also meat and gyoza shops.

The Benefits of Unmanned Retail from Our Perspective

24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine is open 24 hours, enabling sales throughout the day and night. Running a staffed operation 24/7 would incur enormous labor costs. Assuming one staff member is present at all times, the monthly cost in Sapporo, considering the city’s minimum wage of 1,010 yen and night shift rates, would reach around 780,000 yen (approximately $7,000 USD).

Opting for an unmanned system saves this cost, enabling us to invest in better payment systems and user convenience to provide customer satisfaction levels comparable to staffed shops.

Current Status of 24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine

Opened on July 20, the shop has seen great success, thanks to effective social media marketing and media coverage. By October 9, we had exceeded 15,000 transactions (a proxy for total visitors).

We deeply appreciate every customer who has visited, and we are committed to delivering high customer satisfaction and continuing our customer-first philosophy.

Building a Sweets Shop Together with the People of Sapporo and Hokkaido

At 24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine, we are excited to embark on new challenges together with the people of Sapporo and Hokkaido. Our mission is to contribute to community interactions, local business growth, and enhancing connections through sweets.

Take the first step with 24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine!

Supplier Recruitment

We are seeking new sweets suppliers for our Sapporo Teine shop. This is a perfect opportunity for Hokkaido-based sweets manufacturers and small businesses to showcase their products nationwide.

• Requirements
  • Frozen sweets
  • Flexible packaging options (compatible with JAN codes, etc.)

Pastry Chef Collaboration

We are looking for Hokkaido pastry chefs to partner with us in raising the quality of our sweets. Join us in product development and quality supervision to spread Sapporo’s sweets across Japan.

• Requirements
  • Frozen sweets
  • Able to participate in menu development and quality supervision

Ambassador Recruitment

We are inviting local influencers to join as ambassadors for 24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine. We welcome those who can help promote the shop’s charm through social media and product tasting.

• Benefits & Requirements
  • 3,000 yen worth of sweets provided
  • Mandatory posts on Instagram, TikTok, etc.
  • Minimum 5,000 followers (3,000+ followers if residing in Teine Ward)

Event Participation Opportunities

24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine seeks opportunities to participate in events across Hokkaido, such as the Lilac Festival, Autumn Fest, and Snow Festival. Let’s work together to bring popular sweets from across Japan to these events.

Features of 24 Sweets Shop

• A selection of popular sweets from Japan and around the world
• An impressive variety and exciting new flavors
• Nearly 100 types of exclusive sweets not available at convenience stores

Hiring & Collaboration Opportunities

With our growth, we are actively recruiting for various roles at 24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine. We are also looking for creators and artisans to collaborate with us in building a unique sweets shop.

• Positions Available
  • Shop Staff (University interns, part-time workers)
  • Store Manager (Part-time)
  • Content Creators (Videographers, writers)
  • Space Designers
  • Carpenters and artisans

Social Media Content Creation & Web Marketing Services

Leveraging Instagram management expertise developed at 24 Sweets Shop, we offer social media management and web marketing services for restaurants and retailers in Teine Ward, Sapporo. Our localized marketing support helps to attract customers effectively and enhance branding.

Achievements

• 9,500 Instagram followers as of October 2024
• 5,000 monthly visitor groups (2–3 people per group)

Franchise & Owner Change Opportunities

24 Sweets Shop offers franchise and owner change opportunities. For those interested in the sweets business, we provide full support, including operational know-how to help ensure success. With our solid customer base, 24 Sweets Shop is an ideal new business start.

• Advantages
  • Operational Support: Headquarters supports stable store management.
  • Existing Stores: Take over an established store with minimal risk.
  • Customer Base: Utilize our reputation and customer knowledge for stable profits.

Press Inquiries

24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine is open to media inquiries for coverage on our store’s charm and activities. We welcome TV, newspaper, web, and social media outlets to reach out.

Media Coverage

• TVh Hokkaido TV: Switchin!
• HTB Hokkaido TV: Popular segment “#Buzzkin” on Ichioshi!!
• HBC Radio: Gucci’s Good Friday!
• UHB Hokkaido Bunka Hoso: Itoko!
• SASARU HOKKAIDO: Hokkaido’s First Unmanned Sweets Store
• STV Sapporo TV: Doskanko Wide 179

We look forward to hearing from you! Please feel free to reach out!

〈Store Information〉

Store Name	24 Sweets Shop Sapporo Teine
Location	13-2-1, Maeda 6-jo, Teine-ku, Sapporo (across from Bikkuri Donkey Teine Maeda branch)
Hours	Open 24 hours
Access	20-minute walk from JR Hakodate Main Line Teine Station; 10-minute walk from Hokkaido University of Science
Instagram	https://www.instagram.com/24sweetsshop_sapporoteine

〈Company Overview〉

Company Name	Kukan Inc.
URL	https://kukanhokkaido.co.jp/
Headquarters	2F, Sharm Toyohira, 4-3-1-1, Toyohira 4-jo, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Established	November 29, 2022
Capital	1,000,000 yen
Representative	Kentaro Yamamoto