Editing Convenience store (section)

===Singapore===<!-- This section is linked from [[Convenience shops in Singapore]] -->
{{See also|Mama shop}}
Major convenience shops in [[Singapore]] are [[7-Eleven]] owned by [[Dairy Farm International Holdings]] and Cheers owned by [[NTUC Fairprice]].<ref name=pwc>Price Waterhouse Coopers. (2005/2006). Singapore. ''From Beijing to Budapest: Winning Brands, Winning Formats'', 4, p. 189.</ref> Figures from the Singapore Department of Statistics showed that there are 338 7-Eleven shops and 91 Cheers outlets in 2004.<ref>"Upstart Mini-marts". (22 October 2006). ''The Sunday Times''.</ref> Other convenience shops such as Myshop and One Plus appeared in 1983. Myshop belongs to a Japanese company, and One Plus belongs to Emporium Holdings.<ref>"Convenience Stores Pose Threat to Supermarkets". (23 March 1984). ''The Business Times''.</ref>

Various reasons unique to Singapore have been given for the popularity of convenience shops. Convenience shops sell a wide range of imported goods, whereas minimarts and provision shops sell local products with a limited range of non-Asian products.<ref name="pwc"/> Convenience shops are situated within [[housing estate]]s, thus reducing consumers' travel time. Most families in Singapore are dual-income families.<ref>Loh, Choon-Min James. (1988). ''The Adoption of A Retailing Innovation in A Newly Industrialising Country: The Modernisation of Local Provision Shops in Singapore''. United Kingdom: The British Library, p. 61.</ref> Since both spouses work, there is greater need for convenience in shopping for daily necessities. The 24-hour opening policy allows convenience shops to reach out to a larger group of consumers. First, the policy caters to the shopping needs of consumers who work shifts or have irregular working hours.<ref>"Can 24-hr marts thrive in S'pore?" (15 May 2005). ''The Straits Times''.</ref> Secondly, the policy caters to the increasing number of Singaporeans who keep late hours. A 2005 economic review by [[Price Waterhouse Coopers]] reported that 54% of Singaporeans stayed up past midnight.<ref>Price Waterhouse Coopers. (2005/2006). Singapore. ''From Beijing to Budapest: Winning Brands, Winning Formats'', 4, p. 193.</ref>

====7-Eleven====
{{Main|7-Eleven}}
[[Image:uspmadeleine1a.jpg|thumb|upright|A 7-Eleven shop under a block of flats]]

7-Eleven began the trend of convenience shops in Singapore when it opened its first shop in 1982 by [[Jardines (company)|Jardines]], under a franchise agreement with Southland Corporation of the United States.<ref name="ReferenceA">"The Business Times reports that in Singapore chains of mini-markets (or convenience shops) have rapidly sprung up to fill the gap between the large supermarkets and the neighbourhood shops (or provision shops). (1984, November 15). ''Business Times Singapore''.</ref> [[DFI Retail Group|Dairy Farm International Holdings]] acquired the chain from Jardines in 1989.<ref>Dairy Farm reviewing 7-Eleven businesses in Singapore and Malaysia ''[[Business Times (Singapore)|Business Times]]'' 12 April 1986</ref>

The number of 7-Eleven outlets continued to increase in 1984 while other chains were having difficulty expanding. One Plus was unable to expand due to the shortage of good sites. The original owners of the Myshop franchise, which had seven outlets, sold out to one of its suppliers due to a lack of demand.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In 1985, 7-Eleven faced difficulty in finding favourable locations and failed to meet its one-shop-a-month target. The situation improved in 1986 with a new [[Housing & Development Board]] (HDB) tendering system, which allowed 7-Eleven to secure shops without having to bid too high a price.<ref>The 7-Eleven convenience store chain in Singapore, the franchise of which is held by Jardine Matheson, should nearly double its expected rate of opening one new store each month by the end of the year ''Business Times'' 5 November 1986</ref> 7-Eleven shops are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Sundays and public holidays.<ref>Loh, Choon-Min James. (1988). ''The Adoption of A Retailing Innovation in A Newly Industrialising Country: The Modernisation of Local Provision Shops in Singapore''. United Kingdom: The British Library, p. 34.</ref> This 24/7 policy was seen as the reason that gave 7-Eleven its edge over its competitors.

In 1990, there was a rise in the number of shop thefts in 7-Eleven. The shoplifters were usually teenagers who stole small items such as chocolates, cigarettes and beer.<ref>Convenience shops hit regularly by grabbers ''[[The Straits Times]]'' 4 May 1990</ref> In response to the increase in the number of thefts, 7-Eleven stepped up security measures, which successfully lowered the crime rate by 60%.<ref>Chain stores' anti-crime moves pay off with 60% drop in crime rate ''The Straits Times'' 1 December 1991</ref>

====Cheers====
[[Image:uspmadeleine1cc.jpg|frame|right|Notice posted at Cheers to deter robbery]]
Started in 1999, Cheers is owned by local corporation [[NTUC FairPrice]].<ref>"NTUC Link Pte. Ltd. (2005). Cheers. [Online]. Available: {{cite web|url=http://www.linkpoints.com.sg/linkpoints/merchants/merchant_subdetail.aspx?id%3D73 |title=NTUC LinkPoints |access-date=2007-04-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070602095920/http://www.linkpoints.com.sg/linkpoints/merchants/merchant_subdetail.aspx?id=73 |archive-date=2007-06-02 }}"</ref> Cheers has adopted 7-Eleven's 24/7 model and taken similar security measures to prevent cases of shoplifting. Convenience shop owners seeking franchising seem to prefer Cheers over 7-Eleven, probably due to its cheaper franchise fee.<ref>"7-Eleven: Growing and getting closer to you". (19 June 2004). ''The Straits Times''.</ref>