Family mart announced on October 28 a new strategy to develop and sell sweets beyond desserts and towards bread, ice cream, and beverage products.

The first round of product development focused on chocolate as Family Mart plans to sell 13 products, such as chocolate fondant and Danish.

A stable supply through a yearly contract with producers and a centralized cacao harvest to chocolate production process to reduce transportation costs allowed for stable chocolate costs amid a cacao bean price surge caused by poor harvest.

The convenience store expects an increase in customers and purchases with the strategy as sweets are one of the top reasons that customers visit.

Other convenience stores are implementing their own sweets strategies.

7-Eleven brought back sweets that previously sold well as part of a revival series, including almond tofu and cream puffs.

Meanwhile, Lawson plans to develop more frozen sweets as those profits continue to see an increase.