Convenience store operator Lawson plans to expand the product range sold at its convenience stores and radically reform its business model to resemble that of the Uniqlo clothing chain. Under its new growth strategy, Lawson will increase the number of stores selling fresh produce.

While the company has been pushing this concept for years, the recent disasters in Japan have prompted it to step up its expansion plan.

The retailer will increase the number of stores offering perishables from about 2,000 to 7,000, or about 70% of all stores, over the next three to four years.