Summit, a supermarket continually evolving in line with customer’s tastes and lifestyles

One characteristic of Summit is its thoroughly rationalized store management. The key tool for this purpose is the Labor Scheduling Program (L.S.P), introduced to promote efficient store operations. Summit has also been adapting designs, product selections, provision methods and services to changes in the lifestyles and needs of its customers to provide them with what they want ahead of its competitors. This approach has been continually updated to keep up with the times.

Summit has established a system for quickly meeting the needs of local customers, by providing various goods and services not available at the stores of other retail chains. For instance, many stores have created eat-in spaces where customers can eat items purchased in the store, and these areas serve as community spaces where customers living in the neighborhood can relax. We also focus on sections providing ready-to-eat cooked foods, which are a priority for Summit. At these stores, fresh and delicious foods are cooked in a kitchen just beside the shopping area, using the vegetables, fish and meat that are on sale, and then served directly to customers at the grilled kitchen section, boiled and grilled fish section ("sozai" section), and the bakery. In the bakery section, pizza is baked in a special pizza oven, while bread is baked using dough kneaded from the flour. Like the "sozai" grilled dish section, the bakery area is open to shoppers so they can see the food being baked and appreciate the freshness of the bread. Given the rise in the number of single-person households, vegetables are offered loose, in small packages, and in precut form.

Meanwhile, shoppers are able to taste various food items and seasonings in another special area. Furthermore, a shopping concierge is posted at Summit stores to assist customers.

Summit develops a diverse range of store formats. Our recent focus is on establishing small stores in central Tokyo, represented by the Nabeya-yokocho store and KANDA SQUARE store opened in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Also, DX initiatives are being implemented for various purposes, including offering new shopping experiences and helping solve social issues, such as food loss, by ensuring appropriate order placement.

In July 2021, Summit set “GO GREEN” Challenge Initiative, which outlines the focus for social issues to contribute to the sustainable development of society.

Summit aims to address not only the global environment, but also local communities and customers, social contribution, and providing an employee-friendly, rewarding workplace.

Specifically, as an environmental initiative, Summit is actively promoting resources recycling for plastic bottles. We started a used plastic bottle collection service using automated collection machines manufactured by Tomra Japan Ltd., a Sumitomo Corporation Group company. This service allows customers to actively participate in the resources recycling , and has been introduced at the Setagaya Funabashi store newly opened in 2022.

In addition, Summit has embarked on a new project to go beyond the conventional concept of the supermarket and contribute to healthy longevity based on food and health. The project is called the "Healthy Community Corner" service, commonly known as "Kenkomi," launched in collaboration with KOKUBU GROUP, Tomod's (a Sumitomo Corporation Group company), and Sumitomo Corporation. Kenkomi was started on a trial basis at the Summit Hatogaya station square store and is now offered in four stores. Through health advice and the introduction of healthy recipes, we aim to play a part in helping local customers enjoy a rich life.