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Aeon (company) facts for kids

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Aeon
Public (Kabushiki gaisha)
Traded as
  • TYO: 8267
  • Nikkei 225 component
  • TOPIX Large70 component
Industry Retail
Founded September 21, 1926; 98 years ago (1926-09-21) (as Kabushiki gaisha Okada-ya Gofukuten, in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture)
Headquarters Aeon's headquarters in Mihama-ku, Chiba, ,
Japan
Number of locations
20,008 stores (2023)
Area served
Asia
Key people
Motoya Okada (岡田 元也 Okada Motoya), President
Services
Revenue Increase ¥8,176,732 million (FY 2016)
Increase ¥52,707 million (FY 2016)
Total assets Increase ¥8,225,874 million (FY 2016)
Total equity Increase ¥1,819,474 million (FY 2017)
Owners
  • MTBJ investment trusts (6.37%)
  • JTSB investment trusts (5.88%)
  • Mizuho Bank (3.93%)
  • AEON Environmental Foundation (2.56%)
  • Okada family (2.51%)
  • Norinchukin Bank (2.14%)
Number of employees
560,000+ (2023)
Subsidiaries

Aeon Co., Ltd. (イオン株式会社, Ion Kabushiki gaisha) is a huge Japanese company that owns many different types of stores. It's one of the biggest retail companies in Japan.

Aeon owns large hypermarkets called Aeon, along with shopping malls like Aeon Mall and Aeon Town. They also have supermarkets such as Daiei, MaxValu, Maruetsu, and My Basket. You might also know their Ministop convenience stores, Welcia drugstores, and Aeon Cinema movie theaters.

The company's story began way back in 1758 during Japan's Edo period. It started as a small shop called Shinohara-ya. Later, it was renamed Okada-ya. In 1970, Okada-ya joined with other companies to become Jusco. Through many mergers, Jusco grew and changed its name to Aeon in 2001. By 2021, Aeon was one of the top 20 largest retailers in the world.

What Does the Name "Aeon" Mean?

The name "Aeon" comes from an ancient Greek word, ho aion. This word means "eternal" or "for a very long time."

The company chose this name to show that they plan to be around forever. It represents their long-term vision and lasting presence in the retail world.

Aeon's Journey Through Time

Aeon Makuhari
Aeon supermarket in Chiba, Japan.

The company we know as Aeon today has a very long history. It was first started in 1758 as a small shop. In 1970, several companies merged to form Jusco Co., Ltd.

Jusco stands for "Japan United Stores Company." It became a well-known chain of large stores, similar to hypermarkets, across Japan. The employees voted to choose this name.

Over the years, Jusco expanded its business. In 2001, the company officially changed its name to Aeon Co., Ltd. Then, in 2011, all Jusco and SATY stores in Japan were renamed "Aeon." This helped bring all their large stores under one main brand.

Aeon Around the World

Aeon is not just in Japan; it has stores and malls in many other countries, especially in Asia.

Countries with Aeon Malls
Countries with Aeon Malls

Growing in Malaysia

AEON Mall Metro Prima, Kuala Lumpur 20230529 132419
An Aeon supermarket in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In 1985, the first Jusco store outside Japan opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was a joint project with local companies. By 1988, Jusco took full control of the stores.

Today, there are 62 Aeon stores and shopping centers across Malaysia. The oldest Jusco store still operating in Malaysia is in Taman Maluri. It opened on October 30, 1989.

The Aeon Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre in Klang is the largest Aeon store in Malaysia. It's also the biggest in Southeast Asia. This huge mall has over 200,000 square meters of space.

In 2012, all Jusco stores in Malaysia were rebranded to Aeon. Later that year, Aeon bought Carrefour Malaysia. This made Aeon the second-largest retailer in Malaysia. All former Carrefour stores became Aeon BiG.

In 2018, Aeon expanded to East Malaysia, opening its first mall in Kuching.

Expanding in Vietnam

The first Jusco store in Vietnam, "AEON MALL Tan Phu Celadon," opened in Ho Chi Minh City in 2014. Another large store, "AEON MALL Long Bien," opened in Hanoi in 2015.

Vietnam now has about 200 Aeon stores, including 6 large malls and many supermarkets. Aeon plans to open its first mall in Central Vietnam, in the city of Huế, in 2024.

Stores in Cambodia

The first Jusco store in Cambodia opened in Phnom Penh in 2014. As of 2023, Cambodia has three Aeon Malls. All of them are located in the capital city of Phnom Penh.

Presence in Mainland China

Juscoshenzhen july 05
A Jusco store in Shenzhen, China.

In Mainland China, Aeon uses both the "Aeon" and "Jusco" names for its stores. Since 1996, Aeon has opened many shopping malls.

There are currently thirteen shops in Guangdong province. Aeon also has large shopping malls in Beijing and Shunde. They plan to open even more stores in northern China.

Aeon in Hong Kong

JUSCO Lai Chi Kok Store (Hong Kong)
An Aeon store in Hong Kong.

Aeon Stores (Hong Kong) Co., Limited was started in 1987. It aims to offer good value products to customers in Hong Kong.

The first Jusco store in Hong Kong opened in Kornhill in 1987. In 2013, the Hong Kong Jusco stores were renamed Aeon Stores (Hong Kong). They manage shopping malls, supermarkets, and other retail shops.

These stores offer everyday items like food, clothes, and home goods. As of March 2013, Hong Kong has eight Aeon General Merchandise Stores. There are also many smaller Aeon Supermarkets and other specialized stores.

Stores in Taiwan

In Taiwan, Jusco stores are part of Taiwan Aeon Stores Co., Ltd. The first Jusco store in Taiwan opened in Hsinchu City in 2003. A second store opened in New Taipei City in 2005.

Operations in Thailand

All Jusco stores in Bangkok, Thailand, have now closed. Aeon Co., Ltd. now uses the MaxValu name for its stores there instead.

Other Countries

Aeon also has a presence in other countries in Southeast Asia. This includes shopping malls in Indonesia and Myanmar.

See Also

  • Don Quijote (store)
  • Maxvalu Tokai
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