Aeon store

Japanese retailer Aeon plans to integrate its three supermarket arms under the one Aeon brand, for an estimated saving of ¥50bn (US$585m) annually, reported the Associated Press.

The company will fold its Mycal Corp unit – which operates Saty brand stores – and its Aeon Marche Co unit – which took over Carrefour SA’s Japanese outlets – into its Aeon Retail Co arm, which runs the company’s Jusco brand stores.

Aeon Japanese business has been faltering over the last few years in the face of the slugging Japanese economy and falling consumption levels, and the integration will save Aeon significant amounts in personnel and accounting costs.

Aeon plans to have the integration complete by February.