AEON Snapshot
Japanese giant AEON CO. has enough retail ventures to last for eons. The holding company has about 155 subsidiaries and owns or franchises more than 12,000 stores. It runs Japan's largest supermarket chain, with 1,280-plus stores under the MaxValu and other banners, and more than 3,500 MINISTOP convenience stores. AEON also operates specialty chains, including The Body Shop and Laura Ashley stores in Japan. It has a joint venture in Japan with Sports Authority and also operates HapYcom, a leading drugstore chain in Japan. Other operations include shopping center development and financial and credit card services. Facing slow growth at home, AEON is expanding in China and other high-growth Asian economies.