Marukou Corporation

Marukou Corporation (株式会社スーパー丸幸) was a Japanese supermarket chain headquartered in Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture. It originated in 1913 as a marine products wholesaler, was incorporated in 1953, and later expanded into supermarket retailing across Gunma Prefecture. At its peak it operated multiple stores in the southwestern and central parts of the prefecture, including locations in Tomioka, Fujioka, Takasaki, Annaka, and Maebashi. The company was a member of the CGC Group and the New Japan Supermarket Association (NSAJ, now the National Supermarket Association). Facing intensifying competition from other supermarkets and drugstores entering its core market, Marukou gradually reduced its store count. By 2024 it operated only two stores: the Tomioka Bypass store and the Fujioka Miyamoto store. On November 3, 2024, all stores were closed, and the retail business was transferred to Trial Company. The company then shifted to a real estate leasing business using its former store assets. In January 2026, a shareholders' meeting resolved to dissolve the company. After selling its real estate, its assets were insufficient to cover debts exceeding 1 billion yen, and the Maebashi District Court Takasaki Branch ordered special liquidation on July 16, 2026. Marukou was known locally for selling 'horumon-age' (fried chikuwa skewers), a local dish of Tomioka, as a side dish in its Tomioka stores. Its affiliated companies included Gunko Corporation and Asunaro Foods Corporation, the latter originally established in 1993 as 'Delica Marukou' before changing its name in 1996.

Marukou Corporation was founded in 1913 (Taisho 2) as a marine products wholesaler. While continuing wholesale operations, the company strengthened its retail business. In 1953 (Showa 28), the company was incorporated. Its first supermarket store opened in Yoshii Town, Tano District (now Yoshii Town, Takasaki City), followed by stores such as the Fujioka store and the Nanokaichi store. The Bypass store, opened in 1992 (Heisei 4), was the company's first large-scale store. From the 2000s onward, competition intensified as other supermarket and drugstore chains entered the Seimo region in southwestern Gunma Prefecture, where Marukou was based. In response, Marukou expanded into Maebashi City in central Gunma Prefecture, operating six stores, but this was not enough, and the company eventually reduced its scale to one store each in Tomioka City and Fujioka City. On November 3, 2024 (Reiwa 6), all stores were closed. The retail business was transferred to Trial Company, and the company shifted to a real estate leasing business using its former stores as capital. In January 2026 (Reiwa 8), a shareholders' meeting resolved to dissolve the company. After selling its real estate, its assets were still insufficient to cover debts exceeding 1 billion yen, and the Maebashi District Court Takasaki Branch ordered the commencement of special liquidation on July 16 of the same year. At the time of its supermarket business withdrawal, the company operated two stores as of July 12, 2024, according to an archive of its official website: the Tomioka Bypass store (2330-1 Tomioka, Tomioka City), located along National Route 254 and the Tomioka Bypass, which also housed the merchandise department; and the Fujioka Miyamoto store (1143-1 Fujioka, Fujioka City). The Tomioka store sold 'horumon-age' (fried chikuwa skewers), a local dish of Tomioka, as a side dish. Both stores closed on November 3, 2024, and transitioned to Trial stores. The Tomioka Bypass store reopened as 'Trial Smart Tomioka Bypass' on December 20, 2024, and the Fujioka Miyamoto store reopened as 'Trial Smart Fujioka Miyamoto' on January 22, 2025. Other former stores included: Annaka store (Annaka City), located along National Route 18, west of Gunma Prefectural Annaka Sogo Gakuen High School (formerly Gunma Prefectural Annaka Jitsugyo High School); Kuragano store (Takasaki City), opened in 1980 (Showa 55), located south of Kuragano Station along National Route 17; Fresh Market Fujioka store (Fujioka City), located southwest of Gumma-Fujioka Station; Nanokaichi store (832 Nanokaichi, Tomioka City), commonly known as 'Nanokaichi Mart', opened in May 1980 (Showa 55) and closed on August 16, 2022 (Reiwa 4); Nishiyoshii store (Yoshii Town, Tano District), located south of Nishiyoshii Station along National Route 254; and Hirose store (33-1 Tenkawa Oshima-cho, Maebashi City), opened in December 2003, whose site later became Welcia Maebashi Tenkawa Oshima store. Affiliated companies included Gunko Corporation and Asunaro Foods Corporation (corporate number: 1070001009677), which was established in 1993 (Heisei 5) when the delicatessen division became independent as 'Delica Marukou', and changed to its current name in 1996 (Heisei 8). It was located at 1822-3 Nagane, Yoshii-cho, Takasaki City, but changed its address to Tomioka City on March 6, 2018, and was closed on January 19, 2022.

• 2026

  Shareholders' meeting resolved to dissolve the company in January; special liquidation ordered on July 16.

• 2025

  Fujioka Miyamoto store reopened as 'Trial Smart Fujioka Miyamoto' on January 22.

• 2024

  All stores closed on November 3; retail business transferred to Trial Company.

• 2024

  Tomioka Bypass store reopened as 'Trial Smart Tomioka Bypass' on December 20.

• 2022

  Nanokaichi store closed on August 16.

• 2003

  Hirose store opened in Maebashi City.

• 1996

  'Delica Marukou' changed its name to Asunaro Foods Corporation.

• 1993

  Delicatessen division became independent as 'Delica Marukou'.

• 1992

  Bypass store, the company's first large-scale store, opened.

• 1980

  Kuragano store and Nanokaichi store opened.

• 1953

  Company incorporated.

• 1913

  Founded as a marine products wholesaler.

Local supermarket chain serving Gunma Prefecture, with a focus on community-oriented retail and local products.

• Groceries

• Fresh food

• Horumon-age (fried chikuwa skewers)

1. 1スーパー丸幸 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
2. 2Marukou Corporation - Wikidatawikidata.org