TRIAL Holdings

TRIAL Holdings (株式会社トライアルホールディングス) is a Japanese retail holding company headquartered in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It was established in 2015 through a single-share transfer to create a holding company structure, with Trial Company, Inc. (株式会社トライアルカンパニー) becoming its wholly owned subsidiary. The group operates discount stores and supercenters under the TRIAL brand across Japan, and has expanded into drugstores, bakeries, logistics, insurance, and resort operations. The company's origins trace back to 1974, when founder Hiromi Nagata opened a second-hand goods and recycling shop called Asahiya in Fukuoka City. The business was incorporated in 1981 and renamed Trial Company in 1984. Initially focused on software development and POS systems for retailers, the company opened its first discount store in 1992 and its first supercenter in 1996. Since 1999, sales have continued to grow for over 20 years. TRIAL Holdings is known for its emphasis on IT and retail DX. It developed the MD-Link data platform, established Retail AI Inc. in 2018, and introduced Smart Store Technology including Skip Cart self-checkout shopping carts and AI cameras. As of February 2025, approximately 20,000 Skip Carts were operating in 241 stores in Japan, the world's largest deployment of self-checkout shopping carts. In 2024, TRIAL Holdings listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market. In 2025, it acquired Seiyu Co., Ltd., a major supermarket chain with 245 stores mainly in the Kanto region, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. The group continues to expand its store network and pursue open innovation with partner companies.

The history of TRIAL Holdings begins in 1974 when founder Hiromi Nagata opened Asahiya, a second-hand goods and recycling shop in Sumiyoshi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. In 1981, the business was incorporated as Asahiya Co., Ltd., with Hisao Nagata becoming representative director. In 1984, the company changed its name to Trial Company, Inc. and opened its first electronics mass retailer, Elebit, in Hakata Ward. The company initially focused on developing POS systems for retailers and contract work for major computer manufacturers, developing its own software in-house. In 1992, Trial opened its first discount store, Trial Minamigaoka, in Onojo City, Fukuoka Prefecture. In 1996, it opened its first supercenter, Kitakyushu Airport Bypass Store, in Kitakyushu City, inspired by the supercenter format popular in the United States at the time. The company expanded outside Fukuoka Prefecture in 1998 with a store in Fukushima City, and continued to open stores across Japan, including in Kanto (2002), Chubu (2003), Chugoku (2004), Hokkaido (2008), Kansai (2006), Shikoku (2024), and Hokuriku (2024). In 2001, Trial began opening stores in former GMS (general merchandise store) locations that had been vacated by other retailers, accelerating nationwide expansion. In 2003, it established a software development base in Yantai, China. In 2009, it made Cowboy Co., Ltd., a discount food supermarket in Hokkaido, a wholly owned subsidiary. In 2010, it launched the MD-Link data platform to share data with manufacturers and stores. In 2015, Trial Holdings was established as a holding company through a single-share transfer, with Trial Company becoming a wholly owned subsidiary. In 2016, it began the Joint Business Plan (JBP) initiative with supply chain partners. In 2018, Retail AI Inc. was established to develop solutions such as Skip Cart and AI cameras. In 2021, the Remote Work Town Musubu Miyawaka project began. In 2022, the next-generation smart store TRIAL GO Wakita Store opened. In 2023, Aomori Trial and Trial Company succeeded part of the business of Satocho and Aomori Shokken. In 2024, Trial Holdings listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market. In 2025, it made Seiyu Co., Ltd., a supermarket chain with 245 stores mainly in Kanto, a wholly owned subsidiary.

• 2025

  Made Seiyu Co., Ltd. a wholly owned subsidiary.

• 2024

  Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market.

• 2023

  Aomori Trial and Trial Company succeeded part of Satocho and Aomori Shokken businesses.

• 2022

  Opened next-generation smart store TRIAL GO Wakita Store.

• 2021

  Remote Work Town Musubu Miyawaka project started.

• 2018

  Established Retail AI Inc.

• 2016

  Began Joint Business Plan (JBP) initiative.

• 2015

  Trial Holdings established as holding company.

• 2010

  Launched MD-Link data platform.

• 2009

  Made Cowboy Co., Ltd. a wholly owned subsidiary.

• 2003

  Established software development base in Yantai, China.

• 2001

  Began opening stores in former GMS locations.

• 1998

  First store outside Fukuoka Prefecture opened in Fukushima City.

• 1996

  Opened first supercenter, Kitakyushu Airport Bypass Store.

• 1992

  Opened first discount store, Trial Minamigaoka, in Onojo City, Fukuoka.

• 1984

  Renamed to Trial Company, Inc.; opened first Elebit electronics store.

• 1981

  Incorporated as Asahiya Co., Ltd.

• 1974

  Asahiya opened in Fukuoka City as a second-hand goods and recycling shop.

Discount-oriented retail group leveraging IT and AI to create Smart Stores and improve retail efficiency.

• Skip Cart

  Self-checkout shopping cart with tablet and barcode scanner; approximately 20,000 units in 241 stores as of February 2025.

• Retail AI Camera

  AI-powered camera for retail stores to monitor shelves and analyze customer flow.

• MD-Link

  Data platform sharing data between manufacturers and stores.

1. 1トライアルホールディングス | リテールDXを通じて世の中を豊かな社会へtrial-holdings.inc
2. 2会社沿革 | トライアルホールディングスtrial-holdings.inc
3. 3企業情報 | トライアルホールディングスtrial-holdings.inc
4. 4アクセス | トライアルホールディングスtrial-holdings.inc
5. 5TRIAL Holdings - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6トライアルカンパニー - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org