7-eleven and convenience stores

I used to work at 7-eleven when I was younger. Did you know that? I worked the register and was a stock boy. I worked there during my summer vacations in high school. It was a very valaable experience for me.

Have you ever worked in a convenience store?
Do you use convenience stores often?
If yes, what for?

Now, in America and in Japan and all over the world, there is a financial crisis. But recently I read that in Japan, because people want to save money by not going out to dinner, they have been using convenience stores more. Also, smokers also prefer to buy cigarettes in a convenience store rather than use a vending machines which requires a the registration of a special "smoker's card." And, these smokers tend to buy some food or a drink when they buy the pack of cigarettes. Therefore, as a result of the two above factors, convenience stores profit has actually risen recently. Can you believe that?

Read this article for more:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nb20081113a2.html