Labor Shortages and Rising Costs Challenge Taiwanese Convenience Store Viability

A study found that nearly 10 percent of convenience stores nationwide were not operating around the clock in 2022, and this figure is projected to rise. The shortage is attributed to low birthrate and labor shortages. Personnel expenses make up more than 70 percent of a convenience store’s total operating costs, and the minimum wage has increased by 63.3 percent over the last decade.

Academic analysis suggests that graveyard shifts may run at a loss if a store lacks sufficient nighttime foot traffic. The combination of rising labor costs and difficulty maintaining a sufficient workforce puts pressure on the financial viability of the convenience store model.