Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. operates convenience stores in Japan, North America, and internationally. Its business segments include Domestic Convenience Store, Overseas Convenience Store, Superstore, Financial-Related, and Others. The company is also involved in 7-Eleven operations, online food and internet shopping, multi-copy services such as tickets, franchising and licensing, leasing, non-life and life insurance, and credit cards. It additionally engages in system development, printing, and shiitake mushroom production. Incorporated in 2005, the company is headquartered in Chiyoda, Japan.
¥300bn SoftBank/PayPay capital injection completed Seven & i raised about 300 billion yen by selling treasury shares to SoftBank, PayPay and Sumitomo Mitsui Card, each paying 100 billion yen. The cash strengthens its balance sheet and funds a partnership linking 7-Eleven's 22,000 stores with PayPay's payment app and customer data.
This is the period's biggest new event and directly lifts the stock via fresh capital and growth prospects.
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PayPay alliance to merge payments with store shopping PayPay formalised a capital and business alliance with Seven & i, SoftBank and LY, aiming to combine PayPay's roughly 75 million users with 7-Eleven's stores and data for personalised offers and digital finance. More engaged customers could mean higher store sales over time.
It shows the concrete commercial payoff of the capital tie-up, a new growth driver for the stock.
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Kumamoto earthquake forces about 80 store closures A magnitude-7 earthquake in Kumamoto shut roughly 80 Seven-Eleven stores, with over 100 convenience stores closed across operators due to power cuts and damaged roads. Lost sales and repair costs are a near-term drag, though the hit is regional, not company-wide.
It is a fresh, material operational setback that weighs on earnings this period.
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Seven-Eleven warns franchisees over resold copyrighted goods Seven-Eleven issued a nationwide warning to franchise buyers after finding unauthorised resale of copyrighted anime and game goods. The issue is small financially but adds regulatory and reputational risk, a modest counterweight to the positive capital and partnership news.
It is the period's only other new company-specific negative and balances the otherwise positive picture.
Q3 2026
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Seven & i Raises Profit Forecast, Secures PayPay Deal, Expands in Europe
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Profit Forecast Raised on Strong Q1 Seven & i raised its full-year net profit forecast to ¥278bn after Q1 operating income jumped 122%, driven by overseas gasoline revenue and a weaker yen. This signals stronger profitability and boosts investor confidence.
Directly explains the positive earnings surprise and guidance increase that likely lifted the stock.
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PayPay Capital Injection and Partnership SoftBank and PayPay completed a ¥300bn capital injection, strengthening the balance sheet and linking 7-Eleven's 22,000 stores with PayPay's 75 million users for personalised offers. This enhances digital strategy and financial flexibility.
Major strategic and financial event that improves growth prospects and balance sheet strength.
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European Expansion via Zabka Stake Seven & i negotiated a stake in Poland's Zabka to accelerate European expansion. This move opens a new growth market and diversifies revenue streams beyond Asia and North America.
New geographic expansion initiative that could drive long-term growth.
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Operational and Legal Risks Emerge High US gas prices are curbing impulse purchases, and 7-Eleven faces a California lawsuit over alleged AI gas-price fixing. A magnitude-7 Kumamoto earthquake closed roughly 80 stores, and Seven-Eleven warned franchisees over unauthorised resale of copyrighted goods, adding regulatory and reputational risk.
These are material headwinds that could pressure sales and increase costs, offsetting positive drivers.
News & notes moving3382.JP
Japan
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Major Convenience Store Chains Expand Apparel Offerings, Aiming to Attract Younger Customers with Fashion-Driven Visits
Major convenience store chains are expanding their apparel offerings, including clothing and fashion accessories. Seven-Eleven Japan has partnered with apparel giant Adastria to launch 28 Seven-exclusive items nationwide on September 25, including T-shirts, scrunchies, and seasonal scarves from the popular young women's brands Nico and and Lowrys Farm. According to Seven-Eleven, about 40 percent of last fiscal year's customers were aged 50 or older, while those in their 20s or younger accounted for only about 17 percent. Junko Watanabe of the merchandise division stressed that attracting younger customers is essential, and the company aims to double its apparel sales by fiscal 2025. FamilyMart, which moved early to strengthen its clothing lineup, began nationwide sales of its own brand Convenience Wear in 2021, featuring a famous designer. Its flagship store, which opened in Tokyo in July this year, is equipped with fitting rooms and carries about 300 items, with a target of 30 billion yen in sales for fiscal 2026, 1.5 times the previous year. Lawson has also expanded the range and floor space for Muji clothing since April, and on September 29 launched gloves and other items in collaboration with the lifestyle brand Bruno. According to the Japan Franchise Association, customer traffic at existing convenience stores has fallen below the same month a year earlier for 14 consecutive months, and attention is focused on whether apparel products can create destination-purchase demand and boost sales per store.
3382.JP · Demand · Positive Seven-Eleven Japan partners with Adastria to launch 28 exclusive apparel items nationwide, aiming to double apparel sales by fiscal 2025 and attract younger customers.
Lawson, Inc. · Demand · Positive Lawson expanded Muji clothing range and floor space and launched Bruno collaboration items on September 29 to drive store traffic.
TACC launches new Signature Herbal Refresh menu, sold across 7-ELEVEN
TACC has launched its new Signature Herbal Refresh menu to boost second-half sales. Chatchawee Wattanasuk, Chief Executive Officer of T.A. Consumer Public Company Limited, or TACC, said the company places consistent emphasis on developing new menus to create variety and offer more choices to consumers. The menu blends the intensity of an Americano with All Select's proprietary orange juice formula, adding a fizzy lift for a fragrant, sweet-and-sour, refreshing taste that is easy to drink. It is on sale starting today at 7-ELEVEN stores nationwide that carry All Select. Chatchawee said that bringing new products and flavors into the portfolio will give consumers more choices and make the sales channel more appealing, while also supporting sales growth over the remainder of the year.
TACC.BK · Demand · Positive TACC launched its new Signature Herbal Refresh menu to boost second-half sales across 7-ELEVEN stores.
CPALL.BK · Demand · Positive New All Select Signature Herbal Refresh menu sold at 7-ELEVEN nationwide, potentially boosting store traffic and beverage sales.
3382.JP · Demand · Positive New All Select beverage menu is sold at 7-ELEVEN stores nationwide, adding a new product offering to its shelves.
Seven & I to Strengthen Apparel with Joint Development with Major Apparel Maker
Seven-Eleven Japan announced on the 8th that it will jointly develop clothing and fashion accessories with a subsidiary of major apparel maker And ST Holdings (HD), and will sequentially launch them at stores nationwide from the 25th. The company aims to strengthen its product lineup with exclusive products for Seven-Eleven, attract younger customers, and double its apparel sales revenue compared to fiscal 2025. The products to be sold include Seven-Eleven exclusive T-shirts from popular And ST HD brands such as "niko and..." and "LOWRYS FARM," as well as socks and hair ties, totaling 28 items including seasonal scarves and gloves. From late October, the company will also introduce 10 collaborative items, including sweatshirts featuring Sanrio's popular character Hello Kitty.
3382.JP · Demand · Positive Seven-Eleven Japan will jointly develop exclusive apparel with And ST HD and launch 28 items to attract younger customers and double apparel sales revenue.
8136.JP · Demand · Positive Sanrio's Hello Kitty character will feature on 10 collaborative apparel items sold at Seven-Eleven stores nationwide.
Seven to Introduce Self-Service Shipping Terminals
Seven-Eleven Japan announced on the 26th that it will gradually introduce dedicated terminals called "self-shipping terminals" that allow customers to handle procedures for items listed on flea market apps without going through the cash register. While traditional counter reception took several minutes, the process can now be completed in about 10 seconds, including dropping the package into a dedicated box in the store. The terminals, provided by Yamato Transport, allow users to scan the barcode from the flea market app, attach a label, and send packages up to 20 centimeters in height and 33 centimeters in width that fit into the drop-off slot. The aim is to reduce waiting times at the register and lessen the operational burden on stores, with a goal of introducing the terminals to about 3,000 stores, mainly in the Kanto and Kansai regions, by next spring.
Seven & i raises 300 billion yen from SoftBank and others
Seven & i Holdings has accepted investments of 100 billion yen each from SoftBank, PayPay, and Sumitomo Mitsui Card, totaling 300 billion yen. The aim is to accelerate convenience store reforms by bringing in outside capital, integrating the group's common ID "7iD" into "PayPay ID," and expanding the points-based economic sphere while promoting the use of AI and robot technology. Its domestic convenience store business has lagged FamilyMart and Lawson in growth, and through this partnership the company aims to create a "future-style convenience store."
PayPay forms capital alliance with Seven & i to link digital payments and store shopping
PayPay announced a capital alliance with Seven & i Holdings, SEVEN-ELEVEN JAPAN, SoftBank, and LY Corporation to integrate digital payment and physical retail experiences in Japan. The partnership aims to combine PayPay's payment platform and 75 million users with Seven & i's roughly 22,000 SEVEN-ELEVEN stores and customer data to build personalized shopping and digital financial services. The alliance is described as a long-term growth initiative for all partners and a material development for PayPay shareholders.
Ibotta becomes exclusive CPG offers provider for 7-Eleven
Ibotta has partnered with 7-Eleven to become the sole third-party provider of consumer-packaged goods offers across the retailer's app ecosystem, excluding age-restricted products. The deal covers the 7-Eleven, 7NOW and Speedway applications, giving Ibotta access to more than 11,500 US store locations and over 100 million loyalty members through its Performance Network platform. CPG brands will be able to run pay-for-performance promotions with payment triggered only upon a verified sale, while shoppers can clip Ibotta-enabled offers within the apps before completing purchases in store, at fuel pumps, or through delivery orders. The agreement marks Ibotta's further push into convenience retail and introduces closed-loop measurement for CPG promotions to the channel at this scale for the first time.
IBTA · Demand · Positive Ibotta becomes exclusive CPG offers provider for 7-Eleven, expanding its platform to over 11,500 stores and 100 million loyalty members.
3382.JP · Demand · Positive 7-Eleven's parent company benefits from enhanced customer engagement through Ibotta's offers, potentially driving sales.
Seven & i secures 300 billion yen from SoftBank, PayPay and Sumitomo Mitsui
Seven & i Holdings has secured 300 billion yen, equivalent to 1.91 billion dollars, from SoftBank, PayPay and Sumitomo Mitsui Card through a third-party allotment of treasury shares. Each investor will subscribe 100 billion yen for 48.30 million common shares. The capital collaboration supports broader business partnerships combining 7-Eleven's network of more than 20,000 stores in Japan with the partners' digital platforms, customer bases and technology capabilities. Near-term plans include linking Seven & i's 7iD membership platform with PayPay accounts and allowing customers to earn and redeem PayPay Points and V Points at 7-Eleven stores, while longer term the partners will explore using shared customer data to personalise offers and apply SoftBank's AI, robotics and digital transformation tools to store operations.
Kioxia, Seven & i, and 20 Other Companies Announce Share Buybacks
After the close on July 31, 22 companies including Kioxia and Seven & i Holdings announced share buybacks. Kioxia will acquire up to 30 million shares, representing 5.5% of outstanding shares, for a maximum of 800 billion yen, while Seven & i will acquire up to 189,663,300 shares, or 8.19% of outstanding shares, for a maximum of 399,999,989,700 yen, both through ToSTNeT-3 on the morning of August 3. Resona Holdings will buy back up to 30 million shares, or 1.34%, for up to 50 billion yen from August 3 through January 31, 2027. Alps Alpine will acquire up to 20 million shares, or 10.3%, for up to 30 billion yen from August 3 through March 31, 2027, and cancel all repurchased shares. Marvelous will buy back up to 4,630,700 shares, or 7.61%, for up to 2,167,167,600 yen through ToSTNeT-3, and will cancel 5,003,341 shares, representing 8.04% of outstanding shares, effective August 6.
285A.JP · Capital · Positive Announced share buyback of up to 5.5% of outstanding shares for up to 800 billion yen.
3382.JP · Capital · Positive Announced share buyback of up to 8.19% of outstanding shares for up to 399,999,989,700 yen.
6770.JP · Capital · Positive Announced share buyback of up to 10.3% of outstanding shares for up to 30 billion yen and will cancel all repurchased shares.
7844.JP · Capital · Positive Announced share buyback of up to 7.61% of outstanding shares and will cancel 8.04% of outstanding shares.
8308.JP · Capital · Positive Announced share buyback of up to 1.34% of outstanding shares for up to 50 billion yen.
Seven & i to Conduct Third-Party Allotment of Around 300 Billion Yen to SoftBank-SMBC Group
Seven & i Holdings has announced it will dispose of treasury shares to SoftBank, PayPay, and Sumitomo Mitsui Card Corporation as allottees. The total amount will be around 300 billion yen. A notification has been filed with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau.
3382.JP · Capital · Positive Raises ~300 billion yen via third-party allotment of treasury shares to SoftBank, PayPay, and SMCC.
9434.JP · Capital · Positive SoftBank Corp. is a major allottee in Seven & i's ~300 billion yen share placement.
9984.JP · Capital · Positive SoftBank Group is a major allottee in Seven & i's ~300 billion yen share placement.
Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company, Limited · Capital · Positive Sumitomo Mitsui Card Corporation is a major allottee in Seven & i's ~300 billion yen share placement.
Couche-Tard to Acquire Polish Convenience Store Giant Żabka for About 32.6 Billion Zloty
Canadian retail giant Alimentation Couche-Tard has announced it will acquire Polish convenience store giant Żabka Group for about 32.62 billion zloty. Earlier this month, it was reported that Seven & i Holdings was in final negotiations to invest in Żabka, but the talks reportedly fell through due to disagreements over terms.
Mobile Service Disruptions Continue After Kumamoto Earthquake; Convenience Stores and Gas Stations Temporarily Closed
Mobile phone service disruptions and temporary closures of convenience stores and gas stations continued on the 29th following the earthquake that registered a maximum seismic intensity of 7 in Kumamoto Prefecture. NTT Docomo, KDDI, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile reported that calls and data services remain unavailable in parts of the prefecture due to power outages at base stations and transmission line failures, with no timeline for restoration. Major convenience store operators Seven-Eleven Japan, Lawson, and FamilyMart have temporarily closed a total of over 100 stores in the prefecture due to power outages and worsening road conditions, and are rushing to resume operations while providing relief supplies to disaster victims. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, 18 gas stations in the affected areas had suspended operations as of 1 p.m. on the 29th, with another 101 stations under status confirmation, impacted by the suspension of shipments from two oil terminals in Yatsushiro City. Japan Post has halted all counter services and Yu-Pack parcel handling in the prefecture, and Nippon Express has also suspended cargo acceptance and collection and delivery across wide areas of the prefecture.
Kumamoto Earthquake Deals Severe Blow to Retail and Distribution; Building Collapse and Unaccounted Individuals at Aeon Mall Kumamoto
The earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture has caused widespread damage to distribution, retail, and food and beverage manufacturers. At Aeon Mall Kumamoto, extensive damage including the collapse of part of the second floor has been confirmed, and four employees remain unaccounted for. Among convenience stores, Seven-Eleven has closed about 80 stores in the prefecture, Lawson 55 stores, and FamilyMart 39 stores, while Don Quijote has one store in Yatsushiro City temporarily closed. In the restaurant sector, Zensho Holdings has suspended operations at a total of 18 outlets including six Sukiya locations, Skylark Holdings at 12 stores in Kumamoto and two in Kagoshima Prefecture, and McDonald's Holdings Company Japan at 12 stores in Kumamoto. In manufacturing, the Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Plant, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Kumamoto Plant, Mercian Yatsushiro Plant, Yamazaki Baking Kumamoto Plant, and Koikeya Kyushu Aso Plant have halted operations and are conducting safety checks.
7-Eleven Price Lock feature challenges Costco gas discounts
7-Eleven's 7Rewards loyalty program offers a Price Lock feature that lets customers secure a low fuel price for four days, potentially undercutting Costco's gas prices. The feature, available through the 7-Eleven app, allows users to lock in a price and pay the lower amount if prices drop, providing a hedge against rising gas costs. The national average for regular gasoline hit $4.09 per gallon on July 23, up 15 cents from the prior week, driven by crude oil prices in the $90 per barrel range. Costco has reported record gas volumes as price-sensitive consumers seek the best deals, with 35% of gas customers also going inside the store after fueling. While Costco's value proposition is frictionless, 7-Eleven's Price Lock could offer cheaper gas in certain scenarios, though such instances may be rare.
3382.JP · Demand · Positive 7-Eleven's Price Lock feature is a new loyalty program benefit that could attract more gas customers and increase store traffic.
COST · Competition · Negative 7-Eleven's Price Lock feature could undercut Costco's gas prices, potentially reducing Costco's gas volume and in-store traffic.
GASOLINE · Supply · Positive Article mentions crude oil prices in $90 range driving gas prices up, which is positive for RBOB gasoline futures.
Seven & i Holdings ends investment talks with Poland's Zabka Group
Seven & i Holdings has stopped discussions on a potential investment in Zabka Group, Poland's largest convenience store operator. The Japanese retail group said it was unable to reach agreement with the seller on terms it considered to be in the best interests of its shareholders and other stakeholders. The proposal under consideration involved taking a stake running into several tens of a percent, in a transaction that could have reached several hundred billion yen. Seven & i indicated that Europe remains an attractive growth opportunity and it will continue to evaluate opportunities in the region. In a separate development, Seven & i named Mauricio Leyva as CEO of its North American convenience store arm, 7-Eleven (SEI), effective 1 August 2026.
Seven & i and PayPay to Integrate Customer IDs, Creating a Massive Points Ecosystem with Over 100 Million Registrants
It was learned on the 23rd that Seven & i Holdings and major smartphone payment provider PayPay are considering integrating their customer IDs. The combined number of ID registrants for both companies exceeds 100 million, and if the integration is realized, a massive points ecosystem will be born. Seven & i operates the group's common points program, Seven Mile, while PayPay has approximately 60 million registrants. The two companies are coordinating to begin offering a new common ID as early as spring 2024.
US and Saudi Arabia Reach Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
The United States and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement on nuclear technology cooperation, paving the way for American companies to build nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia. However, it may also allow Saudi Arabia to enrich fuel on its own. Meanwhile, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer revealed that the US is unlikely to renew the USMCA trade agreement with Mexico and Canada by 2026 and will push for a temporary deal before the end of this year. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps disclosed that it intercepted three oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with one of them exploding and catching fire. Yemen's Houthi group claimed to have carried out military operations targeting two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea for violating newly announced maritime restrictions. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned that if the US attacks Iran's infrastructure, Iran will block all oil exports from the West Asia region and strike energy and economic infrastructure across the region. On another front, the British Prime Minister's Office announced that Prime Minister Andy Burnham will cut business rates for pubs, clubs, and music venues by 20% starting April next year, pledging to protect businesses that are the heart of British communities. Additionally, Amazon is being investigated by the US Senate over allegations that its employees in China may have interfered with platform decisions and allowed certain sellers to receive preferential treatment through bribery. The US has also accused Chinese startup Moonshot AI of stealing AI technology from Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 model. In Japan, Seven-Eleven, the country's largest convenience store operator, issued a warning to franchise buyers nationwide after discovering unauthorized resale of copyrighted goods from popular anime and games. Sources also revealed that Adani Group, the business conglomerate of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, is considering establishing a new airline, which could impact competition in India's aviation market currently dominated by Air India and IndiGo. The Japanese government is preparing to revive its student exchange program with Russia for the first time in seven years, starting this August, after suspending it due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
WTI · Geopolitics · Negative Iran and Houthi attacks on oil tankers threaten supply, but Iran's threat to block all oil exports from West Asia is a major supply disruption risk.
AMZN · Regulation · Negative Amazon is being investigated by the US Senate over bribery allegations involving its employees in China.
3382.JP · Regulation · Negative Seven-Eleven issued a warning to franchise buyers after discovering unauthorized resale of copyrighted content.
Seven-Eleven Warns Franchisees Over Unauthorized Resale of Popular Character Merchandise
Seven-Eleven Japan has warned franchisees nationwide after discovering that some store owners and employees were buying up and reselling popular anime and game character merchandise. In a document dated the 13th, the company stated that pre-announcement sales and bulk buying and reselling by store personnel had been confirmed through social media posts and customer reports, and it demanded strict compliance with the ban on priority purchases, advance reservations, and holding items. The company has also received complaints, and explained that such improper conduct leads to a decline in customer trust and brand damage, adding that it will thoroughly reinforce awareness to ensure fair sales.
3382.JP · Regulation · Negative Seven-Eleven Japan warns franchisees over unauthorized resale of character merchandise, which damages brand trust and may lead to stricter compliance costs.
Eel season heats up with price drops on abundant fry and debut of full-cycle farmed eel
Ahead of the midsummer Day of the Ox on the 26th, the eel sales season is in full swing. Following last year's abundant catch of glass eels, farmed eel prices have fallen. Two major supermarket chains have cut prices on their flagship products, while a department store has begun selling the world's first fully farmed eel. Aeon Retail is offering a large 156-gram grilled eel fillet from Kagoshima Prefecture at a base price of 2,180 yen before tax, 500 yen cheaper than last year, and from the 24th will also introduce a new roughly double-sized 300-gram version. Ito-Yokado will sell eel rice bowls using eel from Shizuoka Prefecture from the 25th at a base price of 1,980 yen before tax, 400 yen lower than last year. On the 22nd, the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store began selling a limited run of 73 fully farmed grilled eels, each about 165 grams, for 5,500 yen including tax, using eel from Yamada Suisan, which started the world's first trial sales in May.
山田水産 · Technology · Positive Yamada Suisan's fully farmed eel is highlighted as world's first, showcasing technological breakthrough.
3382.JP · Pricing · Neutral Aeon and Ito-Yokado (Seven & I) cut eel prices, but impact on Seven & I is mixed: lower prices may boost volume but squeeze margins.
PepsiCo warns convenience store snack sales are slipping as gas prices stay high
PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta warned that rising gas prices are causing U.S. consumers to cut back on impulse snack purchases at convenience stores, signaling trouble for chains like 7-Eleven. During the company's second-quarter earnings call, Laguarta said certain impulse channels are seeing a slowdown in converting traffic into purchases, a trend he linked directly to the cost of fuel. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline hit $3.94 on July 16, up 10 cents in a week, and has remained above the $3.50 threshold that historically triggers a decline in restaurant traffic, according to Black Box Intelligence. PepsiCo is working with retail partners on bundles and meal deals to boost purchase incidence, but the challenge persists because foodservice items like prepared meals and dispensed beverages are critical profit drivers for convenience stores, accounting for 38.9% of in-store gross profit dollars in 2025, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores.
PEP · Demand · Negative PepsiCo CEO warns high gas prices are reducing impulse snack purchases at convenience stores, hurting demand for its products
3382.JP · Demand · Negative 7-Eleven (Seven & I) is a convenience store chain facing reduced snack sales due to high gas prices, as noted in the article
Seven & i Announces It Is Considering and Discussing an Investment in Poland's Largest Convenience Store Chain, Żabka Group
Seven & i Holdings commented on the 17th that it is true that it is considering and discussing an investment in Poland's largest convenience store chain. The disclosure was made in response to some media reports, and the company stated that no decisions have been made at this time. The Nikkei electronic edition reported on the 16th that Seven & i has entered final adjustments toward investing in Poland's Żabka Group. The company is reportedly considering acquiring a stake of several tens of percent held by investment funds and others, with the investment amount expected to be in the several hundred billion yen range.
3382.JP · Capital · Positive Seven & i is considering a large investment in Żabka Group, which could expand its international convenience store footprint.
Zabka Group S.A. · Capital · Positive Żabka Group is the target of a potential investment from Seven & i, indicating strong interest and potential valuation uplift.
Costco opens first standalone gas station in California, signaling possible shift in fuel strategy
Costco has quietly opened its first standalone gas station in Mission Viejo, California, a move that could pressure nearby convenience retailers and marks a potential shift in how the warehouse club uses fuel to attract members. The new station features a 17,185-square-foot gas canopy with 40 fueling positions and is accessible only to Costco Warehouse members. It is selling regular gasoline for $4.59 per gallon, roughly 71 cents below the Orange County average according to AAA. Costco also has plans for a second standalone station in Hawaii, though the company has not commented on broader expansion plans. Analysts suggest that if Costco expands this standalone strategy, competing chains like 7-Eleven, Circle K, Casey's General Stores, Murphy USA, and BP America may feel pressure to narrow fuel margins.
COST · Demand · Positive Costco opens first standalone gas station, potentially attracting more members and increasing fuel sales.
CASY · Competition · Negative Costco's standalone gas stations could pressure Casey's General Stores to narrow fuel margins.
MUSA · Competition · Negative Costco's expansion could pressure Murphy USA to narrow fuel margins.
3382.JP · Competition · Negative Costco's standalone stations could pressure 7-Eleven (Seven & I) to narrow fuel margins.
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc · Competition · Negative Costco's standalone stations could pressure Circle K (Alimentation Couche-Tard) to narrow fuel margins.
Seven & i Holdings is considering selling a sizable stake to SoftBank and PayPay, a move that could end its standalone strategy and bring new technology, payments and customer reach into the business. The retailer may issue several hundred billion yen in new shares, according to Bloomberg. SoftBank, PayPay and Sumitomo Mitsui are reportedly aiming to reach an agreement this summer, although talks remain fluid and could still fall apart. The partnership could connect Seven & i with PayPay rewards and SoftBank's mobile customer base, potentially lifting store visits and spending, while also supporting automation, AI-driven logistics and lower operating costs. However, new shares would dilute earnings per share and return on equity unless the partnership generates enough growth to offset the impact.
Seven & i posts 122% jump in Q1 operating income, lifts FY26 outlook
Seven & i Holdings reported a 122.4% year-on-year jump in first-quarter operating income to 105 billion yen, or about 649 million dollars, on a like-for-like basis excluding the deconsolidation of York Holdings and Seven Bank. Net income attributable to owners of the parent climbed 95.3% to 60.6 billion yen, with earnings per share rising 118.4% to 26.21 yen. Merchandise sales across the convenience store group grew 3.2% to 2.42 trillion yen, while revenues from operations came to 2.37 trillion yen and EBITDA stood at 233.2 billion yen. Seven-Eleven Japan posted same-store sales growth of 2%, and the US arm, 7-Eleven SEI, recorded same-store merchandise sales growth of 1.4% with total store sales up 1.2% to 2.38 trillion yen. The company raised its full-year FY26 outlook, now forecasting operating income of 425 billion yen, a 10.5% rise on a like-for-like basis, and net income of 278 billion yen, up 9.1%.
SoftBank and PayPay to Invest Several Trillion Yen in Seven & i
It has come to light that SoftBank and PayPay are considering an investment in Seven & i Holdings. The investment amount is expected to be on the scale of several trillion yen, aiming to expand their points-based economic ecosystem through a capital partnership with the largest convenience store operator.
Seven & i raises profit forecast as Q1 gas earnings surge
Seven & i Holdings raised its full-year profit forecast after a surge in fuel margins at its North American convenience store business drove a strong first quarter. Net profit for the three months ended May 31 rose 24% year over year to ¥60.60 billion, with overseas convenience store segment operating profit jumping to ¥65.59 billion from ¥8.69 billion a year earlier, powered by fuel margin gains. The domestic convenience store segment saw a 4.2% operating profit decline to ¥52.24 billion, while revenue fell to ¥2.38 trillion from ¥2.78 trillion partly due to the deconsolidation of subsidiaries including Seven Bank. The company now expects full-year revenue of ¥10.43 trillion and net profit of ¥278 billion, up from earlier projections of ¥9.45 trillion and ¥270 billion, though net profit would still be about 5% lower than the prior fiscal year. It also raised its operating income forecast to ¥425 billion from ¥405 billion, citing stronger-than-anticipated fuel profits from North American operations and a favorable yen exchange rate. The strong quarter comes as Seven & i prepares for an initial public offering of its North American business, which has been postponed until at least the fiscal year starting in March 2027 due to rising oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict. The company also announced that its board resolved to cancel treasury stock to address concerns about future share dilution.
7-Eleven sues Nike over Air Max 95 sneaker trademark infringement
7-Eleven has filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against Nike, seeking to block the release of an Air Max 95 sneaker that allegedly copies the convenience store's signature tri-color palette. The lawsuit claims Nike deliberately and willfully imitated 7-Eleven's tricolor mark to associate the footwear with the brand, and notes the shoe was set to launch on July 11, which 7-Eleven promotes as its own day. Nike has not responded to a request for comment.
California drivers sue gas station owners for allegedly using AI to inflate prices
A group of California drivers has filed a class-action lawsuit against gas station operators including Marathon Petroleum, BP, Circle K, 7-Eleven, and Walmart, accusing them of using an artificial intelligence tool to coordinate high prices and inflate costs at the pump. The lawsuit, filed in Sacramento federal court, claims the defendants violated the Cartwright Act and a new state law, Assembly Bill 325, which took effect January 1 to crack down on algorithmic price fixing. According to the complaint, gas prices have climbed as much as 30 cents per gallon in areas where a high percentage of stations use the AI tool, with each penny costing California drivers an extra 134 million dollars annually and pushing prices to astronomical levels sometimes reaching 7 dollars per gallon. The defendants operate more than 1,700 gas stations in California.
7-Eleven offers 50-cent-per-gallon gas discount on July 7 and 11
7-Eleven will offer all customers 50 cents off per gallon on July 7 and 11 as part of a fuel promotion tied to its 7Rewards loyalty program. Members who text ALLIN to 711711 can also receive an extra 50 cents off per gallon on the 7th and 11th of every month through July 11, 2026. The promotion comes as the national average for regular gasoline has fallen to $3.99 per gallon, the first time below $4 since March 30, according to AAA. Kroger is running a 4X Fuel Points promotion on Fridays from June 12 through July 24 and July 1-4, allowing customers to earn four points per dollar spent on groceries. A Numerator survey found that 93% of drivers are trying to save money on gas, and 61% say gas prices are impacting their ability to afford other expenses.
GASOLINE · Demand · Negative Gasoline demand may be supported by discounts, but the article notes falling prices and consumer saving efforts, implying weak demand.
KR · Demand · Neutral Kroger's 4X Fuel Points promotion is mentioned as a competing fuel discount, but impact on Kroger is unclear.
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