Seven & I Holdings is looking to Europe for its next phase of 7-Eleven’s global expansion, as the convenience retailer reassesses its international growth strategy following its exit from India.
According to Nikkei Asia, president and CEO Steve Dacus said the company aims to make Europe its fourth major growth pillar, alongside Japan, North America and Asia. The region’s relatively small store network presents an opportunity to expand its presence.
7-Eleven’s European footprint is largely concentrated in the Nordic region, where it operates about 360 stores in countries including Norway and Finland.
The expansion push follows setbacks in India, where all 31 7-Eleven stores had closed by the end of last month. The brand entered the market in 2021 through a licensing agreement with a major Indian conglomerate, but struggled to attract customers amid intense competition from local retailers.
Seven & I operated about 87,000 stores across 19 countries and territories at the end of August. While Europe is emerging as a potential growth market, the company is also exploring opportunities in Asia, with Dacus identifying Indonesia as a possible market for a return, supported by its economic growth.
Meanwhile, North America remains central to the group’s expansion strategy. Seven & I plans to open 1300 new stores and remodel more than 7000 existing locations across the region by 2030.
