The iconic 7-Eleven stores have become indispensable in many countries. The world’s largest convenience store operator is now represented in 19 countries and regions. Overall, the group maintains a subsidiary of the Japanese Seven
“Convenience food is a global trend and a growing market. With a high-quality range of fresh food and beverages, 7-Eleven is already a leader in this segment in Asia and North America,” it says. It would have been recognized that the need for “high-quality convenience food is also great in Europe”. That’s why Seven Eleven is now concentrating on expanding in Europe, which according to the “Lebensmittel Zeitung” includes France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Austria and Switzerland are also possible markets.
And the group also sees great potential here in Germany. According to Statista, German sales in this segment will be around EUR 10.53 billion in 2023, and a market volume of EUR 11.90 billion is forecast for 2027. “With a strong branch network and innovative products, 7-Eleven wants to create a larger convenience Create an offer in Germany,” announced the company. 7-Eleven International LLC, the master franchisor of the 7-Eleven brand worldwide, is currently seeking suitable master franchise candidates who would like to participate in the development of the new branches. The prerequisite for this is an existing retail, gastronomy and/or hotel operating concept.
“We want to become the one-stop shop where people can quickly and conveniently get quality food and beverages despite their busy lives,” said Ken Wakabayashi, Co-CEO of 7-Eleven International. In 2017, 7-Eleven celebrates its centenary. The company was founded in 1927 in Oak Cliff, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. The first markets were called “Tote’m”, the name 7-Eleven has been in use since 1946 and comes from the fact that the shops were open from 7am to 11am.
The Japanese entrepreneur Masatoshi Ito, who died in March of this year, made a significant contribution to the worldwide success. In 1956, according to the BBC, he took over his family’s textile company. In 1972 he went public with several department stores and supermarkets. He later relied on franchise agreements with the US fast-food chain Denny’s and 7-Eleven. He took over the latter company in 1990 and turned his group of companies into the largest retailer in Japan, eventually bringing 7-Eleven to global prominence.
Sources: BBC, “Lebensmittel Zeitung”, press portal, Statista
