Shockwaves in Japan as 7-Eleven Receives $30 Billion Buyout Offer from Canadian Rival
This week, Japan was taken by surprise when 7-Eleven’s parent company, Seven & i Holdings, announced it had received a $30 billion buyout offer from Canadian competitor Alimentation Couche-Tard. This marks the first time a Japanese company of this size has been approached by a foreign buyer, as Japan has historically been the one acquiring overseas firms.
7-Eleven, the world’s largest convenience store chain with 85,000 outlets in 20 countries, has thrived by offering affordable yet tasty meals, particularly in food-centric nations like Japan and Thailand. With over 25% of its stores located in Japan and approximately 10,000 in the US, the potential acquisition could reshape global convenience retailing.
The buyout bid has been fueled by the Japanese yen’s weakness against major currencies, making Seven & i an appealing target. However, the proposal remains in its preliminary stages and will likely face scrutiny from competition authorities. Meanwhile, Seven & i has been expanding its global footprint, including recent acquisitions in the US and Australia. Having started as an American brand in 1927, 7-Eleven’s potential return to North American ownership is raising questions about the future of foreign takeovers of Japanese firms.
