Your Local 7-Eleven Might Be Closing Soon
The chain is closing hundreds of locations across North America.
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Next time you’re craving a Slurpee, it might be a little trickier to find. 7-Eleven is going to close 444 stores, or three percent of its 13,000 North American locations. The specific list of locations has not been released.
The chain’s Japan-based parent company, Seven & I Holdings, announced the closures in an earnings call on October 10. It cited several factors in the decision, including fewer customers with changing shopping habits.
Cigarettes used to be the largest purchase category for convenience stores, but today, food is 7-Eleven’s main draw. And, since the cost of food is rising overall, 7-Eleven customers appear to be shopping more selectively than they used to.
In response to these shifts, 7-Eleven plans to expand its food and beverage offerings, President and CEO Joe DePinto said in the call. It plans to add hot food items, grab-and-go options and coffee and espresso drinks to its menu. The chain will also continue to open stores in areas where demand is higher.
So, while it’s unclear whether your neighborhood will gain or lose a 7-Eleven location, we know that changes are coming.
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