7-eleven to close hundreds of stores in North America

North American operator of the 7-Eleven convenience chain plans to close 645 stores in fiscal 2026 while opening 205 new locations.

The company said in its report, published last week, that the closures are partly linked to the conversion of some outlets into wholesale fuel-format stores, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Parent company Seven & i Holdings Co noted that 7-Eleven Inc. has been expanding such formats in North America in recent years, with its number exceeding 900 by December 2025.

The company has not disclosed which specific stores will close and has not provided detailed explanations for the cuts, with media inquiries remaining unanswered.

According to the company, 7-Eleven operates more than 86,000 stores across 19 countries, with over 13,000 locations in the United States and Canada.

The report comes as the war between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to disrupt global energy markets, pushing fuel prices higher and increasing pressure on consumers.

The closures are also taking place amid weakening consumer demand, rising inflation, and higher costs linked to the conflict.

Seven & i said household spending in North America began to decline in fiscal 2025, particularly among lower-income groups.

At the same time, the company continues to expand elsewhere, including plans to open 550 stores in Japan while closing 350.

Seven & i expects revenue to fall 9.4% in the current fiscal year to around 9.45 trillion yen ($59.5 billion), as it continues a broader restructuring strategy focused on fresh food offerings and the expansion of its 7NOW delivery service.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov