Convenience store giant 7-Eleven is set to shut down hundreds of outlets this year as part of a major restructuring plan.
According to recent financial filings, its North American operator is expected to close around 645 stores in the 2026 fiscal year, while opening approximately 205 new locations over the same period. Some of the closures are linked to conversions into wholesale fuel stores, a segment the company has been steadily expanding in recent years.
Parent company Seven & i Holdings, based in Japan, said the group continues to adjust its retail footprint globally. While North America sees more closures, operations in other regions, including Japan, are still expected to record net store growth.
The company, which operates more than 86,000 7-Eleven outlets across 19 countries, has not disclosed which specific locations will be affected. In the U.S. and Canada, its network exceeds 13,000 stores.
Executives have pointed to ongoing economic pressures, including inflation and shifting consumer spending, as key factors behind weaker performance in certain markets. The group also noted softer consumption trends among lower-income households in recent reports.
At the same time, Seven & i is pushing forward with its transformation strategy, focusing on fresh food expansion and digital services such as its 7NOW delivery platform, as it looks to strengthen long-term growth under new leadership.
