Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is set to shut down a significant number of stores in the upcoming year, as revealed in recent financial reports. The North American arm of 7-Eleven plans to close 645 stores in the 2026 fiscal year, surpassing the 205 new stores it aims to open during the same period.
Parent company Seven & i Holdings, headquartered in Japan, stated that the closures will involve the transition to wholesale fuel outlets. Data indicates that 7-Eleven has been steadily expanding its network of wholesale fuel stores in North America, with over 900 locations established by December 2025.
While the company did not provide immediate details on the closures or specify the affected stores, it has a global presence with more than 86,000 stores in 19 countries. In North America alone, 7-Eleven Inc., headquartered in Texas, manages over 13,000 locations in the United States and Canada.
Over the years, 7-Eleven has closed numerous underperforming stores, a trend that continues amid rising global prices. Escalating fuel costs, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions such as the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran, have led to surging gas prices for consumers.
Even before the recent geopolitical events, persistent inflation has been a challenge for consumers. Seven & i highlighted in its latest report that while the economy in North America remained strong, personal spending began to decline in the 2025 fiscal year, particularly among lower-income households due to ongoing inflationary pressures.
Meanwhile, Seven & i’s subsidiaries outside of North America are expected to open more stores than they are closing, including Seven-Eleven Japan, which plans to open 550 locations while closing 350 stores according to financial filings.
The company anticipates a 9.4% decline in revenue for the current fiscal year, amounting to an estimated nearly 9.45 trillion yen (around $81.95 billion Cdn). In pursuit of growth opportunities, Seven & i introduced a comprehensive transformation plan last year, focusing on enhancing its convenience store offerings. Initiatives include investing in fresh food products and expanding its “7NOW” delivery service.
These strategic changes coincide with the appointment of a new CEO, Stephen Hayes Dacus, who assumed leadership at Seven & i last spring.
