7-Eleven, Couche-Tard study stores for divestiture amidst potential deal

Both companies confirmed that a potential deal could require the sale of over 2,000 overlapping stores due to antitrust regulations.

Seven & i Holdings and Alimentation Couche-Tard have begun identifying thousands of locations they may need to divest should they finalize a merger.

According to announcements from both companies this week, a deal between the two retail giants would require the sale of more than 2,000 overlapping stores to satisfy antitrust regulations. Seven & i confirmed on Monday that it has already started exploring potential buyers for these locations.

The discussions come on the heels of significant leadership and structural changes at Seven & i. Less than a week ago, the company introduced a new CEO and announced plans for an initial public offering (IPO) of 7-Eleven’s North American operations. 

These moves have fueled speculation that Seven & i is laying the groundwork for a potential merger with Couche-Tard. If a deal materializes, it would create one of the most powerful players in the global convenience retail industry. 

On Thursday, Alimentation Couche-Tard held a media event in Tokyo, Japan regarding updates on its proposal to acquire Seven & i Holdings. The Canadian retail giant’s management team urged the Japanese company to reconsider its offer  and launched a new website to provide stakeholders additional insights into creating a global convenience champion.