7-Eleven is preparing to shut hundreds of stores across North America this year, underscoring the growing pressure facing convenience retailers as inflation and higher fuel costs weigh on consumer spending.
According to earnings filings released last week, the North American operator of the convenience store giant plans to close 645 locations during fiscal 2026. That figure far exceeds the 205 stores it expects to open over the same period.
Parent company Seven & i Holdings Co. said the closures will include some stores being converted into wholesale fuel locations. Company filings show that 7-Eleven has been steadily expanding that side of its business in North America, where it operated more than 900 wholesale fuel stores as of December 2025.
The company has not yet explained exactly why the closures are being made or which locations will be affected. The Associated Press said it had contacted the company for further details.
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7-Eleven remains one of the world’s largest convenience store chains, with more than 86,000 stores across 19 countries and regions, according to its website. In North America alone, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. operates more than 13,000 locations in the United States and Canada.
Still, the latest round of closures highlights the tougher environment the company is navigating. Like many retailers, 7-Eleven has been cutting underperforming stores while consumers grapple with persistent financial strain. Rising prices have already been squeezing household budgets, and fresh turmoil in energy markets has added to the pressure, sending gasoline prices higher and making everyday spending even more difficult for many families.
Seven & i itself acknowledged signs of weakness in North America. In its April 9 report, the company said that while the broader economy remained resilient during fiscal 2025, personal consumption began to soften, especially among lower-income households still struggling under the weight of inflation.
The picture looks different outside North America, where expansion is continuing. Seven-Eleven Japan, for example, expects to close 350 stores while opening 550 new ones, suggesting stronger growth momentum in its home market and other overseas operations.
Overall, Seven & i is forecasting a 9.4% drop in revenue for the current fiscal year, with total sales expected to reach nearly 9.45 trillion yen, or about $59.5 billion.
At the same time, the company is pushing ahead with a broader transformation strategy aimed at reigniting growth. That plan includes investing more heavily in fresh food offerings and expanding its 7NOW delivery service as it tries to adapt to shifting customer habits.
The changes are unfolding under relatively new leadership. Stephen Hayes Dacus became CEO of Seven & i last spring, and the coming year may prove to be an early test of how effectively he can steer the company through a more challenging retail climate.
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