Monday, June 16, 2025

Japanese Convenience Store Giant Under Attack by Rival Chain

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Getty Images A 7-Eleven convenience store, operated by Seven & i Holdings, in Kawasaki, Japan.
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7-Eleven, the world’s largest convenience store chain

The recent announcement of a buyout offer for 7-Eleven by a Canadian competitor stirred shockwaves in Japan, as a Japanese corporate giant being acquired by a foreign entity is unprecedented.

7-Eleven boasts 85,000 stores across 20 nations and territories, offering quick and affordable yet delectable meals, particularly thriving in markets like Japan and Thailand.

The company, with more stores globally than McDonald’s or Starbucks, received a bid valuing it over $30 billion, causing its stock to surge.

This potential acquisition signals a shift as Japanese firms were traditionally buyers rather than targets for takeovers.

Furthermore, the weakened yen and government initiatives promoting mergers make such transactions compelling.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Acquisition /ˌækwɪˈzɪʃən/ (noun): The act of gaining possession or control of something often a company or asset.
  2. Unprecedented /ʌnˈprɛsɪˌdɛntɪd/ (adjective): Never done or known before; without previous example.
  3. Surge /sɜrdʒ/ (verb): To increase suddenly and powerfully.
  4. Compelling /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/ (adjective): Evoking interest attention or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.
  5. Corporate /ˈkɔːr.pə.rət/ (adjective): Relating to a large company or group.
  6. Initiatives /ɪˈnɪʧəˌtɪvz/ (noun): The ability to assess and initiate things independently; a strategy or plan to address a problem.

How much do you know?

How many stores does 7-Eleven boast across 20 nations and territories?
50,000 stores
65,000 stores
85,000 stores
100,000 stores
Which markets is 7-Eleven particularly thriving in?
USA and Canada
Japan and Thailand
China and India
Australia and New Zealand
How much was the bid that valued 7-Eleven over?
$15 billion
$20 billion
$25 billion
$30 billion
Which other companies have fewer stores globally than 7-Eleven?
Walmart and Target
Amazon and Google
McDonald's and Starbucks
Apple and Microsoft
What does the potential acquisition of 7-Eleven signal?
A decrease in store numbers
A shift in Japanese firms being targets for takeovers
An increase in local ownership
No change in ownership structure
What makes the potential acquisition compelling according to the text?
Strengthened yen
Decreased government involvement
Initiatives discouraging mergers
Weakened yen and government initiatives promoting mergers
This question is required

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