Japanese retail group Seven & i Holdings has stopped discussions on a potential investment in Zabka Group, Poland's largest convenience store operator.
In a statement, Seven & i said discussions had been underway regarding the investment in Zabka.
The proposal under consideration involved taking a stake running into several tens of a percent, in a transaction that could have reached several hundred billion yen.
Explaining the decision to step back, Seven & i said it was unable to reach agreement with the seller on terms it considered to be in the best interests of its shareholders and other stakeholders.
Founded in 1998, Zabka runs 10,000 franchised stores across Poland, with a particular emphasis on food, including coffee and hot snacks.
The business trades on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and posted revenue of 27.15bn zlotys ($7.16bn) for the 12 months to December 2025.
Had it gone ahead, the investment would have marked a foothold for Seven & i in Eastern Europe, forming part of a broader push to grow its convenience store business internationally.
The group has set a target of expanding its total store network, spanning Japan and other markets, from 87,000 outlets to 100,000 by 2030.
On its wider ambitions, Seven & i said it “remains focused on the continued and disciplined execution of its global strategic plan”.
The company's European operations are currently concentrated in the Nordic region, with approximately 360 stores across countries, including Denmark and Norway.
Its broader global footprint remains concentrated in Japan and North America.
Despite the collapsed Zabka talks, Seven & i indicated it has not ruled out further moves in the region: "Europe remains an attractive growth opportunity for the company. Seven & i will continue to evaluate opportunities in the region that are consistent with its strategy and have the potential to create sustainable long-term value."
The group reiterated that it remains focused on the disciplined execution of its global strategic plan, “Transformation of 7-Eleven”.
In a separate development, Seven & i Holdings has named Mauricio Leyva as CEO of 7-Eleven (SEI), its North American convenience store arm, with the appointment taking effect from 1 August 2026.
Commenting on his appointment, Leyva said: “I have long admired the 7-Eleven brand, and I am honoured to lead SEI at such an important moment in its history. I look forward to working closely with our franchise owners, our associates, and the leadership team across Seven & i to unlock SEI’s full potential.”
