Seven & i Holdings plans to make Europe its fourth core market, rebalancing its footprint after exiting India and redirecting capital towards higher-return convenience networks.

In comments to Nikkei Asia, Seven & i CEO Steve Dacus described Europe as an underrepresented region that could become a fourth pillar of growth, joining the company's strongholds in Japan, North America, and Asia.

Under a medium-term plan running through fiscal 2030, the Japanese retail group intends to deploy roughly Y3.2tn ($20.2bn) in worldwide growth investments.

This capital commitment aims to lift 7-Eleven’s global store estate by 14% to approximately 100,000 locations, up from about 87,000 sites across 19 countries and territories as of August.

The brand’s presence in Europe remains small, limited to roughly 360 Nordic locations across countries such as Norway and Finland.

Seven & i previously sought an entry route into Eastern Europe through an equity stake in Poland’s Zabka Group but abandoned discussions in July after failing to agree on valuation and terms.

The European push coincides with strategic setbacks in emerging Asian markets.

Intense domestic retail competition led 7-Eleven to shut all 31 licensed stores in India by late September, concluding an initiative launched in 2021.

Seven & i is now reassessing its Asian operations, including a possible return to Indonesia.

North America remains the group’s primary overseas profit engine, contributing more than half of total operating profit.

Mauricio Leyva, appointed chief executive of US operating subsidiary 7-Eleven in August, is combining unprofitable store closures with product-led expansion.

The US unit intends to double private-label sales between fiscal 2025 and 2030, supported by fresh food sales where one-third of buyers are new customers.

The regional plan also targets 1,300 new store openings and more than 7,000 store remodels by 2030.