Seven & I shares rise 3% amid speculation on stake negotiations with Polish convenience chain Zabka
In a significant move toward international expansion, shares of Seven & i Holdings Co, the parent company of the popular 7-Eleven chain, experienced a 3.6% increase on Friday following a report by a media source indicating that the company is close to finalizing a deal to acquire a stake in the Polish convenience retailer Zabka Group. This potential investment is anticipated to be valued at several hundred billion yen and is part of Seven & i’s broader strategy to penetrate the Eastern European market.
Zabka Group, established in 1998, has rapidly grown to encompass more than 10,000 franchise-operated stores across Poland, focusing on selling hot meals and groceries. The appeal of Zabka is reflected in its recent stock performance, with shares climbing 10.9% to reach a record high on the Warsaw Stock Exchange ahead of the reported acquisition.
The decision to invest in Zabka aligns with Seven & i’s objective to expand its global footprint, raising its number of stores worldwide from 87,000 to a target of 100,000 by the year 2030. According to the media source, the anticipated investment in Zabka could enhance Seven & i’s retail network significantly, providing a strategic foothold in Europe—a region where it has been increasing its investments in recent years.
Experts, such as Amir Anvarzadeh, a market strategist at Asymmetric Advisors, suggest that the market’s reaction reflects a robust investor sentiment regarding Seven & i’s bolstered investment strategy after a period of dormancy following its acquisition of 7-Eleven Australia. The operating model of Zabka could serve as an advantageous platform for further expansion into Central European markets, fostering potential synergies and collaborative ventures between the two entities.
This proposed acquisition marks a pivotal return to major international retail investments for Seven & i, following limited activity in this arena since its acquisition of 7-Eleven Australia in 2024, where the company gained full ownership, and its prior purchase of the U.S.-based convenience store operator Speedway for billion in 2021.
While Seven & i Holdings has not provided any comments regarding the acquisition, Zabka Group stated it does not comment on unverified rumors related to potential stock transactions. This emerging partnership highlights a growing trend of convenience store operators seeking to extend their reach into new markets amidst evolving consumer demands.
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