If we were to ask you to name the first convenience store chain to pop into your head, what would you say?

Without a doubt, most people would say 7-Eleven.

Over the decades the chain, which has thousands of locations worldwide, has truly become iconic.

The chain has become so iconic that it has been parodied by dozens of TV shows and movies, including The Simpsons.

The chain, which will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2027, got its start in the Dallas, Texas area selling blocks of ice for ice boxes.  Within a few years, the chain had grown to 16 locations and was selling basic grocery items (in addition to the ice).

As of 2024, there are over 84,000 locations worldwide.

 

7-Eleven Store Closures

According to an October 2024 article on the Eat This, Not That! website, the massive convenience store chain plans to close nearly 450 locations nationwide.

The article explains that the parent company, 7 &I Holdings, announced during an October 10th earnings call that the chain would be closing 444 underperforming locations across North America.

The article explains that the chain has seen a drop in traffic since early 2023 and that it saw a significant 7.3% traffic drop in August 2024.

The article seems to indicate that the main reason for the drop in traffic is that high inflation is severely affecting the larges part of the chain’s customer base.  Not surprisingly, the majority of the chain’s customer base are lower and middle-income workers.

The article quotes a representative for the company as saying:

There is a growing polarization of consumption due to a decline in labor incomes, which is a result of challenging employment conditions, as well as inflationary pressures and high interest rates.

Additionally, a nationwide decline in tobacco use has also hurt the company.

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The company did not reveal which New England locations, if any, would be closing.

Locations in Maine include Lewiston, Brunswick, Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, and several Portland locations.  Locations in New Hampshire include Lincoln, Wolfeboro, Plymouth, and Tamworth.  The chain currently has over two dozen locations in Massachusetts.

Find an interactive map showing your closest 7-Eleven location HERE.

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