Will Japan Allow Circle-K to Acquire 7-Eleven?
The battle of the konbini is on in Japan
On August 19, Seven & i Holdings, the Japanese parent company of 7-Eleven received an offer to acquire the business from Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT), the Canadian owner of rival Circle-K convenience store chains.
The deal, if accepted, would create a worldwide convenience store goliath. But those of us who love the remarkable and unique convenience store culture in Japan are holding our breath, hoping the deal doesn’t go through.
What’s So Special About Japanese Konbini?
Visit Japan and one of the most remarkable things you’ll discover are the wonderful convenience stores. Known in Japan as konbini, you can find one, or four, on nearly every busy corner.
If you’re used to convenience stores in the U.S. or elsewhere, they may look the same on the outside, but inside they’re very, very different.
The konbini are convenient of course, but more than that, they’re truly great. Just-made bentos fill the shelves at lunchtime, a huge selection of onigiri rice balls, nikuman buns, and oden for dinner, or fresh sandwiches and salads if you’re so included. Every month the stores release new seasonal specials to offer the variety Japanese consumers…
