Seven & i Eyes Żabka Stake in Major European Expansion Push

Japan’s Seven & i Holdings is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations to acquire a significant stake in Poland’s Żabka Group, a move that would strengthen the 7-Eleven operator’s presence in Europe and accelerate its global expansion strategy.

According to a Nikkei report, Seven & i plans to purchase a stake of several tens of percent in Żabka from investment funds and other existing shareholders. The deal is expected to be worth several hundred billion yen, making it one of the company’s largest recent international investments in the convenience store sector.

Investors reacted positively to the news, sending Seven & i shares more than 5% higher on Friday. The stock outperformed Japan’s broader Nikkei 225 index, which fell about 4% during the session.

The proposed investment would provide Seven & i with a major foothold in Eastern Europe. While the company currently operates roughly 360 stores in Nordic countries, Żabka runs approximately 10,000 franchised convenience stores across Poland, making it the country’s leading convenience store chain. The Polish retailer generated revenue of 27.15 billion zloty (around $7.2 billion) in 2025, according to the Nikkei.

The acquisition aligns with Seven & i’s long-term strategy of expanding its worldwide convenience store network from approximately 87,000 locations to 100,000 stores by 2030. Adding Żabka’s extensive franchise network would significantly boost the Japanese retailer’s European operations and strengthen its position in a highly competitive global convenience retail market.

If completed, the transaction would also mark Seven & i’s first major overseas investment in a convenience store operator in five years, excluding its acquisition of Australia’s Convenience Group Holdings. The deal highlights the company’s continued focus on international growth through strategic investments in established regional retailers with strong market positions.

The potential partnership underscores Seven & i’s ambition to diversify beyond its existing markets while capitalizing on the growing demand for convenience retail across Europe.