Convenience-store giant 7-Eleven plans to close numerous Canadian locations in its 2026 fiscal year as part of a broader North American reduction plan.

Seven & i Holdings, the chain’s Tokyo-based parent company plans to close a total of 645 locations in North America, according to multiple reports citing financial filings made by the Japanese firm. The exact number of Canadian-store closures has not been specified, a spokeswoman for 7-Eleven told Connect.

The reports indicate that Seven & i Holdings’ move is tied to the retailer’s desire for 7-Eleven to sell more fresh food rather than packaged products amid expected ongoing declines in cigarette sales, once a staple of the business. But Seven & i has not explained the exact reasons for the closures or locations set to close their doors.

The closures will significantly outpace the 205 new stores slated to open in the 2026 fiscal year, The Associated Press reported, citing earnings filings.

Parent company Seven & i Holdings has noted that the closures will include some sites being converted into wholesale fuel outlets. The company has steadily expanded this segment in recent years, with more than 900 wholesale fuel locations operating in North America as of December 2025.

Globally, 7-Eleven operates more than 86,000 stores across 19 countries. Its North American arm, 7-Eleven Inc., oversees more than 13,000 locations in the United States and Canada.

The closures come as the retailer continues to trim underperforming outlets amid ongoing economic pressures. Higher prices have weighed on consumers, with inflation dampening spending—particularly among lower-income households. Energy markets have also been volatile, contributing to rising fuel costs for drivers.

Despite the North American pullback, Seven & i expects international expansion to offset some of the closures. Its Japanese subsidiary plans to close 350 stores while opening 550 new locations.

The North American closures are coming after Montreal-based Alimentation Couche-Tard withdrew its US$46-billion offer to acquire Seven & i in 2025, citing a lack of sincere engagement in negotiations. Seven & i agreed to negotiate after the company spent several months attempting to block the takeover attempt, which Couche-Tard repeated described as friendly.

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