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Seven & i to List North American Unit in 2026 IPO to Fund U.S. Expansion

Proceeds from the listing will underpin faster U.S. store rollouts as the retailer takes on additional debt.

Incoming Chief Executive Officer of Seven & i Holdings Co., Stephen Dacus speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan March 6, 2025. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
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Overview

  • At a Tokyo briefing, CEO Stephen Dacus confirmed plans to take the North American unit public in the second half of 2026.
  • The IPO is designed to expand the company’s debt capacity to accelerate U.S. store rollouts and finance bolt-on acquisitions.
  • The move follows the withdrawal of Alimentation Couche-Tard’s $46 billion takeover bid, which had weighed on the stock with a 9% drop.
  • In March, Seven & i sold its superstore unit and launched a ¥2 trillion share buyback through 2030 to streamline its portfolio.
  • The firm faces stiff competition in Japan from Family Mart and Lawson and has drawn scrutiny over thin profit margins in its U.S. convenience network.