Seven & i Holdings Co. has closed its entire network of convenience stores in Israel, becoming the first major Japanese retailer to exit the country since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
The Tokyo-based operator of 7-Eleven stores shut down all eight locations in Israel by the end of July and evacuated its Japanese staff, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified discussing private information.
The retreat marks a sharp reversal for Seven & i, which launched its first Israeli store in Tel Aviv just last year through a US subsidiary. The company had ambitious plans to expand across the country, targeting kosher-food customers with localized offerings including its signature Slurpee frozen drinks.
The closure highlights the growing challenges for international businesses operating in Israel. About 92 Japanese companies maintained operations there as of October, with manufacturing firms accounting for 40% of the total, according to credit researcher Teikoku Databank.
Seven & i, which operates about 84,000 stores globally, still aims to reach 100,000 locations across 30 countries by 2030. The company recently opened its first store in Laos as part of its international expansion strategy.
