7-Eleven exits Indian market following local competition

7&I Holdings has confirmed that all 7-Eleven convenience stores in India have closed. The company stated that its master franchisee, Reliance Retail, shut down all 31 stores operating in Mumbai and Pune as of September 30.

After signing a franchise agreement, 7-Eleven opened its first Indian store in Mumbai in October 2021, with the number of locations peaking at approximately 60. While 7&I Holdings did not officially state the reasons for the exit, Japanese media outlets, including Nikkei and Yomiuri Shimbun, reported that the brand struggled to compete with intense local retail competition.

Despite the closure, 7&I Holdings indicated it has not abandoned the Indian market and is exploring various options for long-term entry. Meanwhile, competitor Lawson plans to open its first store in India next year, with a goal of expanding to roughly 100 locations by 2030.