Seven & I Holdings Co.

Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd. (株式会社セブン&アイ・ホールディングス, Kabushiki-gaisha Sebun ando Ai Hōrudingusu, Seven-i (セブンアイ)) is a Japanese diversified retail group headquartered in Nibancho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. Founded originally in 1920 as Ito-Yokado, Seven & I is now the fifth largest retailer in the world, with 54,000 stores in approximately 100 countries.

History

Seven & I Holdings was established on September 1, 2005 as the parent company of the 7-Eleven Japan chain of convenience stores, the Ito-Yokado grocery and clothing stores, and the Denny's Japan family restaurants. In November 2005, it completed the purchase of US-based 7-Eleven Inc.

On December 26, 2005, the company announced its acquisition of Millennium Retailing holding company, parent of the Sogo and Seibu Department Stores chains. The acquisition makes Seven & I Holdings the largest distribution and retailing business in Japan.

On August 11, 2006, Seven & I purchased Lombard, Illinois-based White Hen.

In July 2007, the group announced the enlargement of their American chain 7-Eleven. They proposed an additional 1000 stores in a $2.4 billion plan that would see their US operation grow to over 7,000 stores. The target was set to achieve $10 billion in sales in the US by 2010.