Shares in Seven & i Holdings climbed 3% in Tokyo trading on Friday after the company confirmed it is in discussions to acquire a stake in Polish convenience store operator Zabka Group.
The 7-Eleven franchise owner disclosed the talks as part of its ongoing strategy to expand its international footprint beyond Asia.
While the size of the potential stake and the valuation of the deal remain undisclosed, the announcement triggered immediate buying interest among investors betting on further European consolidation.
Zabka Group, listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, is one of the largest convenience store chains in Central and Eastern Europe.
An investment by Seven & i would mark a significant entry for the Japanese retailer into the region, potentially leveraging its operational expertise and supply chain scale to boost Zabka’s growth trajectory.
The move comes as global convenience store operators seek new growth avenues amid slowing domestic markets in Japan and parts of Asia.