Seven & i in Talks for Major Stake in Poland's Zabka, Nikkei Reports

Japanese retail conglomerate Seven & i Holdings is in final-stage negotiations to acquire a significant stake in Poland’s largest convenience store operator, Zabka Group. The deal, valued at several hundred billion yen, would mark a major strategic expansion into the European market for the parent company of 7-Eleven, according to a report from Nikkei.

The Proposed Investment

The Nikkei report, published Thursday, indicates that Seven & i plans to purchase a stake of "several tens of percent" from Zabka's current shareholders, which include investment funds. If completed, the transaction would represent the company's first major overseas investment in a convenience store operator in five years, excluding its acquisition of Australia’s Convenience Group Holdings.

This move aligns with Seven & i's ambitious global growth targets. The company aims to increase its total number of stores worldwide from approximately 87,000 to 100,000 by 2030.

Zabka Group operates a vast network of around 10,000 franchised convenience stores across Poland. The company reported revenue of 27.15 billion zloty (approximately $7.2 billion) for its 2025 fiscal year, according to figures cited by Nikkei.

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Market Reaction and Strategic Context

Investors reacted positively to the news of the potential European expansion. Shares of Seven & i Holdings (TYO:3382) surged over 5% in Friday trading, significantly outperforming the broader Nikkei 225 index, which fell 4% during the same session.

A successful investment in Zabka would dramatically increase Seven & i's European footprint. The Japanese giant's presence on the continent is currently limited to about 360 stores located in Nordic countries, making the potential entry into Poland a substantial strategic step.