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The Story of Convenience Shopping
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7-Eleven pioneered the convenience store concept way back in 1927 at the Southland Ice Company in
Dallas, Texas. In addition to selling blocks of ice to refrigerate food, an enterprising ice dock
employee began offering milk, bread and eggs on Sundays and evenings when grocery stores were closed.
This new business idea produced satisfied customers and increased sales, and convenience retailing was
born!
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The company's first convenience outlets were known as Tote'm stores since customers "toted"
away their purchases, and some even sported genuine Alaskan totem poles in front. In 1946, Tote'm
became 7-Eleven to reflect the stores' new, extended hours - 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., seven
days a week. The company's corporate name was changed from The Southland Corporation to
7-Eleven, Inc. in 1999.
Today, 7-Eleven is the undisputed leader in convenience retailing with more than 30,000
stores operating in the U.S. and 18 other countries and total sales of more than $43 billion in 2005.
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Business Operations
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More than 7,100 7-Eleven and other convenience stores are operated and franchised by 7-Eleven, Inc.
in North America, and they serve approximately six million customers each day.
Each store focuses on meeting the needs of busy shoppers by providing a broad selection of fresh,
high-quality products and services at everyday fair prices, along with speedy transactions and a clean,
safe, friendly shopping environment.
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Proprietary Products
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7-Eleven is known internationally for Big Gulp® fountain soft drinks, Big Bite® hot dogs, Slurpee®
beverages, and Café Select® fresh brewed coffee. The stores have expanded their food service offerings
with a proprietary line of deli items and baked goods, which are prepared and delivered fresh daily.
7-Eleven also offers convenient services based on each neighborhood's individual needs, including
automated money orders, copiers, fax and automatic teller machines, long-distance phone cards and
lottery tickets, where available.
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Global Convenience
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Approximately 7,100 of the company’s stores in North America are operated by franchisees or licensees.
7-Eleven, Inc., its licensees and affiliates operate more than 30,000
7-Eleven and other convenience stores in Japan, Australia, Mexico, Taiwan,
Singapore, Canada, the Philippines, Sweden, Denmark, South Korea, Thailand, Norway, Turkey,
Malaysia, China and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.
In November 2005, 7-Eleven, Inc. became an indirect subsidiary of Seven & I Holdings Company, a Japan-based organization.
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| Company Milestones |
Since its inception, 7-Eleven has accomplished a number of milestones.
Here is an overview.
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