It was announced today that the world's LARGEST retailer (yes, even bigger than Walmart!) will be shutting down at least 444 stores across the United States, Mexico, and Canada! They're calling these locations "Underperforming". This global giant with over 84,000 stores across 19 countries will be closing doors, and your local spot could be on the chopping block!

Google Earth / Canva
Google Earth / Canva
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WHAT STORE IS CLOSING DOWN 400+ LOCATIONS?!

Your Slurpee runs might be getting fewer and farther between. That's right... 7-Eleven, the WORLD'S LARGEST RETAILER, will be closing over 440 spots shortly! With over 84,000 stores, they're only shutting down .5% of their stores, which is CRAZY they even have that many locations!

Google Earth
Google Earth
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WHAT LOCATIONS WILL BE SHUT DOWN?

So far, no official list of which stores are getting the axe has been released, but if you're in Utah, California, or Nevada, you might want to keep your fingers crossed. Why? Well, California has 1,902 7-Eleven locations, making up a whopping 20% of the U.S. stores. And Las Vegas? It’s rocking 166 stores. That’s a lot of Slurpee machines, my friends. Utah may not have quite as many locations, but you can bet with so many stores closing down, some will be right here in the Beehive State.

WHY ARE THEY CLOSING THESE STORES?

Why are they shutting down these stores, though? It’s not just about that $1 taquito anymore. 7-Eleven’s Japan-based parent company, Seven & I Holdings, pointed to a mix of issues: slowing sales, inflation (thanks, economy!), and a sharp decline in cigarette purchases. Apparently, the days of grabbing a pack of smokes with your Big Gulp are fading fast, with cigarette sales dropping 26% since 2019. Fun fact: cigarettes used to be the top-selling item for convenience stores! Now, even all those nicotine pouches can’t fill the gap.

Canva / Getty Images
Canva / Getty Images
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But hey, let’s not cry over spilled Big Gulps just yet. They’re calling it a “gentle pruning” (yes, that’s what they’re calling it) to keep the business efficient and profitable. So, while we wait for the list of doomed stores to drop, let’s all appreciate that our midnight snack runs are safe...for now.

Will Utah, California, and Nevada come out of this unscathed? Only time will tell. Stay tuned, and maybe stock up on those taquitos, just in case!

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