When's the last time you shopped at a 7-Eleven in the US? If you're like me, you maybe ran in for bag of Combos (the official road trip snack) before embarking on a long drive to Indiana. Or you popped in to get an overpriced tooth brush while vacationing in Newport. Or maybe you needed to bribe your five-year-old with the promise of a Slurpee to get him dressed for the day. (Theoretically, on all accounts, of course.)
In North America, 7-Eleven is usually known for speed, convenience, Big Gulps and processed food. But in Japan, it inspires an almost cult-like loyalty.
In Japan, the shops are well lit; the floors are pristine. The welcoming aroma of freshly fried chicken and steamed pork buns wafts through the air. Customers pop in to snag on-the-go comfort foods such as savory onigiri and creamy egg salad on squishy white bread. Influencers document their shopping trips, and the sushi's top notch. Heck, when Kanye West was photographed earlier this year reuniting with his kids, it may come as no surprise that it was inside a Tokyo 7-Eleven.
Now, there's a battle brewing to own the brand -- and to see who can bring that magic to the US. Read more here:
https://lnkd.in/eBYj2SJP #retail #shopping #food #japan #US
