SoftBank, PayPay Consider Investing in Seven & i Holdings

SoftBank Corp. and PayPay Corp. are considering acquiring a stake worth several hundred billion yen in Japanese convenience store operator Seven & i Holdings Co., according to sources familiar with the matter. Kyodo News reported the development.

SoftBank and PayPay are reportedly considering a strategic investment in 7-Eleven. (Photo: Mike Mozart Flickr)

The potential investment comes nearly a year after Canadian convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. withdrew its takeover bid for Seven & i, the operator of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain.

According to the sources, SoftBank and PayPay—both subsidiaries of SoftBank Group Corp.—aim to expand their customer ecosystems through closer ties with the retailer.

Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., the credit card subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, is also reportedly considering participating in the investment.

The three companies already collaborate in digital financial services.

As of the end of June 2026, Japan had approximately 22,000 Seven-Eleven stores, underscoring the retailer's dominant position in the country's convenience store market.