Seven & i Holdings Appoints New CEO Amid Strategic Overhaul

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Seven & i Holdings, the parent company of 7-Eleven, has announced a major leadership transition as part of its ongoing strategic transformation.

Ryuichi Isaka will step down as CEO on May 27, 2025, making way for Stephen Dacus, the company’s current lead independent outside director.

This marks a historic shift for the Japanese retail giant, as Dacus will be the first foreign-born executive to take the helm.

Leadership Transition and Strategic Shifts

Stephen Dacus: The New CEO

Bringing decades of retail expertise, Stephen Dacus, 64, is set to lead Seven & i through its next phase of growth. His extensive background includes serving as CEO of Seiyu Holdings and senior vice president at Fast Retailing Co., the parent company of Uniqlo.

As a key figure in the company’s leadership, he has played an active role in assessing strategic opportunities, including the recent $47 billion takeover bid by Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Ryuichi Isaka’s Future Role

Following his departure as CEO, Ryuichi Isaka will remain with Seven & i as a senior adviser, ensuring continuity during this transition.

Key Strategic Moves

Seven & i has unveiled several major initiatives alongside its leadership change:

• Massive Share Buyback – A ¥2 trillion ($13.2 billion) share repurchase program aimed at boosting shareholder value.
• 7-Eleven Inc. Listing – Plans to publicly list its North American subsidiary, 7-Eleven Inc., in the second half of 2026 while retaining a majority stake.
• Superstore Business Sale – The sale of its superstore division to Bain Capital for ¥814.7 billion ($5.37 billion), with the deal expected to close by September 2025.

Investor Response and Future Challenges

News of the leadership shakeup and strategic shifts fueled a strong market response, with Seven & i shares jumping 6.11%. However, challenges remain as the company seeks to fend off Couche-Tard’s takeover bid and sharpen its focus on its core convenience store business.

With Dacus at the helm, Seven & i is expected to push forward with international expansion and operational streamlining. The company is set to hold a press conference later today to outline further details on its strategic direction.

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