Global convenience store chain 7-Eleven will enter two new markets in the next twelve months, opting for Laos and Cambodia, with several stores planned for the latter Southeast Asia nation in the coming months.
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Launching in the nation’s capital Pnom Penh, the retailer is opening under Thailand’s retail operator CP All in the coming months. Exact site or date details have not been revealed. CP All told local media that the debut will be followed by six more store openings during 2021. 7-Eleven’s Cambodia entry looks to rival fellow international convenience store chains Circle K and MaxValu, as well as local retailers Smile Mini Marts and Lucky Express.
It has been a long road for 7-Eleven to enter Cambodia after winning distribution rights with the Asian nation back in May, 2020.
“The first Cambodian 7-Eleven-branded convenience store is expected to open in Phnom Penh in 2021,” said 7-Eleven Inc, in a press release accompanying its signing of a master franchise agreement on 7th May with CP All Cambodia.
“The master franchisee plans to construct stores, modernising the small-retail environment and bringing greater convenience to shoppers, backed by the world’s largest convenience retailing brand. Cambodia will be the 19th country where 7-Eleven stores operate or will operate soon,” continued 7-Eleven Inc.
In addition to Cambodia, 7-Eleven will also enter Laos in early 2022, opting to bow in the city of Vientiane, via CP All.
CP All was first set up in 1988 to operate 7-Eleven branches in Thailand under an exclusive licensing agreement with it.
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Today, 7-Eleven operates in some 20 countries across the globe. In Asia-Pacific, the chain operates in Japan Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia, and India.