Mauricio Leyva is betting that this playbook can reignite the brand's growth momentum in the United States.

Seven & i Holdings released its second-quarter earnings report, showing strong profitability in its overseas convenience store business, with North American operations benefiting from rising gasoline prices.

The new head of the North American business at this well-known convenience store chain has put forward a plan: replicate the operating tactics proven effective in the Japanese market to transform the brand's image in North America.

Mauricio Leyva believes that borrowing from the 7-Eleven Japan model can reactivate the brand's growth in the United States. "I would say we are openly 'borrowing' this playbook," he said in an interview on Friday. Leyva assumed the role of CEO of the convenience store giant's North American subsidiary in August this year. He believes that products and operating philosophies that are popular in Japan can equally appeal to consumers in the United States and Canada. "What I personally feel is most worth learning from the Japanese market is the emphasis on detail and the pursuit of quality — this is exactly what we need to strengthen and do better in North America."

7-Eleven's Japanese parent company, Seven & i Holdings, has entrusted this retail industry veteran to push forward a bold reform: modernizing stores, expanding private-label brands across North America, and scaling up the delivery platform 7NOW. Leyva has decades of experience in the consumer industry, having previously served as president of KDP Group under Kraft Heinz. He stated that his focus is on understanding consumers better than competitors and creating consumer experiences that keep customers consistently choosing 7-Eleven for their everyday purchases. He cited successful examples from Japan: creating iconic store-brand food items that become hits, such as the egg salad sandwich at 7-Eleven Japan; while also enriching the food category and designing packaging that is easier to open. Despite headwinds such as inflation eroding disposable income, he remains confident in the group's "North Star" transformation strategy.

Seven & i Holdings released its second-quarter earnings report on Thursday, with the overseas convenience store segment showing strong profitability, as rising gasoline prices boosted North American business performance. Even so, Leyva expects that as the cost of living climbs, American consumer behavior will shift. "The frequency of in-store transactions has not declined, but the average ticket size and total basket value are decreasing," he said. "Value and quality remain important, and consumers are placing even greater emphasis on both."

In the Friday interview, Seven & i Holdings also updated its plans for the spin-off and listing of 7-Eleven, a move aimed at unlocking shareholder value and streamlining the group's business structure. The group first announced its IPO plan in March last year, but it has been repeatedly delayed due to unfavorable market conditions, and is now expected to be completed as early as the fiscal year 2027. Seven & i Holdings CEO Stephen Dacus said: "Our goal is not simply to complete an IPO, but to enhance shareholder value." Dacus noted that the AI boom is diverting market capital, and the listing environment for retail companies remains challenging. "A large amount of market capital is being absorbed by the AI sector, with capital all flowing there," he added, noting that before entering the capital markets, management must implement its transformation plan and achieve sustained performance improvement to win sufficient investor confidence.

The spin-off listing also serves as a defensive measure against hostile takeovers. Previously, Canadian retail giant Alimentation Couche-Tard, the parent company of Circle K, launched a long-term takeover bid worth $47 billion. The Canadian retail group ultimately withdrew its acquisition proposal due to valuation disagreements and U.S. antitrust concerns. As a result, Seven & i Holdings shifted its focus to business restructuring and advanced a plan to separately list its North American business. The listing is expected to help Seven & i Holdings obtain a higher valuation and narrow the stock price gap — it is precisely the low share price that has made it vulnerable to overseas acquisition targets. The group is also facing pressure from activist investors demanding that the company focus on its core convenience store business. The group has already taken measures to dispose of non-core assets such as large supermarkets to rebuild market confidence. Dacus said on Friday that the group plans to strengthen its in-house production capabilities and take a more proactive approach to managing its supply chain. "To some extent, we have outsourced too much in the past, relying excessively on external suppliers to make decisions for us."