7-Eleven Makes History in Shanghai

This week 7-Eleven broke new ground: Four 7-Eleven stores operated by President Chain Store Corp., the licensee for 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan, opened their doors Thursday, April 30, for business in Shanghai, signifying the first-ever 7-Eleven presence in China's largest city.

A billboard covers the exterior of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Shanghai's Xujiahui area.

The new stores are located in the Xujiahui, Luwan, and Pudong districts of Shanghai, a city that boasts more than 4,000 convenience stores.

President Supply Chain president, Richard Huang, said the company's goal is to establish 300 7-Eleven stores in the area within five years, with the first 150 opened in the first three years.

A press conference and event to promote the store openings was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Shanghai and included an hour-long celebration. The event was attended by 7-Eleven's Managing Director for Asia-Pacific 2, Bill Ososki, and Masa Asakura, Executive Vice President/International and Advisor to the CEO, and the guest list included investors, supply partners, government officials and the news media.