Seven & i Holdings explores issuing new shares to SoftBank and PayPay, potentially raising hundreds of billions of yen amid strategic shifts.
Seven & i Holdings is considering a share sale to SoftBank and payments operator PayPay, potentially raising several hundred billion yen. The move would mark a departure from its historical resistance to capital partnerships, aiming to bolster strategic flexibility and deter takeover attempts.
The retailer has traditionally avoided equity collaborations, unlike competitors FamilyMart and Lawson, which were absorbed by Itochu and Mitsubishi, respectively. Discussions also involve Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group’s credit card division, which may acquire an equity stake in the same arrangement.
Talks remain preliminary, with no guarantee of finalization this year. Seven & i previously rejected a takeover bid from Alimentation Couche-Tard, and this partnership could serve as a defensive measure.