SHUTTERED SHOPS
‘We’re doomed,’ cries customer as convenience store chain known for frozen drinks set to close over 270 locations
There are nearly 10,000 stores across the US
STORE closures are becoming more common than they used to be and popular shop 7-Eleven is no exception to the trend.
Over 270 of the convenience store's locations will be shutting its doors to the public this year adding to its mounting total.
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7-Eleven will close 272 locations across the US in 2024, according to a CBS News report.
The exact locations and dates of the closures remain undisclosed, however.
In 2023, CBS News revealed that 7-Eleven shut down 184 stores nationwide.
If the closures for 2024 proceed as planned, there will be 88 more store closures this year compared to last year, the outlet says.
More about store closures
There are still 9,402 7-Eleven locations across the country in 38 states and territories, and 2,365 cities, per Scrape Hero.
Meanwhile, despite some stores closing, 7-Eleven is also planning to open more than 270 new locations in 2024, MSN reports.
In the face of the closures, fans are not all that happy.
"7-Eleven closing 270+ stores?" one customer questioned on X/Twitter. "We're doomed."
Most read in Money
JULY 11 IS UPON US
For many Americans, July 11 has become a de facto holiday.
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7-Eleven has marked Free Slurpee Day by giving away complimentary Slurpees to customers on the 11th day of July.
Since it falls in the peak of summer, many people enthusiastically take advantage of this free treat.
The Slurpee, originally called ICEE, was created by Omar Knedlik.
When one of his soda fountains malfunctioned, Knedlik stored his sodas in the freezer to keep them cold.
The resulting soda slush delighted his customers, leading him to invent a machine that would freeze carbonated drinks.
Seeing the success of the ICEE, 7-Eleven made a licensing deal with Knedlik in 1965 to sell the product under a new name, available only in their stores, according to National Today.
In 1966, the Slurpee was officially introduced; the name was coined by an advertising executive inspired by the sound made when drinking it.
INSIDE 7-ELEVEN'S NAME
7-Eleven, a retailer dating back to 1927, operates over 60,000 convenience stores primarily in North America and Asia.
These stores are known for their small size, limited yet high-turnover inventory of food, drinks, and essential products, and extended operating hours.
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven has become synonymous with convenient access to everyday items.
In 1946, the stores were rebranded as 7-Eleven, highlighting their pioneering extended hours of operation from 7 am to 11 pm, seven days a week.
By the spring of 1967, every 7-Eleven in the country had a Slurpee machine, the website said.
7-Eleven introduced eye-catching names for new flavors: fun names like Pink Fink, Moonshine, Sticky Icky, Gully Washer, and Adults Only were added to the expanding list of flavors.
On July 11, 2002, 7-Eleven celebrated its 75th anniversary by giving customers a free Slurpee, marking the first official Free Slurpee Day.
As the name implies, you can visit a participating 7-Eleven between 11 am and 7 pm on July 11 and receive a free 12-ounce Slurpee.
Read More on The US Sun
Meanwhile, a Target shopper has urged the retail giant to hire more staff to address the lengthy queues clogging up stores.
And Trader Joe's fans have expressed their disgust over the return of a $5.99 ready-to-eat item.