7-Eleven Company’s History: How It Became a Global Giant?
Mirror Review
Helping C-Suite Leaders Boost Their Brand, Visibility & Influence | Executive Branding & LinkedIn Growth
“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” 7-Eleven company’s history from a small neighborhood store to a global retail giant extraordinarily proves this quote. Interestingly, what started as a humble ice house in 1927 has today grown into the world’s largest convenience store chain, ‘the great 7-Eleven!’ That’s impressive! Isn’t it?
Known for its iconic Slurpees, 24/7 service, and customer convenience at every corner, 7-Eleven’s journey is packed with innovation, ambition, and a persistent chase for success. However, in this blog, you will learn everything interesting about the 7-Eleven company’s history behind its incredible success today. So, are you excited? Let’s quickly get started!
Firstly, let’s know the early beginnings of the 7-Eleven company
7-Eleven started in 1927 in Dallas, Texas. It was originally an ice house storefront, selling ice blocks to help people keep their food cold. This was before refrigerators were common in homes. The store quickly became popular for its convenience.
However, the first name of the store was ‘Tote’m Stores.’ The name came from the idea that customers could ‘tote’ or carry their goods away. The stores even had totem poles outside as a fun decoration. This name reflected the store’s focus on convenience.
But, why is 7-Eleven called 7-Eleven?
Let’s go back to the origin of the name. We all know that the name ‘7-Eleven’ was chosen in 1946 to highlight the store’s extended hours. However, at that time, most stores closed early, but 7-Eleven stayed open from ‘7 a.m. to 11 p.m.,’ seven days a week. This was very convenient for customers who needed to shop outside regular hours.
Looking at customer convenience, the extended hours were a big deal because people could shop before or after work. This made 7-Eleven stand out from other stores. It showed that the company cared about making life easier for its customers. Therefore, this added to the 7-Eleven company’s history as a mark of accepting change with dignity.
Additionally, in the 1960s, 7-Eleven started staying open 24 hours a day. This was a revolutionary change in the retail industry. It meant that people could shop, at any time, day or night, which was very convenient.
Furthermore, today, most 7-Eleven stores are open 24/72. This continuous availability has become a standard for convenience stores . Moreover, it ensures that customers can always find what they need, no matter the time.
Now, let’s talk about an innovative product of the company
In 1966, 7-Eleven introduced the ‘Slurpee,’ a frozen drink. It quickly became a popular and iconic product. The Slurpee is known for its unique flavors and refreshing taste. It shows the company’s ability to create popular new products adding to the 7-Eleven company’s history.
In 7-Eleven company’s history, let’s have a glance at it becoming a convenience leader
In the 1960s, 7-Eleven started staying open 24 hours a day. This was a big change and made it even more convenient for customers. People could now shop at any time, day or night. Hence, this move set a new standard for convenience stores.
Looking at the 7-Eleven company’s history, the Big Gulp was introduced in 1976. It is a large-sized soft drink that became very popular. However, people loved the idea of getting a lot of drinks for a low price. However, the Big Gulp is another example of 7-Eleven’s innovative products.