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The New York Times — Business — Retailing in Japan — Deaths (Obituaries) — Shopping and Retail — Convenience Stores

Masatoshi Ito, 98, the King of Convenience Stores in Japan, Dies

Masatoshi Ito, who helped bring 7-Eleven to Japan and revolutionize retailing, dies at 98. Under him, 7-Eleven became a Japanese company with over 21k stores.

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  • Masatoshi Ito, founder of Seven & I Holdings, has died at 98.
  • Ito helped bring 7-Eleven to Japan and revolutionize Japanese retailing.
  • 7-Eleven and its imitators would later open tens of thousands of convenience stores across Japan.
  • Under Ito, 7-Eleven Japan outgrew its progenitor, Southland, and the company became Japanese in 1991.
  • Today there are over 80,000 7-Elevens worldwide, with more than 21,000 in Japan.
Masatoshi Ito, 98, the King of Convenience Stores in Japan, Dies
He introduced the American chain 7-Eleven to the country, covering the landscape with thousands of outlets and starting a retail revolution there.
The New York TimesBy Ben Dooley

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