Couche-Tard Abandons $46 Billion Bid to Buy 7-Eleven Owner

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just some minor business hiccup—it’s a huge deal that fell apart in a high-stakes global retail showdown. Couche-Tard wanted to create a convenience store empire, but Seven & i’s reluctance suggests they’re either holding out for something better or just not interested in selling. Either way, it’s a big miss for Couche-Tard’s expansion plans and a sign that even massive deals can collapse when one side won’t engage. For shoppers, it means no immediate changes to your late-night 7-Eleven runs—but behind the scenes, the retail world just got a little more dramatic.