Shopping Centers Today is the news magazine of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
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r e T a i l i n g T o d a y around the clock convenience chain 7-eleven expands into dense urban areas By Kenneth Robeson T he world's largest convenience- store chain is returning to some major cities. having retreated from those cities years and even decades ago, 7-eleven is coming back to new York city in a particularly big way. the company pulled its handful AP P hoto/CAro lyn KAs ter of stores out of new York city in the early 1980s. "we were not able 92 SCT / M a y 2 0 1 3 to compete with other retailers' freshfood programs," said Margaret chabris, a spokeswoman. "now we have the infrastructure: a sophisticated retail information and ordering system and daily delivery of fresh and time-sensitive foods using expert third parties that provide us with fresh foods, bakery products and daily distribution." the chain, which operates about 48,000 stores across 16 countries, some 9,500 of them in north america, has re-established about 100 stores in new York city's five boroughs, roughly a third of them in Manhattan. its plans are to roll out about 100 more between now and 2016. "our strategy is that we are building market concentration where we already have existing profitable stores," said chabris. "at the same time, we are acquiring stores through our acquisition program, which is different from our regular, everyday development program." some say 7-eleven will fit in well in the place for which the phrase "new York minute" was coined. "i think their chances are extremely positive," said adelaide Polsinelli, senior director of new York city–based eastern consolidated. "they are quick, they are accessible, they have the staples that commuters need." Many associate 7-eleven more readily with the highway environment of the suburbs than with the subway culture of the Big apple, but Polsinelli has a different take. "what better place to be when someone gets out of the subway? they see 7-eleven, a name they know," she said. "they know what to expect: they