7-Eleven is expanding to Western Australia

Convenience store group 7-Eleven has announced it will be expanding into Western Australia in 2014, marking the first time the company has entered a new market in 32 years.

With Western Australia's convenience market valued at approximately $270 million, expansion into the state will provide an opportunity for new and existing 7-Eleven Franchisees to buy into the West Australian market.

Plans for up to 75 stores over 5 years

More than 10 stores are projected to open in Western Australia over the coming year, including standalone convenience stores and fuel stores, with plans for as many as 75 stores over the next five years.

"Economic and population growth in Western Australia and boosted demand for convenience stores in the state has helped make this expansion a reality," said Warren Wilmot, 7-Eleven Chief Executive Officer.

"Consumers have been asking us for some time when we were coming to Perth, because they are desperate for a great fuel and convenience offer," Mr Wilmot said. "I'm pleased to be able to tell our fans that we'll see them in WA soon," he said.

WA stores will have same offerings

The Company said core offerings in new stores will remain: fresh food products delivered daily, fresh ground fresh milk coffee for $1, Slurpee ranges, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and a range of eServices products such as easy self-service money transfer kiosks, electronic gift cards.

"We look forward to working with franchisees and the commercial retail development industry in Western Australia, to meet the ever changing needs of the convenience customer," Mr Wilmot said.

7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd is one of the largest private companies in Australia, with more than 600 stores across the Eastern Seaboard, claiming more than a third of market share in convenience in the region. The Company has a license to operate and franchise 7-Eleven stores in Australia from the US-based 7-Eleven Inc. The first Australian store was opened in Victoria in August 1977. Today 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd operates stores in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

Through its store network, 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd said it conducts more than 178 million transactions a year, serving an average of six customers per second, and generating sales of approximately $3.4 billion.

Worldwide, 7-Eleven operates more than 52,000 stores in 18 countries, and is opening approximately six stores per day somewhere in the world.