Seven & I has confirmed that it has not received financing from Junro Ito, vice president of 7&i and Ito-Kogyo Co., Ltd., preventing a definitive acquisition proposal from being submitted.

The company is actively considering options to enhance shareholder value and is reviewing various strategic alternatives, including a proposal from Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT).

A special committee is working with ACT to explore if a feasible proposal can be formulated amidst serious U.S. antitrust challenges.

Currently, there is no actionable proposal from Junro Ito or Ito-Kogyo for Seven & I to evaluate.

Reports indicate that Seven & I plans to abandon management buyout efforts after Itochu’s withdrawal.

Seven & I’s confirmation regarding the absence of financing from Junro adds a layer of certainty to the current situation. Without the necessary funds from him or the company he is associated with, a formal offer remains off the table for now. Meanwhile, discussions persist about various strategies to boost shareholder returns, with one proposal in particular standing out—the one presented by ACT.

The move to assess ACT’s idea comes with its own set of difficulties. A team has been assigned to determine whether the proposed plan can move forward despite regulatory issues in the U.S. While their collaboration suggests a willingness to find a path forward, the reality of the situation means that multiple roadblocks remain. Antitrust concerns can be lengthy and difficult to navigate, making the entire process uncertain. Still, the fact that the conversation continues implies that alternatives are still being weighed.

With nothing formally presented by Junro or Ito-Kogyo, Seven & I is left to focus on its remaining choices. The indication that efforts to pursue a management buyout are being set aside, following Itochu’s exit, suggests that internal solutions may no longer be viable. That development not only reshapes expectations but also shifts attention back to external proposals, such as the one from ACT.

For those tracking the developments closely, understanding the risks tied to potential regulatory delays is just as important as recognising the lack of competition in viable bids. Taken together, these factors shape the short-term outlook as Seven & I moves through this period of continued assessment and negotiation.