7-Eleven has opened its seventh store in Australia this year, the latest convenience retail outlet opening its doors in Woy Woy, New South Wales.

The brand’s Tribe Lead for Channel, Braeden Lord said 7-Eleven is focused on taking the convenience chain further into regional Australia.

“Regional expansion, like our new Woy Woy store, is a key priority for our business and is possible because of enhanced supply chain capability and innovation, which enables us to have the right store formats and offers available for customers,” he said.

“We believe people in regional Australia should have the same access to convenience as those living in metropolitan areas.”

Expect to see a range of new formats and offers for customers from the convenience chain.

“In 2020 we piloted micro market format stores, launched our home delivery offer, and continued to experiment with new product ranges and digital services.

“The next 12 months will see us continue to adapt and trial a range of new innovations and formats in our network in partnership with our franchisees and suppliers.”

Braeden pointed to some of the distinctions of the 7-Eleven franchise model

“One of the things that makes our franchise offer different is that 7-Eleven corporate provides the funding for store refurbishments, new equipment and new technology.

“This approach gives us more scope to test and learn without our franchisees being at a disadvantage.

“We’re adjusting how we work to be able to innovate quicker, so we can nimbly respond to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our customers.”

Braeden Lord said the company’s investment in innovation gives franchisees new ways to meet the changing needs of customers and to grow their businesses.

And 7-Eleven’s investments in network growth have created about 60 new jobs so far this year.

 The Woy Woy store follows the opening of stores in Metford NSW, Derrimut VIC, Rockingham Central WA, Willliam Street Perth WA, Eight Mile Plains Northbound QLD, and Mt Warren Park QLD earlier in 2021.

 “We’ve announced plans to open stores before the end of 2021 in Busselton in Western Australia, Shepparton in Victoria, and on the Victorian New South Wales border in Albury Wodonga.

 “We’re also looking to invest in other regional communities so we can continue to grow our network in 2022.”