Seven & i sells Ito-Yokado supermarket chain to U.S. fund

Seven & i sells Ito-Yokado supermarket chain to U.S. fund

Photo taken on Sept. 1, 2025, shows an Ito-Yokado supermarket chain outlet in Tokyo's Ota Ward. Seven & i Holdings Co. said the same day it has completed the sale of some 30 retailers, including the struggling Ito-Yokado supermarket chain, to U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital so it can focus on its 7-Eleven convenience store business.

Reserve rice hits store shelves

Reserve rice hits store shelves

A rice section at an Ito-Yokado supermarket in Tokyo is empty on May 31, 2025, as reserve rice released from government stockpiles through direct contracts with retailers is sold out about 30 minutes after hitting the shelves.

Reserve rice hits store shelves

Reserve rice hits store shelves

A rice section at an Ito-Yokado supermarket in Tokyo is empty on May 31, 2025, as reserve rice released from government stockpiles through direct contracts with retailers is sold out about 30 minutes after hitting the shelves.

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Bags of reserve rice released from government stockpiles through direct contracts with retailers hit the shelves at an Ito-Yokado supermarket in Tokyo on May 31, 2025.

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Bags of reserve rice released from government stockpiles through direct contracts with retailers hit the shelves at an Ito-Yokado supermarket in Tokyo on May 31, 2025.

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Bags of reserve rice released from government stockpiles through direct contracts with retailers hit the shelves at an Ito-Yokado supermarket in Tokyo on May 31, 2025.

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Bags of reserve rice released from government stockpiles through direct contracts with retailers hit the shelves at an Ito-Yokado supermarket in Tokyo on May 31, 2025.

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Bags of reserve rice released from government stockpiles through direct contracts with retailers hit the shelves at an Ito-Yokado supermarket in Tokyo on May 31, 2025.

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Reserve rice released from government stockpiles

Bags of reserve rice released from government stockpiles through direct contracts with retailers hit the shelves at an Ito-Yokado supermarket in Tokyo on May 31, 2025.

Aeon, Ito-Yokado exterior, logo, signage

Aeon, Ito-Yokado exterior, logo, signage

Aeon, Ito-Yokado exterior, logo, signage=Date:October 19, 2023, Place:Chiba

Japan PM Kishida visits supermarket in Tokyo

Japan PM Kishida visits supermarket in Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meets the press after visiting an Ito-Yokado supermarket store in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Oct. 16, 2023, ahead of the government finishing drawing up an economic stimulus package in October. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Kishida visits supermarket in Tokyo

Japan PM Kishida visits supermarket in Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (front) visits a perishable food section of an Ito-Yokado supermarket store in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Oct. 16, 2023, ahead of the government finishing drawing up an economic stimulus package in October. (Pool photo)

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Sliced sushi rolls featuring the face of a panda are sold at an Ito-Yokado supermarket store in Chengdu in Sichuan Province on Feb. 22, 2023, marking the arrival of Japanese-born giant panda Xiang Xiang in the Chinese province from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Panda-shaped steamed buns are sold at an Ito-Yokado supermarket store in Chengdu in Sichuan Province on Feb. 22, 2023, marking the arrival of Japanese-born giant panda Xiang Xiang in the Chinese province from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Welcoming mood for giant panda Xiang Xiang

Sliced sushi rolls featuring the face of a panda are sold at an Ito-Yokado supermarket store in Chengdu in Sichuan Province on Feb. 22, 2023, marking the arrival of Japanese-born giant panda Xiang Xiang in the Chinese province from Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

Ito-Yokado supermarket in Chengdu, China

Ito-Yokado supermarket in Chengdu, China

CHENGDU, China - Seven & I Holdings Co.'s Ito-Yokado supermarket in the center of Chengdu, China, is visited by many customers in this file photo taken on Nov. 28, 2014. In the competitive retail market in Chengdu, Japanese stores are increasing sales partly due to their customer-oriented services.

Japanese stores winning in Chinese market

Japanese stores winning in Chinese market

CHENGDU, China - Seven & I Holdings Co.'s Ito-Yokado supermarket (L) and Isetan Co.'s department store in the center of Chengdu, China, are shown in this file photo taken on Nov. 27, 2014. In the competitive retail market in Chengdu, the stores are increasing sales partly due to their customer-oriented services.

Seven

Seven

SUGITO, Japan - Ito-Yokado Co. President Atsushi Kamei demonstrates fueling in the town of Sugito, Saitama Prefecture, north of central Tokyo, on May 8, 2014, after the completion of a Seven

Bargain vegetable sales

Bargain vegetable sales

TOKYO, Japan - Discount vegetables are displayed at an outlet of Ito-Yokado Co. in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward on July 17, 2013, as the supermarket chain began a nationwide six-day bargain sale of vegetables amid rising prices stemming from tight supply due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Discount veggies

Discount veggies

TOKYO, Japan - Customers buy discount vegetables at an Ito-Yokado supermarket in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward on Jan. 9, 2013, as the supermarket chain began vegetable discounts at its shops across Japan amid rising vegetable prices due to the cold weather.

Chinese police patrol near Ito-Yokado in China's Chengdu

Chinese police patrol near Ito-Yokado in China's Chengdu

CHENGDU, China - Chinese police remain on alert near an outlet of Japanese retailer Ito-Yokado in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, on Oct. 18, 2010. Windows of the store were broken during an anti-Japan protest on Oct. 16.

China calls on public to express patriotism rationally

China calls on public to express patriotism rationally

CHENGDU, China - Police officers patrol in front of a store operated by Japanese retailer Ito-Yokado Co. in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on Oct 17, 2010, which was targeted by protesters the previous day during a rally against Japan over the disputed Senkaku Islands. The Chinese government called on the public to express patriotism rationally and in line with the law, a day after an estimated 10,000 people took part in sometimes violent protests.

China calls on public to express patriotism rationally

China calls on public to express patriotism rationally

CHENGDU, China - Police officers patrol in front of a store operated by Japanese retailer Ito-Yokado Co. in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on Oct 17, 2010, which was targeted by protesters the previous day during a rally against Japan over the disputed Senkaku Islands. The Chinese government called on the public to express patriotism rationally and in line with the law, a day after an estimated 10,000 people took part in sometimes violent protests.

Chinese protesters damage Japanese retail stores

Chinese protesters damage Japanese retail stores

CHENGDU, China - Security officers at a store operated by Japanese retailer Ito-Yokado Co. in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, sit by an entrance of the store on Oct. 16, 2010, after protesters caused damage earlier the same day during a rally against Japan over the disputed Senkaku Islands, called Diaoyu in China.

Protesters damage Ito-Yokado store in China

Protesters damage Ito-Yokado store in China

CHENGDU, China - A man looks at shattered window glass at a store operated by Japanese retailer Ito-Yokado Co. in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on Oct. 16, 2010, after protesters barged into the store and caused damage during a rally against Japan over the disputed Senkaku Islands, called Diaoyu in China, earlier the same day.

Protesters damage Ito-Yokado store in China

Protesters damage Ito-Yokado store in China

CHENGDU, China - People stand in front of a store operated by Japanese retailer Ito-Yokado Co. in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, after protesters barged in and caused damage on Oct. 16, 2010, during a rally against Japan over the disputed Senkaku Islands, called Diaoyu in China.

Soaring vegetable prices in Japan

Soaring vegetable prices in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - A shopper takes a look at vegetables, including those categorized as irregular, at an Ito Yokado store in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2010. The agriculture ministry held the first meeting on the day to discuss how best to stabilize soaring prices of vegetables after the unusually hot summer.

New Ito-Yokado head unveils plans to open food supermarkets

New Ito-Yokado head unveils plans to open food supermarkets

TOKYO, Japan - Atsushi Kamei, president of supermarket chain Ito-Yokado Co., speaks in an interview with Kyodo News on Sept. 14. He unveiled a policy of actively opening food-oriented supermarkets with the Ito-Yokado brand as the core of neighborhood shopping centers, starting in fiscal 2007.

Supermarkets trying to develop own brand goods

Supermarkets trying to develop own brand goods

TOKYO, Japan - A clothes sales floor at Ito-Yokado Co.'s Kiba Store in Tokyo's Koto Ward.

Ito-Yokado to close 30 outlets under restructuring plan

Ito-Yokado to close 30 outlets under restructuring plan

TOKYO, Japan - Toshifumi Suzuki, chairman of Japanese supermarket chain operator Ito-Yokado Co. is about to sit for a press conference in a Tokyo hotel on Aug. 31. The comapny said it will close about 30 unprofitable outlets by February 2009 as part of its group's restructuring plan.

IY Bank to change name to Seven Bank

IY Bank to change name to Seven Bank

TOKYO, Japan - Takashi Anzai, president of IY Bank, a branch-free bank belonging to the Ito-Yokado Co. retail group, tells reporters at the Bank of Japan's head office in Tokyo on June 3 that the bank will change its name to Seven Bank on Oct. 11.

Supermarkets struggling to attract, keep consumers

Supermarkets struggling to attract, keep consumers

TOKYO, Japan - There is a place where children can play on a sales floor of Deux+, a new high-quality clothing goods shop in a supermarket chain store of Ito-Yokado Co., in the Tokyo's Edogawa Ward.

Ito-Yokado opens new outlet despite anti-Japan protests

Ito-Yokado opens new outlet despite anti-Japan protests

BEIJING, China - A security guard stands in front of an Ito-Yokado Co. store in the western part of Beijing on April 14. This is the company's fifth outlet in the capital.

Ito-Yokado group firms hold initiation rite for 1,046 new hires

Ito-Yokado group firms hold initiation rite for 1,046 new hires

TOKYO, Japan - Some 1,000 new recruits of Ito-Yokado Co. group firms exercise at a hotel in Tokyo on March 17 prior to an initiation ceremony. Most companies in Japan will hold initiation ceremonies for new recruits on April 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Man stabs 11-month-old boy to death, injures sister

Man stabs 11-month-old boy to death, injures sister

NAGOYA, Japan - Flowers are offered at a site on the second floor of supermarket chain operator Ito-Yokado Co.'s outlet in the city of Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Feb. 4 after a man stabbed two children, killing one of them, 11-month-old Shoma Aoyama, and injuring the other, his 3-year-old sister.

Ito-Yokado holds initiation ceremony for new hires

Ito-Yokado holds initiation ceremony for new hires

TOKYO, Japan - A total of 776 new graduates took part in a recruit initiation ceremony for major supermarket chain operator Ito-Yokado Co. and its group companies at a hotel in Tokyo March 18.

Ito-Yokado sells vegetables at half off amid price spike

Ito-Yokado sells vegetables at half off amid price spike

TOKYO, Japan - Supermarket chain operator Ito-Yokado Co. sells radishes, onions and six other kinds of vegetable at about half off at one of its 175 outlets on Aug. 22. The two-day sale is aimed at stimulating demand amid rising vegetable prices caused by the unseasonably cool temperatures this summer.

Ito-Yokado's Isaka to become president

Ito-Yokado's Isaka to become president

TOKYO, Japan - Retailer Ito-Yokado Co. Senior Managing Director Sakae Isaka (L), who will become president after a shareholders meeting May 22, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on April 10 together with current president Toshifumi Suzuki who will become chairman.

Ito-Yokado's group profit falls on restructuring costs

Ito-Yokado's group profit falls on restructuring costs

TOKYO, Japan - Ito-Yokado Co. President Toshifumi Suzuki (R) tells a news conference in Tokyo on April 10 that the group's net profit fell 59.8% to 21.02 billion yen for the business year to Feb. 28. He cited restructuring costs and stock-related losses as reasons for the plunge.

Ito-Yokado hires more 'recruits' despite sluggish economy

Ito-Yokado hires more 'recruits' despite sluggish economy

TOKYO, Japan - Newly hired workers at major Japanese supermarket chain operator Ito-Yokado Co. group practice how to greet customers in sign language ahead of attending an initiation ceremony at a Tokyo hotel March 13. More ''recruits'' were hired by the group this year than a year ago despite the slowdown in consumption in Japan.

Ito-Yokado's new employees practice sign language

Ito-Yokado's new employees practice sign language

TOKYO, Japan - New employees at the Tokyo-based supermarket operator Ito-Yokado Co. practice sign language for use in serving customers who are hard of hearing at their entrance ceremony at a Tokyo hotel March 14.

IYBank opens for business, launches 24-hour ATM services

IYBank opens for business, launches 24-hour ATM services

TOKYO, Japan - IYBank President Takashi Anzai shows off bank cards at the bank's head office in central Tokyo on May 15. The branch-free bank, created by major retailer Ito-Yokado Co. and convenience-store subsidiary Seven-Eleven Japan Co., opened for business the same day, offering 24-hour automated teller machine services.

Ito-Yokado's IYBank to begin operations May 7

Ito-Yokado's IYBank to begin operations May 7

TOKYO, Japan - Takashi Anzai (L), president of IYBank, and Toshifumi Suzuki, president of Ito-Yokado Co., show off bank cards in front of automated teller machines (ATMs) at a hotel in Tokyo on May 1. Anzai said IYBank, the new bank created by major retailer Ito-Yokado Co. and its convenience store subsidiary Seven-Eleven Japan Co., will begin operations May 7. IYBank plans to have ATMs installed at 3,650 outlets of Ito-Yokado and Seven-Eleven Japan nationwide by the end of its first year of business.

IY Bank approved

IY Bank approved

TOKYO, Japan - Ito-Yokado Co. President Toshifumi Suzuki speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on April 6 the retailing group plans to launch its IY Bank in mid-May in the hope that the banking subsidiary will swing into the black within two years. The Financial Services Agency gave preliminary approval earlier in the day to an application by the group to establish the bank.

FSA gives preliminary approval to Ito-Yokado's IY Bank

FSA gives preliminary approval to Ito-Yokado's IY Bank

TOKYO, Japan - Financial Services Agency Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa (L) gives to Toshifumi Suzuki, president of the Ito-Yokado Co. retailing group, preliminary approval to establish a banking subsidiary at the agency in Tokyo on April 6. IY Bank will operate via a network of automatic teller machines at the group's retail outlets.

Supermarket Ito-Yokado files for OK to form banking arm

Supermarket Ito-Yokado files for OK to form banking arm

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows the head office in Tokyo's Minato Ward of major supermarket operator Ito-Yokado Co., which, along with its allies, on Nov. 6 filed with the government's Financial Reconstruction Commission for permission to form a banking subsidiary. If the application is approved, Ito-Yokado would become Japan's first nonfinancial company with a banking subsidiary.

Ito-Yokado logo

Ito-Yokado logo

Logo = Kiba Store, Koto-ku, Tokyo, November 26, 2018; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Ito-Yokado logo

Ito-Yokado logo

Logo = Kiba Store, Koto-ku, Tokyo, November 26, 2018; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Ito-Yokado logo

Ito-Yokado logo

Logo = Kiba Store, Koto-ku, Tokyo, November 26, 2018; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Ito-Yokado logo

Ito-Yokado logo

Logo = Kiba Store, Koto-ku, Tokyo, November 26, 2018; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images