The 7-Eleven is also popular here in our country, Philippines, and it has a large number of chains found everywhere. Here’s a brief history about how 7-Eleven, the world’s largest operator and licensor of convenient stores, started and grew here in the Philippines.
Philippine Seven Corporation (“PSC”) was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 1982. It acquired from Southland Corporation (now Seven Eleven, Inc.) of Dallas, Texas the license to operate 7-Eleven stores in the Philippines in December 13, 1982. Operations commenced with the opening of its first store in February 29, 1984 at the corner of Kamias Road and EDSA Quezon City, Metro Manila. Considering the country’s economic condition at that time, the Company grew slowly in its first few years of existence.
In July 1988, PSC transferred the Philippine area license to operate 7-Eleven stores to its affiliate, Phil-Seven Properties Corporation (“PSPC”), together with some of its store properties. In exchange thereof, PSC received 47% of PSPC stock as payment. Concurrent with the transfer, PSC entered into a sublicensing agreement with PSPC to operate 7-Eleven stores in Metro Manila and suburbs. As part of PSPC’s main business, it acquired or leased commercial properties and constructed retail store buildings, leasing the buildings to PSC on long term basis together with most of the capital equipment used for store operations. In effect, PSC concentrated on managing its stores and effectively took the role of a pure retailer.
In May 1996, the stockholders of both PSC and PSPC approved the merger of the two companies to advance PSC group’s expansion. In October 30, 1996, SEC approved the merger and PSPC was then absorbed by PSC as the surviving entity. With the consolidation of the respective lines of business of PSC and PSPC, PSC’s retailing strengths were complemented by PSPC’s property and franchise holdings. Their management as a single entity enhanced operational efficiency and strengthened ability to raise capital for growth. PSC listed it shares (SEVN) in the Philippine Stock Exchange and had its initial public offering in February 04, 1998. The shares were offered at the price of P4.40 per share from its par value of P1.00 per share. In September 17, 1998, PSC established Convenience Distribution Inc. (“CDI’), a wholly owned subsidiary, to provide a centralized warehouse and distribution system to service its 7-Eleven stores.
With the effectivity of the Retail Trade Liberalization Act (R.A. 8762) on March 25, 2000, foreign entities were allowed to invest in an existing retail company subject to the requirements of the law. President Chain Store Corporation of Taiwan (PCSC), which is also the 7-Eleven licensee in Taiwan operating about 2,700 stores, purchased 119,575,008 common shares of PSC or 50.4% of PSC’s outstanding capital stock at the price of P8.30 per share. The purchase was made under a tender offer during October 9 to November 7, 2000 by President Chain Store (Labuan) Holdings, Ltd., a Malaysian investment holding company, wholly-owned by PCSC. The acquisition is meant to forge a strategic alliance which aims to provide PSC with technical support from PCSC in strengthening its organizational structure and operating systems. This shall enable PSC to pursue store expansion plans on sound and profitable basis. A new affiliate, Store Sites Holdings Inc., was also established on November 9, 2000, as the entity to own land properties of the Company. These land properties are leased to PSC by SSHI. The Corporation’s area license to operate 7-Eleven Stores in the Philippines was renewed in August 2007 for another term of 20 years, renewable every 10 years. The Renewal Area License Agreement has been approved by and registered with the Intellectual Property Office as of September 25, 2007.
The Corporation initiated the establishment of PhilSeven Foundation Inc. (PFI) in October 2007 to support its corporate social responsibility programs. PFI was granted certificate of registration by DSWD last August 6, 2010.
The company had a manpower complement of 1,921 personnel, 655 of whom are regular employees, 301 contractual/probationary and 965 cooperative members to augment temporary needs during peak hours or season in the stores and the support services units. There is no existing labor union in the company and collective bargaining agreement. There is an Employees Council which communicates to management the employee concerns. There has been no strike or threat to strike from the employees for the past three years.
At year end, PSC is operating 551 stores, 211 of which are franchise stores, 130 stores are operated under a service agreement, and the remaining 210 are company-owned stores. The store franchise and service agreements have a minimum term of 5 years each, renewable for a similar term. The stores under franchise and service agreement are indicated in the store list provided in the discussion of Leases herein.
Currently, PSC considers three major competitors in maintaining its leadership in the Convenience Store (“C-Store”) Industry. There are a number of other small players including gas marts, but their store count and sales volume as a group by itself is not significant to be considered. PSC concluded in August 2009 a non-exclusive tie-up with Chevron Philippines Inc. and opened 25 7-Eleven Stores in certain identified Caltex gasoline stations. The Company continues to sustain its leadership by putting stores in strategic locations, carrying product assortment fit for such market.
Source of information: http://www.7-eleven.com.ph/index.php
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