The convenience store has become a staple in urban life for many Filipinos. Many of us have been
to a convenience store at least once. More likely, many of us have been to a 7-Eleven here in the
Philippines at least once this week.
While 7-Eleven stores might seem ubiquitous all over the country now, it
wasn’t until 2012 when it opened its first store in Cebu, signaling its expansion
outside of Luzon. Today, there are 432 7-Eleven stores in the Visayas and 285
in Mindanao. The rest are in Luzon.
Despite the aggravating political and economic adversities, PSC gamely opened its first 7-Eleven
convenience store, located at the corner of EDSA and Kamias Streets in Kamuning, Quezon City,
on February 29, 1984. This store proved to be a tough one as it weathered all types of calamities,
the EDSA revolution, and coup’d’etats. The second 7-Eleven convenience store was opened
at President Ave., BF Homes, Parañaque, which was adjacent to the entrance of a posh subdivision,
in April 1984. Having been able to open two stores within the same year, PSC was able to make
necessary comparisons in the operations of its stores. It has learned that the primary customers of
7-Eleven stores came from the middle class: the salaried, busy employee who preferred a quick fix,
while on his/her way home or to the office.