7-Eleven is closing 444 underperforming stores across North America. The closures are attributed to a variety of challenges, including slowing sales, inflation, decreased traffic, and a decline in cigarette purchases.

Seven & I Holdings, the parent company, stated that persistent inflation and high interest rates have led to reduced spending by middle- and low-income consumers.

Despite this, 7-Eleven plans to focus on expanding in locations with high customer demand, and food sales have now overtaken cigarettes as the store’s leading sales category.

The closures represent about 3% of its over 13,000 North American locations.