Is There 7-Eleven in the UK? (Local Guide)

Americans will often mention 7-Eleven as being a big part of their childhood.

There was always something to get at 7-Eleven, but is it the same in the UK? Is it possible to go to a 7-Eleven in the UK?

When we were spending time in Blackheath in London, we would often get cravings to try out a slurpee from 7-Eleven.

This is why it’s important to figure out whether or not there is a 7-Eleven in London or the UK in general.

Here is more on the topic for those who are interested.

7-Eleven In The UK

Sadly, there is no 7/11 in the UK.

This is a sad reality we had to face when we were searching for a 7-Eleven in London. When we were spending time in London, we would often look for specific American brands but this was one we were unable to locate.

We assume one of the reasons for it not being set up here in the UK has to do with demand. It’s important to remember that most people in the UK are not going to be familiar with the idea of 7-Eleven and the role it plays in America.

They have other brands that are important to them.

From what we have heard, there was a time when a 7-Eleven in the UK was a possibility. There was a trial done when the goal was to see how it would do in the UK.

Of course, those of us who have lived in America will know it is common to find a 7/11 all over the nation. It doesn’t matter where you are going, you are going to find something like this.

Even when we took the time to go out to Canada, it was common to find 7/11 locations throughout the country. As a result, it was odd for us to not find it it the UK.

In general, there used to be multiple locations in the UK at one point. However, they realized it was not doing as well as it would do in America or other nations. This took place during the 90s.

Where Do We Go For Convenience Shopping In The UK?

Okay, now that we realized 7-Eleven was not an option, it was time to start searching for other options that were somewhat similar to this type of store.

Did we find anything?

Of course, London is home to a wide array of options that fit the bill even if they go by a different name. We believe it is these stores that are the reason for 7/11 not doing as well in the UK.

The stores that we found were Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

Sainsbury’s was great because you could go for gas and you could get food at the same time. It was easy to go shopping here but it was still not the same as 7/11 in our hearts. We did like their options and there was ample quality.

We also came across a variety of gas station brands that were set up throughout the UK.

They tended to have convenience items, which worked well for us. It is important to always adjust based on where you are and the same applies to those who are going to be spending time in the UK.

While you are not going to find a 7/11 in London, you are going to find these options that will do a good job too. Plus, it will open your eyes to local brands and that is always fun.

The Future Of 7/11 In The UK

Since there was a time when 7/11 was readily available throughout the UK, it is important to consider whether or not they are going to make a comeback.

Based on what we have found out, it is unlikely the brand is going to come back.

If it does, they are only going to set it up in specific locations including where there are heavy expat communities such as London.

Otherwise, they are not going to branch out as much as they did the first time around. 7/11 is not the same type of brand worldwide as it is in America.

They didn’t make enough money the first time around, so they are not going to be putting too much funding into this. Instead, they will likely be growing in other parts of the world including in the US and Canada to name a few.

Final Thoughts

Is there a 7-Eleven in the UK?

No, there is no 7-Eleven in the UK as of right now. There used to be 50 locations spread throughout the UK in the 90s, but that has changed as they were sold off before the turn of the century.

For now, they are not looking to come back.

We recommend checking out Shell, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco.