Group 1 - The company reported a net sales growth of +2.4% like-for-like in Q2 2025 and +0.5% in H1 2025, marking a return to growth for the first time since financial restructuring [1][12][13] - The "Renouveau 2028" strategic plan is showing initial positive results, contributing to the growth across all convenience brands [2][10] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by +12.2% to €286 million in H1 2025, reflecting improved operational efficiency and cost control [3][14][17] Group 2 - Free cash flow improved by €366 million to -€48 million in H1 2025, driven by growth in adjusted EBITDA and better control of operating expenses [5][38] - The company’s net debt increased to €1.407 billion, with a net leverage ratio of 9.75x as of June 30, 2025 [6][40][47] - The company closed 832 outlets while opening 92 new stores, indicating a significant streamlining of its store network [8][24] Group 3 - Monoprix achieved a +2.9% like-for-like net sales growth in Q2 2025, supported by strong performance in fresh products and non-food sales [19][20] - Franprix's sales rose by +1.7% like-for-like in Q2 2025, with a notable increase in customer traffic due to favorable weather and new loyalty programs [21][23] - Naturalia reported a +7.8% like-for-like net sales growth in Q2 2025, driven by strong demand for organic products and successful new store concepts [26][27] Group 4 - Cdiscount's overall GMV increased by +5% in Q2 2025, with marketplace GMV growing by +11%, indicating a positive trend in e-commerce [30][31] - The company disposed of real estate assets worth €132 million in H1 2025, contributing to its financial restructuring efforts [65] - The company aims to return to break-even free cash flow before financial expenses by 2026 as part of its strategic plan [49]

Core Viewpoint - ARKO Corp. will host a conference call on August 6, 2025, to discuss its financial results for Q2 2025, which ended on June 30, 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Conference Call Details - The conference call is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time [2]. - A toll-free dial-in number is provided for participants: (877) 605-1792, with an international dial-in number of (201) 689-8728 [2]. - A telephonic replay will be available approximately three hours after the call concludes until September 5, 2025 [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - ARKO Corp. is a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest convenience store operators in the United States, owning 100% of GPM Investments, LLC [4]. - The company operates in four reportable segments: retail, wholesale, fleet fueling, and GPM Petroleum [4]. - The retail segment includes convenience stores selling merchandise and fuel products, while the wholesale segment supplies fuel to independent dealers [4].

LAVAL, QC, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ("Couche‑Tard") (TSX: ATD) announced today that the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has approved the share repurchase program (the "Program"), authorizing Couche‑Tard to repurchase up to 77,115,921 Common Shares (the "Shares"), representing 10% of the 771,159,210 Shares comprising Couche-Tard's "public float" (as such term is defined in the TSX Company Manual) as at July 14, 2025. Based on the current share price the completion of the Prog ...

Core Viewpoint - Alimentation Couche-Tard has withdrawn its $45.8 billion bid for Seven & i Holdings, the owner of 7-Eleven, due to a lack of constructive engagement from Seven & i's management, raising questions about Seven & i's future as a potential takeover target if its business turnaround fails [2][4][5]. Group 1: Bid Withdrawal and Reactions - Couche-Tard's bid was intended to be the largest foreign takeover of a Japanese company, but ended in conflict, with Couche-Tard accusing Seven & i's board of obfuscation and delay [3][5]. - Following the withdrawal, Seven & i's shares have decreased by approximately 13% and are down about 20% year-to-date, indicating investor skepticism about the company's turnaround efforts [4][12]. - Couche-Tard's leadership expressed disappointment over the lack of engagement from Seven & i, claiming that important information was missing from discussions [6][7]. Group 2: Seven & i's Business Strategy - Seven & i is currently undergoing significant business reforms, including a $5.4 billion divestiture of some retail operations, which is expected to close in September [7][8]. - The company is also implementing a share buyback program worth approximately $13.5 million, although this has not yet positively impacted its stock price [8]. - Despite recent challenges, Seven & i's operating profits for March to May rose by 9.7% year-on-year to $438 million, although this was noted as the second-lowest quarterly result in the past decade [11]. Group 3: Future Implications - Couche-Tard's public comments may attract other potential bidders or activist investors, as Seven & i's underperforming share price makes it a prime candidate for acquisition [12]. - Historical context shows that Seven & i has previously reformed under external pressure, suggesting that continued investor scrutiny could lead to further changes in management or strategy [9][10].

About this content About Angela Harmantas Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government ...

The Japanese owner of the 7-Eleven convenience stores is now under pressure to show it can do it alone: Here is your Evening Briefing. https://t.co/j4vnLuUgjz ...

A 7-Eleven convenience store, operated by Seven & i Holdings Co., in Kawasaki, Japan, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024.Trading in Seven & i was halted Thursday after Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard withdrew its $47 billion bid to acquire the Japanese company.Convenience store operator Couche-Tard announced Wednesday that it was pulling its takeover bid for Japan's Seven & i Holdings, saying there was a "persistent lack of good faith engagement.""There has been no sincere or constructive engagement from 7&i that w ...

Core Viewpoint - Alimentation Couche-Tard has withdrawn its acquisition proposal for Seven & i Holdings due to a lack of constructive engagement from Seven & i's leadership [1][4][18] Proposal Details - Couche-Tard initially proposed ¥2,600 per ordinary share, representing a 47.6% premium to Seven & i's unaffected stock price [2] - The proposal was fully financed with a clear path to regulatory approvals, but Seven & i's management did not engage in meaningful discussions [2][11] Due Diligence Challenges - Couche-Tard faced significant limitations in due diligence, receiving only 14 files related to the U.S. business over 10 weeks, with no answers to critical questions [6][5] - The information provided by Seven & i was largely confirmatory and did not facilitate a constructive dialogue [4][5] Management Engagement - There were only two management meetings, which were tightly scripted and did not yield new information [9][10] - Key executives from Seven & i were often absent or unengaged during these meetings, limiting the effectiveness of discussions [9][10] Regulatory Considerations - Couche-Tard acknowledged the need for regulatory approvals and proposed a term sheet that included a reverse termination fee valued at approximately $1.2 billion, increasing to over $1.4 billion if additional divestitures were required [11] - The company expressed confidence in navigating the U.S. regulatory process despite Seven & i's concerns [11] Alternative Transaction Structures - Couche-Tard explored alternative structures to maximize value for Seven & i shareholders, including a proposal to acquire 100% of the business outside Japan and 40% of the Japan business [14] - This alternative structure aimed to provide ongoing participation for existing Seven & i shareholders in the combined international business [14] Conclusion - Couche-Tard remains committed to its growth and believes that a combination with Seven & i could enhance its business trajectory, but it cannot proceed without genuine engagement from Seven & i's leadership [18]

About this content About Angela Harmantas Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government ...

Core Insights - ARKO Corp. has opened its first food-focused remodeled store in Ashland, Virginia, featuring its new food brand, fas craves, aimed at enhancing the convenience store experience [1][4][6] Group 1: Store Launch and Concept - The Ashland location is part of a pilot program that includes eight sites, with six remodels and two new builds, focusing on a menu of hot and cold grab-n-go items [2] - The fas craves menu includes a variety of offerings such as crispy chicken biscuits, potato wedges, mozzarella sticks, and various beverages like nitro cold brew and frozen coffee [3] Group 2: Customer Experience and Design - The remodeled store features a customer-friendly layout, digital menu boards, and a contemporary design, all aimed at improving the shopping experience [4] - The store's product assortment is shaped by customer feedback, ensuring it meets the needs of today's on-the-go consumers [4] Group 3: Promotions and Future Plans - To celebrate the opening, special food deals are offered, including Ultimate Chicken Tenders and discounted drinks [5] - The fas craves brand will continue to expand alongside store remodels across ARKO's network, bringing new food options to a wider customer base [6]