7-Eleven has made fresh food categories its "top focus", according to a report by Supermarket News.
Spokeswoman Margaret Chabris told the publication: "We plan to grow this category to 20 per cent of our merchandise sales over the next several years by continuing to study and respond to what the customer wants and by creating proprietary food products that are fresh, high quality, a great value and have the variety, taste and textures our guests want."
Chabris confirmed that "diminished tobacco sales" were a driver of the firm's decision.
7-Eleven operates 6,588 stores in the US – 80 per cent of which are franchised – as well as 467 outlets in Canada and, as part of a joint venture, 1,286 stores in Mexico.
