Why 7-Eleven Should Come to the Netherlands
Marjan already thinks it’s a huge gap in the Dutch supermarket offering that there’s no 7-Eleven here. But even more so ever since she heard the latest news about this affordable convenience store, originally from the United States. They’re bringing us a bar filled with tater tots.
7-Eleven is my go-to store abroad. Especially in Asia, you’ll find one in virtually every city, often around the corner from your hotel or AirBNB. A compact convenience store with a mix of local food products, both fresh and ready-to-eat. Plus pretty much everything you could need as a traveler. Food souvenirs for your family and friends back home. Snacks for your hotel room or the road. A rain poncho or umbrella for when the local weather catches you off guard. And yet, above all, still a true neighborhood store for the locals.
Grilled sandwiches from 7-Eleven
In Taipei ‘my’ 7-Eleven was temporarily collaborating with the Japanese chain Muji, resulting in an entire shelf full of goodies in typically simple yet stunning Muji design. You couldn’t imagine better food souvenirs. And in Thailand, the cult neighborhood supermarket sells grilled sandwiches in various flavors that you can grill yourself at the checkout in a hot sandwich press. In Hawaii, 7-Eleven sells the local specialty spam musubi: a kind of large sushi with a slice of Spam, held together by a strip of nori.
And so, the global chain of neighborhood convenience stores that originated in Dallas in 1927 offers local surprises everywhere. Worldwide, I write. And indeed, 7-Eleven operates in 18 countries, including Japan (more than a third), China, Mexico and Scandinavia. And that hurts. Because why don’t we have 7-Eleven? According to Wikipedia, an attempt was made in 1981, but it foundered on our strict store opening hours. And they just left it at that?
Tater tot bar
Now I’m reading this week that the ever-innovative neighborhood store has something new in the US: a tater tot bar. In other words: a tater tot bar. With condiments of your choice. From onions and jalapeños to cheese and chilis. Ten for a dollar and 25 for two dollars, coming out crispy from the microwave at the checkout. Tater tots, one of my favorite ways to prepare potatoes (alongside fries, roast potatoes and rösti), are having their moment and 7-Eleven is immediately capitalizing on it. And that’s yet another reason why 7-Eleven needs to come to the Netherlands very soon.
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