IRVING, Texas — A year and a half ago, executives at 7-Eleven predicted the chain’s Mobile Checkout technology would be available in all its convenience stores by the end of 2022. That hasn’t happened yet, but Chief Digital Officer Raghu Mahadevan said the more than 2 million consumers who have used the frictionless payment option through 7-Eleven’s 7Rewards app program are fans of the technology.
CSP Daily News talked with Mahadevan recently to get the pulse of payment technology at the c-store industry’s largest chain.
- 7-Eleven is No. 1 on CSP’s 2022 Top 202 ranking of the largest U.S. c-store chains by number of company-owned retail outlets.
Q: What was your goal as 7-Eleven developed a mobile payment solution?
A: With Mobile Checkout, 7-Eleven was the first retailer in the convenience-store industry to develop proprietary technology for a full, frictionless shopping experience. (Mobile Checkout was launched in 2018.)
We knew that customers were looking for a more convenient shopping experience—including less to no time spent waiting in line—which led to the development of Mobile Checkout. By offering a seamless and touchless way to shop and pay, Mobile Checkout allows customers to control their end-to-end experience through a secure and efficient solution.
Q: How many 7-Eleven stores in the U.S. have Mobile Checkout?
A: Since its inception in 2018, Mobile Checkout has expanded to over 3,500 stores across the U.S. and Canada.
Q: What is the customer reaction?
A: Mobile Checkout created an experience that boosted customer confidence during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to do so today. Customers who have adopted Mobile Checkout rave about it.
Q: What have you learned and how will you adjust going forward?
A: One of the things we’ve learned is that customers may need different checkout solutions at different times, so Mobile Checkout may not be the ideal option for every customer, every visit. We’ve learned it’s important to have a variety of checkout options to meet customers’ varying needs.
Overall, we are committed to continuing 7-Eleven’s legacy of innovation by expanding Mobile Checkout and other digital solutions that meet consumers’ shifting purchasing behaviors.
Click here for more information about 7-Eleven’s Mobile Checkout offer.
Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven Inc. operates, franchises or licenses more than 72,800 stores in 17 countries, including more than 13,000 in the United States.