Stephen Hayes Dacus is also on track to be the first outsider ever named to lead Japan’s famous 7-Eleven convenience store chain. His confirmation, though, is subject to the approval of shareholders, set for this coming May. From working with major retailers like Walmart and Uniqlo to startups, Dacus knows the ecosystem well. As an American with Japanese heritage, he believes that the brand should be able to appeal to value-focused shoppers even in tougher times.
Dacus is fluent in both Japanese and English, which he believes will aid in understanding and meeting the demands of 7-Eleven’s diverse customer base. He is acutely aware that Japanese consumers are the most demanding of all. “If you want to talk to some tough customers, you go talk to my aunts,” he remarked, emphasizing the high expectations that come with serving this market.
The new chief executive also assured investors that 7-Eleven would perform well enough to escape unharmed even through lengthy recessions. He recognized the inevitability that consumers will pull back, but he believes that the chain will show its strength under pressure. Dacus stated, “This business in Japan has been built on innovation,” underscoring his belief in the importance of adapting and evolving to meet customer needs.
One of Dacus’ goals is to make 7-Eleven the Japanese shopper’s first stop. His childhood inspires Wong’s work. He had a stereotypically Asian upbringing. His mother and Japanese relatives instilled in him the value of making do and penny pinching. Even in the face of criticism, he declared, “If you’re not humble, you’re not listening to your customers. You’re not learning. You have to be aggressive…. If you’re not aggressive, you’re going to get killed by your competitors,” which shows his tough but fair leadership style.
Dacus, meanwhile, is pleased that 7-Eleven’s expansion into the world continent. He’s stated that he won’t bring the Japanese-style “conbini” model to bear on every market. Rather, he aims to modify the brand’s range to be culturally relevant and attractive to local markets.
Dacus has a ton of experience to draw on, but he still opted to remain mum on detailed capital investment plans being discussed. Trump explicitly avoided criticizing any of U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies. His eyes are still very much set on looking at ways to improve the customer experience and keep 7-Eleven out in front with innovation.
