Seven & i Holdings maintains convenience stores in U.S. and Canada.

Reducing the company's impact on the environment and preserving natural resources remains a primary focus for 7-Eleven, Inc. (SEI). In 2014, SEI continued to make progress toward this goal by investing in a variety of energy and sustainability programs that increase efficiency and reduce waste and resource consumption. As a result, the company achieved an annualized reduction of CO₂ emissions of an estimated 298,442 metric tons and annualized energy cost savings of approximately $45 million.

In 2014, SEI continued to expand its LED lighting program, a feature element within the company's energy-efficient store design standard. The LED lighting program is retrofitted in existing stores and implemented in new stores. LED lights are energy efficient, eliminate the use of hazardous materials and comply with local regulations to reduce light pollution. In addition, they improve the quality of lighting to support store safety and enhance the customer shopping experience. Since introducing the program in 2011, more than 4,300 stores now feature LED lighting and remains a significant contributor to the company's overall CO 2 reduction initiatives.

To strengthen SEI's energy management strategy, in 2014, the company continued to roll out energy management systems (EMS) in stores to monitor, control and optimize the performance of HVAC and refrigerant equipment, which yield significant energy consumption. EMS enables remote control of HVAC and other energy-consuming equipment, and the real-time data obtained is used to perform self-diagnostic and optimization routines on a frequent basis to reduce energy consumption and manage costs. Nearly 3,500 stores have EMS installed.

SEI understands that efficient use of water helps reduce the demands on our water supply and preserve this essential natural resource. To reduce SEI's water consumption, in 2014 the company continued to install low-flow aerator faucets as part of the standard energy-efficient design plan for all new stores. More than 4,000 stores have the water-saving faucets since the company introduced the program in 2012.

SEI aims to provide healthy, convenient food and beverage options to our guests through its better-for-you food menu. The goal is to create foods that are both nutritious and have great flavor to fit customers' healthy lifestyle needs, at affordable prices.

SEI has been expanding its fresh food menu to include healthier options like entree and side salads with low-fat dressings, better-for-you sandwiches, yogurt parfaits with fresh fruit and granola, vegetable and hummus snacks, fresh-cut and whole fruit, and hard-boiled eggs. The addition of these nutritionally balanced products gives our guests better and more varied choices when they are on the go.

SEI recognizes that many consumers are looking for healthier, less-processed options. In 2014, to answer consumer demand for better-for-you snacking options at a value price, the company expanded its 7-Select private-label packaged snacks of roasted and flavored nuts, seeds and trail mixes. While the quality matches or exceeds that of comparable national brands, the prices do not, with most priced at a savings of 10 to 20 percent.

SEI is committed to diversity and building leaders from within the company. To help them in this important endeavor, in 2014, the company continued its relationship with the Network of Executive Women (NEW).

The mission of NEW is to help companies attract, retain and advance women in the consumer products and retail industry through education, leadership and business development. As a NEW corporate member, SEI is connected to more than 8,000 members from every retail channel and product category, 700 organizations, 100 national sponsor companies and 20 regional groups in the United States and Canada.

A female SEI SVP serves as the 7-Eleven NEW Ambassador to approximately 50 SEI female employees selected to engage in NEW to help them grow as professionals, while helping SEI capitalize on the value of their leadership diversity.

NEW benefits and resources available to SEI members include:

SEI understands the value of continuous learning and development to build employee competencies for personal growth and maximize employee potential. Employees with strong abilities also support the organization achieving its business goals and objectives. Through their employee learning and performance improvement initiatives, the company aims to enhance how they support their stores and serve their customers.

In 2014, SEI's learning curriculum included the In Store Experience (ISE). The ISE is a critical component to help all Head Office employees understand how their role impacts the company's operations, stores, associates and customers.

To ensure that all Head Office employees have a valuable training experience applicable to their role, there are 2 versions of the ISE program. Depending on the employee's department, role, operations experience, and other factors, they will complete one of two versions of the program: 5 WEEK ISE or 10 DAY ISE.

The 5 WEEK ISE program is designed for directors and leaders of certain functions that have direct impact to the stores or the field. These roles require a broad understanding of store operations, systems, tools and processes.

The 10 DAY ISE program is designed for individuals that indirectly support the stores or the field. These roles require more targeted knowledge of store processes for the functional area they support. The topics learned during this experience will vary based on their department and role.

Through the ISE employees have hands-on experience in a fully functioning 7-Eleven store. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of store operations and guests, participants will experience some of the challenges that their sales associates face every day. They also have the opportunity to train alongside other Head Office employees. Networking with peers and co-workers during the ISE allows employees to learn together and about what others do, and fosters future collaboration back at the Head Office.

After completing the ISE, employees have the ability to make improvements based on what they learned. They meet with their leader to discuss how they can improve their day-to-day tasks, decisions and responsibilities to better serve their guests and support our stores.

In order to fulfill its responsibilities to be a good corporate citizen, SEI hopes to improve the quality of life in local communities through unified activities by the Head Office and franchisees. Its philanthropic focus areas are youth well-being and military families.

In 2014, more than $3.1 million in cash equivalent value was donated to more than 1,400 organizations, including cash donations from customers, franchisees, employees, and the company, as well as in-kind contributions and volunteer hours for local initiatives.

SEI is committed to doing its part to support and strengthen communities in which they operate. In 2014, the company maintained its focus on promoting youth well-being through education, safety and hunger relief initiatives. Working in partnership with local schools, youth sports organizations, law enforcement agencies and food banks, SEI aims to ensure youth have a strong foundation for a successful future.

Education helps young people prepare for adulthood. Learning involves the development of physical and cognitive skills, knowledge acquisition and the shaping of values, attitudes and beliefs. SEI's focus on education helps create bright futures for youth through its community outreach program, Project A-Game.

During the hot summer months and back-to-school season, SEI teamed up with local police departments to implement Operation Chill, the company's 19-year old community outreach program. Through Operation Chill good kids in more than 700 neighborhoods, cities, towns and counties received free Slurpee drink coupons for 7-Eleven. The program allows Law enforcement officers from participating local police departments to "ticket" youngsters who are caught in random acts of kindness, good deeds or positive community activities with free Slurpee coupons. Good behaviors might include helping another person, wearing a bicycle helmet while riding or skateboarding, deterring crime or participating in a community service project.

As a good corporate citizen, SEH supports activities and organizations involved with children, education, public welfare and health. In 2014 an equivalent of approximately $ 40,805 in support was carried out for 46 organizations through fundraising, donations of goods and volunteer activities on the part of SEH customers, member stores, employees and the company.

SEH has been working on an initiative labeled the "Energy Smart Program" to reduce energy consumption since 2012. Under the program, SEH has carried out many kinds of initiatives, such as established a standard temperature set point for all stores' air conditioning systems, which consume the largest amount of energy, also installed energy efficient fan motors in the vaults/freezers, and changed the vault lighting to LED. To raise energy conservation awareness among employees, the company has provided them with environmental education.