7-Eleven Japan Cracks Down on Insider Hoarding of 'Ichiban Kuji' Prizes: Strict Rules Ban Franchisees from Self-Dealing

7-Eleven Japan announced that internal personnel at some stores have been stockpiling popular character merchandise, such as anime and game-related gacha items (e.g., Ichiban Kuji) and trading cards, before their official release dates.

In response, the company's headquarters has issued official notices to all franchise stores across Japan, mandating strict adherence to sales regulations.

According to NHK, 7-Eleven has confirmed multiple cases where franchise owners or store employees purchased large quantities of Ichiban Kuji or collectible card products before public release, or reserved them for friends and acquaintances.

The company revealed that several stores have engaged in such improper conduct over the past year, with some outlets even unable to sell the items to regular customers.

7-Eleven suspects that these goods are likely being resold on secondhand marketplaces such as Mercari. The company has already terminated franchise agreements with stores found violating the rules.

In light of these findings, 7-Eleven has instructed all stores nationwide to strictly follow sales guidelines, including:

- Prohibiting bulk sales to a single customer to prevent resale facilitation - Banning priority purchases by store staff or affiliated personnel - Strictly observing pre-announced sale dates and times

7-Eleven stated: 'We believe such misconduct could jeopardize the sustainable operation of stores and is a serious issue. To ensure more customers can fairly access these products, we will continue enhancing guidance and awareness efforts at all stores.'