Toshifumi Suzuki, the Japanese behind the ‘conbini’ empire...

Look, Suzuki’s passing isn't just some far-off business news. It hits close to home, even for us in Jamaica. You see, for the average Jamaican, a 7-Eleven is that spot where you grab a quick patty and a box juice when the supermarket's already closed. It’s handy, right? For the small shop owner down the road, 7-Eleven is both a headache and a textbook. It’s competition, sure, but it also shows you how to run a tight ship—keeping stock fresh, knowing what sells, and franchising the whole thing out. And for our diaspora family in the US, UK, or Canada? 7-Eleven is everywhere. It’s where they grab a Slurpee on a hot day, a hot dog after work, or hit the ATM. Suzuki’s big ideas—keeping stores open 24 hours, stocking fresh food, and pushing own-brand stuff—changed the game globally. It raised the bar for what we expect from a quick stop. In Jamaica, where 7-Eleven is growing through franchises, his legacy means more jobs for our people. But it also means local shops have to step up their game or get left behind. And for diaspora folks sending money home? Yeah, you can do that at 7-Eleven too. So, in the end, Suzuki made life easier for shoppers but a lot tougher for the old-school corner shop.