Chain convenience store group 7-Eleven has jointly announced with China UnionPay the launch of a financial service plan, providing China UnionPay's standard card users in Guangdong with a series of convenient payment services.

The Japan-headquartered online retailer Rakuten has jointly announced with President Chain Store Corporation, the operator of 7-Eleven in Taiwan, that the two companies would cooperate to integrate their virtual and physical retail channels.

According to Li Jiahui, president of Guangdong Sai Yi Convenience Stores, the company plans to increase the number of its 7-Eleven stores in Guangdong to 500 by the end of 2008 and the number will be further increased to 1,000 in three to five years.

President Chain Store Corporation has announced that the company has formally received the franchise rights of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Shanghai and the first store in the city will be opened before the end of 2008.