LAS VEGAS - 7-Eleven Inc. announced yesterday a real estate partnership with NAI Corporate Real Estate Services (NAI CRES) in the Las Vegas market to build its presence and add to the more than 160 7-Eleven stores already in Clark County, Nevada. The convenience retail leader elected to engage NAI CRES as its real estate partner to act as its exclusive broker for new store growth, site selection, acquisitions, dispositions and other real estate needs.

7-Eleven??s primary objective is to improve its overall store presence. Through careful and methodical growth together with strategic relocations to capitalize on the strongest trade areas, 7-Eleven anticipates expanding its presence in Clark County over the next several years.

In addition to ground-up development and acquisitions, the company??s plans call for the franchise conversions of other retail outlets to 7-Eleven stores. 7-Eleven plans to remodel some existing operations, creating more franchise and other business opportunities.

"7-Eleven is in a unique position among retailers in the current market conditions because they are actively expanding" said Jeff Mitchell of Virtus Commercial, who will locally represent the chain??s real estate needs in Las Vegas. "The 7-Eleven growth strategy is exceptional because it??s adaptable; the company can pursue opportunities in a variety of formats - pad sites, shopping center end caps, urban walk-ups, non-traditional sites such as casinos, sports venues and airports.

"Bottom line is that if there is an opportunity 7-Eleven will look at it, if it is a great opportunity, 7-Eleven opens a store," he said.