A Man With a Plan: Reitan’s Jesper Østergaard
The world’s number one 7-Eleven store is in Copenhagen Central station in Denmark. Operated by Reitan, Danish 7-Eleven stores sell an average of 600 food products, per day, per store. Only 7-Eleven stores in Japan and Hawaii sell more food products than Denmark. So, how did Jesper Østergaard, Reitan retail’s managing director and the Reitan team transform 7-Eleven Denmark into one of the top performing ‘foodvenience’ operators worldwide? In this week’s episode of The Future of Convenience, Jesper talks frankly about his career, what drives his love of retail and where he gets his inspiration.
Jesper Østergaard’s career path in retail has been nothing short of remarkable, with his experiences spanning from transforming Blockbuster Denmark to leading 7-Eleven Denmark. His early career began in the optician industry, but it was his role in turning around Blockbuster Denmark that truly set the stage for his success.
In 2006, Jesper took the helm at 7-Eleven Denmark where he saw potential in transforming the brand’s strategy. Inspired by a study tour in 2010, Jesper and his team decided to shift their focus from traditional kiosk offerings to becoming a food destination. “We simply have to totally change the way we work in the customer proposition and everything, basically,” he explained.
Today, 7-Eleven Denmark stands as a testament to Jesper’s vision and leadership. The brand has become a staple in Danish society, particularly in Copenhagen, where it operates the largest 7-Eleven store in the world by turnover. Jesper’s ability to reinvent and innovate continues to drive the brand forward, making it a leading player in the global convenience retail industry.
The Future of Convenience is a bi-weekly podcast focusing on the future of global convenience, fuels and mobility retail. New episodes air every other Friday and are available on your favorite podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Be sure to subscribe to be the first to hear every new episode!
