- In Taiwan, certain 7-11s are completely themed around pop-culture icons like Snoopy Hello Kitty and Mickey Mouse.
- These convenience stores go beyond snacks and drinks—they also do things like train and subway ticketing, as well as postal services.
- Texas and Thailand are also embracing this cute trend.
I was walking in Taipei‘s Zhongzheng District with my parents a couple of years ago when we all started squealing—the section of the covered sidewalk we were passing through had immersed us in a Peanuts wonderland. Charlie Brown, Peppermint Pat, Sally and Linus were all lined up on the wall, while Snoopy, a giant Snoopy, skateboarded over them. Sure, cutesy stores are common in Taiwan, but this wasn’t a memorabilia shop—it was a 7-11As locals say, “Seven.”
Across Taiwan, some 7-11 stores have adopted themed personas. You Trip Singapore shared in a social media post. You’ll find a variety of things in Taipei. shops decked out in Mickey MouseSummiko Gurashi and Sanrio Hello Kitty MasertiLay’s Potato Crisps has themes as well.
We’re not talking just about wallpaper. The stores are going all out with Snoopy and Kanahei Small Animals There are also characters seated in seats with customers, as well as a display case in the shape a Lays van and themed to-go cups. Also, there is a wide variety of merchandise for sale. It’s a miniature theme park that doubles as 7-11.
Taiwan’s convenience stores also differ from their counterparts in America. In Taiwan, convenience stores such as 7-11, FamilyMart, Hi-Life and OK Mart, are not only plentiful, but also an integral part of everyday life. Pay your parking ticket. Want to buy a concert, train or bus ticket? Sending a package from one city to another? I have done all these things as well as popped in to a 7-11 for a soft-serve ice cream late at night or a morning gingershot.
You can also count on 7-11 to have a clean bathroom and a quiet area for resting. It is truly a convenience store.
In 2023, I visited a convenience store between three and five times per day during my two month stay. Everything is easy, with low prices and high quality. Plus, there’s nothing to complain about when it comes to customer service—staffers go above and beyond. When I bought too many souvenirs in my grandmother’s hometown of Beigang and wanted to ship some back to Taipei, they helped me with packaging and taping—and the box got to the capital before I did. When I purchased a ticket for one of my favorite Irish Boy Bands Westlife to play at the Taipei Music CenterThey helped me figure out the automated machine. A 7-11 employee was kind enough to make sure my dad and I got soft serve even though the machine had been turned off.
The stores that we have chosen are the best in their respective categories. integrated into daily Taiwanese cultureIt’s not surprising that the island country started adding a little whimsical fun in certain places. Though the cute collaborations reportedly originated in Taiwan—and there’s no doubt that the island has the most themed stores—now the trend is spreading around the globe The 7-11 store in Pattaya is shaped like a boat, while in Texas, the bigger, the better.
Being from a family that is Snoopy fanatics (who have geeked out over the Charles M. Schulz Museum You can also find out more about the following: Snoopy Home Ice In Santa Rosa, California), the Snoopy 7-11 holds a very special place in our family’s hearts, because it combined two of their obsessions: fun and convenience.
