It has been revealed that Seven & i Holdings, a major retailer, will enter into a capital and business alliance with BALS, which operates the general goods store Francfranc. Seven & i will acquire 49% of BALS's shares.

Through this alliance, Seven & i will roll out Francfranc in its own shopping centers and will also work on joint product planning. Earlier this month, Seven & i announced capital participation in Nissen Holdings, Barneys Japan, and Tenmaya.