The woke war on personal choice strikes again as 7-Eleven, the convenience store giant, announces the closure of nearly 450 underperforming stores across North America. The reason? A dip in sales—particularly cigarette sales—paired with the economic squeeze of inflation. While high-income earners may be insulated, it’s middle- and working-class Americans who are feeling the pinch the hardest, driving these closures.

According to the company’s Japan-based parent, Seven & I Holdings, the decision to shutter 444 locations comes after six consecutive months of traffic declines, including a substantial 7.3% drop in August. A list of which specific stores will be affected hasn’t been released, but the closures will account for about 3% of 7-Eleven’s 13,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada.

The once-robust convenience store chain is being hit where it hurts: in the pocketbooks of everyday Americans. As inflation soars and interest rates remain sky-high, 7-Eleven, like many businesses, is seeing consumers adopt a “more prudent approach to consumption,” according to the company’s earnings report. This is particularly true for middle- and low-income earners who are being squeezed the most by today’s tough economic conditions.

One major contributing factor to these closures is the plummeting sales of cigarettes—a former powerhouse category for convenience stores. Since 2019, cigarette sales have fallen by a staggering 26%, and efforts to replace that revenue with other nicotine products have failed to make a significant difference. The decline in cigarette sales isn’t just a coincidence—it’s the result of a sustained anti-smoking campaign by the government and health advocacy groups. For a nation that once prided itself on freedom of choice, it’s becoming increasingly clear that consumer autonomy is under attack.

Rather than cater to personal preferences, 7-Eleven is being forced to transform its business model to focus on food, which has now overtaken cigarettes as the chain’s top-selling category. The company says it strives to be “a world-class retail group centered around food,” while pushing global growth strategies and incorporating technology to remain competitive. In other words, they’re shifting focus to keep up with the ever-tightening regulatory landscape.

In July, the chain announced plans to introduce international food items like milk, bread, egg sandwiches, and miso ramen to its U.S. stores. While this move is touted as part of a broader strategy to remain relevant, it’s also clear that these closures are yet another consequence of the inflationary and regulatory squeeze that’s hitting middle America hardest. As the government continues to overregulate and overreach, businesses like 7-Eleven are being forced to adapt in ways that don’t always benefit their most loyal customers.

Ultimately, this is more than just a business decision—it’s a reflection of the broader challenges facing everyday Americans and businesses alike in today’s climate. The question now is, how much more will the heartland have to sacrifice before things turn around? 7-Eleven’s closure of hundreds of stores is just another sign of the times.