The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Nov. 27, edition that Canadian convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard says it is pushing on with its effort to take over Japanese rival Seven & i Holdings, undeterred by a competing offer from a member of Seven's founding Ito family. The Globe's Nicolas Van Praet quotes Couche-Tard chief executive officer Alex Miller telling analysts Tuesday on a call: "We will be persistent and continue our friendly approach to creating what we see as the most compelling outcome for all shareholders, employees and key constituencies of both companies. We continue to see a strong opportunity to grow together. We also remain confident in our ability to finance and complete this combination." Couche-Tard is now offering $47-billion (U.S.) to acquire Seven & i and its global network of 7-Eleven stores. It sees a merger as a way to improve its fresh food offering and become a stronger retailer in what remains a fragmented industry, particularly in the United States. Seven's founding Ito family, which holds an 8-per-cent stake in the Japanese retailer, appears unwilling to sell, however. It is now seeking to counter Couche-Tard's approach with a management buyout proposal.