Convenience-store chain 7-Eleven is closing hundreds of "underperforming" stores in North America, its Japanese-owner said.

The company cited slow sales, declining traffic, inflationary pressures, and a decrease in cigarette purchases among the reasons why some stores are closing.

Several hundred “underperforming” 7-Eleven locations across North America are closing, the convenience store announced.

A total of 444 7-Eleven stores are being shut down across North America due to underperforming, the company announced. 7-Eleven’s Japan-based parent company, Seven & I Holdings, announced in an earnings report on Thursday that a decrease in sales, inflation and smaller traffic have impacted this decision.

The 444 stores to close are among 13,000 stores the convenience chain has in the U.S. and Canada. A list of stores to close was not released by the company, which announced the plan to shutter the stores during its most recent earnings call late last week. The closures are expected to happen in the fourth quarter of this year.

The move comes as the convenience store’s parent company tries to stave off a takeover bid from the owner of competing chain Circle K. 7-Eleven is closing 444 of its “underperforming” convenience-store locations across North America,

The ubiquitous convenience store owed its recent revenue drops to inflation, declining cigarette sales and a shift in palates toward fresh food and specialty drinks.

Here's what is known about the company's plans. How many stores will 7-Eleven be closing nationwide? USA Today reported that the chain will close 444 stores throughout the United

Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is closing hundreds of stores in North America.Parent company Seven & I Holdings that the 444 locations were “underperforming.” They make up about 3 percent of 7-Leven's total of around 13,