Tard will continue its friendly pursuit of Seven & i, executives said, even as they vented their frustrations over the slow progress in acquisition talks with the Japanese owner of the 7-Eleven convenience-store chain.

Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard has reiterated its determination to acquire Seven & i Holdings, although the operator of Japan’s top convenience store chain has rejected its offer.

Alimentation Couche-Tard could bolster its $47 billion offer for Seven & I if the Japanese firm became more cooperative and shared its financial information in greater detail, the founder of the Canadian retailer said on Thursday.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. could increase its offer to acquire rival global convenience-store retailer Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd., but only if the Tokyo-based company engages in talks, Couche-Tard executives said during a news conference held in Tokyo today to make a case for the transaction, Bloomberg reported.

Canadian convenience store and gas station operator Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. said it could increase its offer to acquire long-time rival Seven & i Holdings Co., but only if the latter engages in takeover talks.

What can you do when you can’t go hostile in a deal? For Alimentation Couche-Tard , the answer is a press conference. On Thursday, the Canadian owner of the Circle-K convenience store chain made the case for its takeover of Japan’s Seven & i to local media in Tokyo - a first since launching a $47 billion offer in August.