March 7 (Reuters) - Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard ( ANCTF )

said it is having exploratory talks with third parties

about a potential sale of U.S. stores, which would help it gain

regulatory approval should it reach a deal to take over Japan's

Seven & i Holdings ( SVNDF ).

"We believe there is a clear path to obtaining regulatory

approvals of a transaction with 7&i and have made a robust

proposal to 7&i about our commitment to doing so," a Couche-Tard

spokesperson said.

Couche-Tard has made a $47 billion takeover bid for the

operator of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain.

Seven & i ( SVNDF ) on Thursday appointed its first foreign CEO and

handed him the task of overhauling its business to fend off the

bid. Incoming chief executive Stephen Dacus said talks would

continue with the Circle K-operator, but significant regulatory

hurdles stood in the way of a combination of the companies.