Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT) and Japan's Seven & i said they have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that will give the Canadian company access to the Japanese retailer's financial data as it seeks a $47 billion acquisition.

In March, Seven & i and Couche-Tard set an end-of-the-month deadline for potential buyers of the companies' U.S. convenience stores to express their interest and address antitrust concerns, as Convenience Store News previously reported. Potential buyers have reportedly already entered talks and signed NDAs.

Japan's retail giant Seven & i Holdings and Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard said on Thursday they have signed a non-disclosure agreement to share their financial and other information. Couche-Tard is proposing to buy the Japanese firm.