While Couche-Tard has dramatically exited talks over buying Seven & i Holdings, the Japanese giant could yet have to fend off further bids from retailers and investors.

Tard Inc. ended its pursuit of Japan’s Seven & i Holdings Co., with the Canadian retailer’s ambitions giving way to mounting pressures in its own business.Shares of Couche-Tard soared as much as 18.5% in early trading Thursday,

Couche-Tard, the operator of Circle K stores, after it said the 7-Eleven owner, Seven & i Holdings, refused to engage constructively on the deal.