The c-store giants inked nondisclosure agreements with potential buyers earlier this year. They’ve now done so with each other, which should help them facilitate deal discussions and due diligence.

(Reuters) -Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard said on Wednesday that it has signed a non-disclosure agreement with Japanese retail giant Seven & i Holdings for its takeover offer. The detailed terms of the agreement will remain confidential, Seven & i said in a separate statement.

Alimentation Couche-Tard has signed a non-disclosure agreement with Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd., advancing takeover talks between the two convenience-store retailers that have been ongoing since August .