Table of Contents
Executive Summary
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- Top takeaways
- The issues
- Slow growth for in-store not enough to offset fluctuations in fuel revenue
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- Figure 1: Total US convenience store revenues and forecast, by segment, at current prices, 2014-19
- C-stores attract more than three quarters of consumers
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- Figure 2: Convenience store types visited, December 2019
- Frequent visits the norm
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- Figure 3: Frequency of convenience store visits, December 2019
- The opportunities
- With frequent visitors an opportunity to get beyond gas and food
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- Figure 4: Reasons for visiting convenience stores, by convenience store visit frequency, December 2019
- Beyond convenience: selection, service key to building visits and purchases
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- Figure 5: Reasons for choosing a convenience store over other channels, by age, December 2019
- Young shoppers prefer convenience stores but want healthier choices
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- Figure 6: Attitudes toward convenience stores, by age, December 2019
The Market – What You Need to Know
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- Convenience store revenues fluctuate on swings in fuel prices
- Slow growth for in-store not enough to offset fluctuations in fuel revenue
- Foodservice increases in share and importance
- Big grocers go small, creating fresh competition for c-stores
Market Size and Forecast
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- Convenience store revenues fluctuate on swings in fuel prices
- Mintel’s forecast and COVID-19
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- Figure 7: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of convenience store revenues and forecast, at current prices, 2014-24
- Figure 8: Total US convenience store revenues and forecast, at current prices, 2014-24
Market Breakdown
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- Slow growth for in-store not enough to offset fluctuations in fuel revenue
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- Figure 9: Total US convenience store revenues and forecast, by segment, at current prices, 2014-19
- Total tobacco products hold steady but may have a cloudy future
- Foodservice increases in share and importance
- Beverages remain a prime c-store draw amid changing tastes
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- Figure 10: Distribution of convenience store in-store sales, by category, 2016 and 2018
Market Perspective
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- C-store foodservice sales growth slows as competition intensifies
- A move to more MTO
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- Figure 11: Total US convenience store foodservice sales, at current prices, 2014-19
- Big grocers go small, creating fresh competition for c-stores
Market Factors
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- Fluctuating fuel prices drive swings in c-store revenue and profit
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- Figure 12: US gasoline and diesel retail prices, all grades annual average, 2009-19
Key Players – What You Need to Know
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- Reinventing convenience stores for a new generation of shoppers
- Frictionless retail well-suited to c-stores
What’s Happening
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- Reinventing convenience stores for a new generation of shoppers
- Foxtrot Market: integrating in-store and online
- Choice Market: a focus on local
- 7-Eleven leverages private label to strengthen in-store sales
What to Watch
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- Frictionless retail well-suited to c-stores
The Consumer – What You Need to Know
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- C-stores attract more than three quarters of consumers
- Food, drinks and gasoline most common reasons for visiting c-stores
- A choice of convenience
- Gas prices and convenience drive c-store selection
- Better selection of food and beverages key to driving more c-store visits
- Young shoppers prefer convenience stores but seek improvements
Convenience Store Visits
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- C-stores attract more than three quarters of consumers
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- Figure 13: Convenience store types visited, December 2019
- C-stores appeal to broad demographic, but young adults are key
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- Figure 14: Convenience store types visited – NET Any c-store, by gender/age, household income, race/Hispanic origin, December 2019
- Frequent visits the norm, representing a potential platform for growth
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- Figure 15: Frequency of convenience store visits, by gender/age, household income, race/Hispanic origin, December 2019
Reasons for Visiting C-stores
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- Food, beverages and gasoline drive c-store visits
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- Figure 16: Reasons for visiting convenience stores, December 2019
- Young adults visit c-stores for a wider array of reasons
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- Figure 17: Reasons for visiting convenience stores, by age, December 2019
- Frequent visitors look for more than gas and food
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- Figure 18: Reasons for visiting convenience stores, by convenience store visit frequency, December 2019
Reasons for Choosing a C-store over Other Channels
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- A choice of convenience
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- Figure 19: Reasons for choosing a convenience store over other channels, December 2019
- Beyond convenience: selection, service key to building visits and purchases
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- Figure 20: Reasons for choosing a convenience store over other channels, by age, December 2019
Convenience Store Selection Factors
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- Gas prices and convenience drive c-store selection
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- Figure 21: Convenience store selection factors, December 2019
- Food and beverages are key to c-store loyalty
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- Figure 22: Convenience store selection factors – top three, by convenience store visit frequency, December 2019
Desired Improvements in C-stores
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- Improvements in food and beverages key to driving more c-store visits
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- Figure 23: Desired improvements in convenience stores, December 2019
- Younger shoppers more open to enhancement in food and convenience
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- Figure 24: Desired improvements in convenience stores, by age, December 2019
- Frequent visitors want more food choice; non-visitors focus on health
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- Figure 25: Desired improvements in convenience stores, by convenience store visit frequency, December 2019
Attitudes toward Convenience Stores
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- Improving perceptions but still a narrow view
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- Figure 26: Attitudes toward convenience stores, December 2019
- Young shoppers prefer convenience stores but want healthier choices
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- Figure 27: Attitudes toward convenience stores, by age, December 2019
- Younger shoppers more engaged in c-stores
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- Figure 28: Convenience store shopping behaviors, by age, December 2019
Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations
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- Data sources
- Sales data
- Fan chart forecast
- Consumer survey data
- Abbreviations and terms
- Abbreviations
- Terms
Appendix – The Market
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- Figure 29: Total US convenience store revenues and forecast, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2014-24
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