Convenience Stores Offer More

With more competition, convenience stores are providing more amenities and services.

March 09, 2016

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Convenience stores have long been a haven for travelers and locals stopping by for beer, cigarettes, gasoline, food and sodas. Americans now spend more at c-stores and on gasoline than at the grocery store, the St. Augustine Record reports. That means, competition for c-store customers can heat up.

For example, in the Jacksonville, Florida, area, Gate Petroleum will open 10 to 12 new locations within the next two years, while Daily’s will put in two more units. Wawa has plans for 25 stores in the area, while RaceTrac has been building bigger stores. The insides have been changing too, with WiFi, fresh prepared foods and even seating.

“There’s a lot of competition in every industry,” said Mitchell Rhodes, chief operating officer of Gate. “CVS, Walgreens, Family Dollar and Dollar General all compete with us in some format. Some may not sell tobacco; they may not sell alcohol.”

“Everyone is a convenience store at the register,” said Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of industry initiatives. “Best Buy and Home Depot sell candy and drinks at the register. Grocery stores have moved their convenience items up front.” The increased competition hasn’t dampened the convenience store industry, with stores topping 154,000 in the United States, according to NACS. 

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