Convenience stores offer speed of service to time-starved consumers who want to get in and out of the store quickly. These shoppers recognize this channel of trade for its convenient locations, extended hours of operation, one-stop shopping, grab-and-go foodservice, variety of merchandise and fast transactions.
The number of convenience stores is 144,541 as of December 31, 2009, a decrease 0.2 percent. This is the second straight year the count has declined and only the fourth time in the last 15 years that the industry’s store count has declined. The count also declined in 1994, 2003 and 2008.