Industry Statistics

The U.S. convenience store count increased to a record 148,126 stores as of December 31, 2011, a 1.2% increase (1,785 stores) from the year prior (146,341). There were 144,541 in 2010 and 144,875 in 2009. Convenience stores now account for 34.6% of all retail outlets.

-National Association of Convenience Stores/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count, 2012

Total convenience store sales in 2011 were a record $681.9 billion, or one out of every 22 dollars of the overall $15.04 trillion U.S. gross domestic product.
-National Association of Convenience Stores, 2012

In-store convenience store sales grew 2.4%, reaching a record $195.0 billion. Overall in-store sales totaled $178.8 billion in 2010, $173.0 billion in 2009, and $166.0 billion in 2008.
-National Association of Convenience Stores, 2012

Convenience stores’ motor fuel sales grew 18.8% in 2010 to $395.3 billion. Motor fuel revenues, which accounted for 68.9% of overall convenience store sales in 2010, amounted to $332.7 billion in 2009 and $467.9 billion in 2008.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Overall sales of convenience stores increased 13.5% in 2010 to $574.1 billion. Convenience store revenues slipped to $505.7 billion in 2009, after an all-time record of $633.9 billion in 2008.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Pretax profits for the convenience store industry rose 18.6% in 2010 to $6.111 billion. Pre-tax profits per store in 2010 were $42,666, an increase of 17.1% from 2009. The gross profit margin per store was 12.5% in 2010.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Of the $178.8 billion generated through in-store sales at convenience stores in 2010, merchandise accounted for $155.0 billion of the total, while foodservice was responsible for the remaining $23.8 billion. Merchandise revenues were up 3.0% in 2010, when compared to 2009, while foodservice sales increased 6.1%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Of the 146,341 convenience stores in business at the start of 2011, 62.7% were categorized as single-store operations, meaning that they were either owned or franchised by an individual, which was the highest percentage ever recorded. States with the highest percentage of one-store operations are Washington (78%), Georgia (75%), Alabama (73%), Louisiana (73%), Mississippi (71%) and Connecticut (71%).
-National Association of Convenience Stores, 2011

Although motor fuel accounted for 68.9% of convenience store sales in 2010, it contributed only 33.2% of gross profit dollars.
-National Association of Convenience Stores, 2011

Share of convenience store foodservice sales in 2010, by category: Prepared food (on- and off-site), 60.3%; hot dispensed beverages, 26.7%; cold dispensed beverages, 8.4%; frozen dispensed beverages, 4.6%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

The number of convenience stores in the U.S. reached an all-time high at the beginning of 2011 — 146,341, up from 144,541 in 2010 and 144,875 in 2009.
-National Association of Convenience Stores, 2011

According to a survey of convenience store retailers, methods the respondents considered to be most effective in promoting new products: Price promotions, 79.2%; signage, 74.3%; shippers/in & out displays, 60.8%; on-shelf promotions, 41.6%; TV advertising, 36.3%; radio advertising, 27.3%; digital advertising, 26.7%; print advertising (newspapers, magazines), 22.5%; email, 18.2%; direct mail, 16.0%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Gross margins on foodservice sales at convenience stores averaged 45.1% in 2010, while merchandise gross margins averaged 23.7%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Demographics

Of those adults who shopped at a convenience store from 6-9 times in the past month, 58.2% were men and 41.8% were women.
-GfK MRI, 2011

The average convenience store selling fuel has around 1,100 customers per day.
-National Association of Convenience Stores, 2009

Adults 18+ who shopped at a convenience store from 6-9 times in the last month, by age group: 18-24, 15.7%; 25-34, 20.3%; 35-44, 21.1%; 45-54, 20.9%; 55-64, 12.1%; 65+, 9.9%.
-GfK MRI, 2011

Adults 18+ who shopped at a convenience store from 6-9 times in the past month, by income bracket: $100,000+, 23.5%; $75-99,999, 14.1%; $60-74,999, 11.5%; $50-59,999, 9.8%; $40-49,999, 8.7%; $30-39,999, 8.1%; $20-29,999, 10.1%; under $20,000, 14.2%.
-GfK MRI, 2011

Adults 18+ who shopped at a convenience store from 6-9 times in the last month, by race: White, 68.1%; Black, 17.2%; Other, 14.7%; Hispanic origin, 17.1%.
-GfK MRI, 2011

Adults 18+ who visited a convenience store from 6-9 times in the past month, by region: Northeast, 16.7%; Midwest, 18.6%; South, 45.2%; West, 19.5%.
-GfK MRI, 2011

Adults 18+ who shopped at a convenience store from 6-9 times in the past month, by marital status: Single, 31.7%; married, 50.8%; separated/widowed/divorced, 17.5%.
-GfK MRI, 2011

“Super heavy” convenience store shoppers (those who visit an average of 22.0 times a month) and “heavy” C-store shoppers (an average of 9.6 trips per month) typically have blue-collar occupations and are 35-54 years old. “Moderate” shoppers (those who visit an average of 5.0 times a month) are slightly more likely to be ages 55-64, with incomes between $45,000 and $75,000.
-The NPD Group, 2011

Coffee and dispensed beverage buyers represent 68% more visits than the average C-store customer.
-The NPD Group, 2011

30.1% of adult males and 19.8% of adult females purchased prepared food at a convenience store in the previous month.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Buying Patterns

Time of day customers shop at convenience stores (more than one answer possible): 6 AM-8:59 AM, 22.1%; 9 AM-10:59 AM, 20.4%; 11 AM-1:59 PM, 25.4%; 2 PM-3:59 PM, 28.6%; 4 PM-6:59 PM, 37.1%; 7 PM-9:59 PM, 22.3%; 10 PM or later, 6.7%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Occasions when customers shop at convenience stores (more than one answer possible): While running errands, 46.1%; while traveling to/from work or school, 42.1%; while traveling for pleasure, 39.2%; special trips to the convenience store from home, 23.4%; while traveling for business, 13.2%; other, 1.6%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Share of convenience store foodservice sales, by daypart: Breakfast (6-9 AM), 24.0%; morning snack (9-11AM), 11.1%; lunch (11 AM-2 PM), 32.1%; afternoon snack (2-4 PM), 10.1%; dinner (4-7 PM), 15.8%; evening snack (7-10 PM), 5.1%; late night (10 PM or later), 1.8%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

“Super heavy” convenience store shoppers (those who average 22.0 visits a month) most often stop in during their morning and evening commutes (5 AM-9 AM and 4 PM-8 PM). These “super heavy” users tend to purchase coffee, carbonated soft drinks, newspapers or magazines in the morning, and are more likely to buy cigarettes or tobacco products, lottery tickets and alcoholic beverages in the evening.
-The NPD Group, 2011

Consumers were asked how often they buy any in-store merchandise when they purchase gas at a C-store: Every time, 4.7%; almost every time, 10.6%; some of the time, 37.1%; rarely, 39.9%; never, 7.7%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Decision Making

Reasons for shopping at convenience stores (multiple answers): Buy gasoline, 68.7%; buy beverages, 46.5%; buy snacks, 27.9%; buy lottery tickets, 26.2%; buy candy/gum, 20.4%; buy cigarettes, 17.6%; buy prepared food/fast food for immediate consumption, 17.5%; to use the restroom, 14.3%; buy a newspaper/magazine, 13.7%; buy food for consumption later or at home, 11.0%; to use the ATM, 9.3%; buy fill-in/emergency grocery items, 8.8%; to look around/browse, 4.8%; buy health & beauty care products, 2.7%; other, 1.3%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Which promotional elements would influence consumers to purchase in-store products on their next trip to buy gas at a C-store: Coupons, 40.3%; frequent buyer/loyalty programs, 24.1%; in-store displays, 14.7%; car wash promotions, 14.5%; pump toppers, 13.0%; banners/window signs, 12.1%; in-store promotional signage, 12.1%; gasoline nozzle display ads, 6.0%; video displays, 5.9%; audio music feed with messages, 3.0%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Product Preferences

Reasons for shopping at convenience stores (multiple answers): Buy gasoline, 68.7%; buy beverages, 46.5%; buy snacks, 27.9%; buy lottery tickets, 26.2%; buy candy/gum, 20.4%; buy cigarettes, 17.6%; buy prepared food/fast food for immediate consumption, 17.5%; to use the restroom, 14.3%; buy a newspaper/magazine, 13.7%; buy food for consumption later or at home, 11.0%; to use the ATM, 9.3%; buy fill-in/emergency grocery items, 8.8%; to look around/browse, 4.8%; buy health & beauty care products, 2.7%; other, 1.3%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Which promotional elements would influence consumers to purchase in-store products on their next trip to buy gas at a C-store: Coupons, 40.3%; frequent buyer/loyalty programs, 24.1%; in-store displays, 14.7%; car wash promotions, 14.5%; pump toppers, 13.0%; banners/window signs, 12.1%; in-store promotional signage, 12.1%; gasoline nozzle display ads, 6.0%; video displays, 5.9%; audio music feed with messages, 3.0%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Primary reason adult consumers make a trip to a convenience store: To purchase non-food item(s), 58.1%; to get ready-to-eat items to eat/drink right away, 7.6%; to get an urgently-needed item or two, quickly, 5.9%; a routine shopping trip to buy items for today, 3.6%; a routine shopping trip to buy items for the next day or two, 1.6%; to take advantage of a special offer, 1.4%; to re-stock their home, 0.6%; just to browse, look for something new or have fun, 0.3%; to shop for special occasion (e.g., for guests, party, holiday), 0.1%; other, 20.9%.
-Nielsen Homescan, 2009

Reasons for visiting a specific convenience store (multiple answers): Has the most convenient location, 53.0%; friendly customer service, 21.1%; I can quickly find what I want, 19.3%; store is clean and well-organized, 17.9%; quick checkout, 17.9%; usually has what I want in stock, 15.5%; has lower everyday prices, 14.6%; has a good frequent shopper/loyalty program, 8.3%; has better sale prices, 8.2%; staff provides better service, 8.1%; has a good selection of quick, convenient meals, 6.3%; has well-presented displays of products, 6.0%; store is spacious, 4.9%.
-Nielsen Homescan, 2009

Consumer Spending

The amount of money spent by consumers on their last in-store purchase at a convenience store: Less than $1, 3.0%; $1-$4.99, 33.6%; $5-$9.99, 27.0%; $10-$14.99, 15.8%; $15-$19.99, 5.3%; $20-$29.99, 6.9%; $30 or more, 8.3%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Consumers’ method of payment for their last C-store purchase: Cash, 63.6%; debit card, 18.8%; credit card, 16.3%; check, 0.6%; other, 0.7%.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Sales Channels

Five largest convenience store chains in North America, with total number of stores in 2011: 1. 7-Eleven, Inc., 6,727; 2. Shell Oil Products US/Motiva Enterprises, 4,831; 3. BP North America (BP, BP Connect, Amoco, am/pm Mini Market, Arco), 4,718; 4. Chevron Corp., 3,987; 5. Exxon Mobil Corp., 3,882.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

The 6-10 largest convenience store chains in North America, with total number of stores in 2011: 6. Alimentation Couche-Tard (Circle K, Dairy Mart, Discount Beverage Outlet, etc.), 3,480; 7. Marathon Oil (Marathon, Rich Oil, Speedway), 2,809; 8. Sunoco (A Plus, Coastal, Optima, Sunoco), 1,896; 9. CITGO, 1,776; 10. Valero Energy (Beacon, Corner Store, Diamond Shamrock, Total, Ultramar, Valero), 1,712.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

The 11-15 largest convenience store chains in North America, with total number of stores in 2011: 11. The Pantry Inc. (Quick Stop, Campus Store, Kangaroo Express, Li’l Champ Food Store, Petro Express, etc.), 1,667; 12. Casey’s General Stores, 1,616; 13. Hess Corp., 1,287; 14. ConocoPhillips, 1,255; 15. Kroger Co. (Kwik Shop, Quik Stop, Loaf N Jug, Turkey Hill, Mini Mart, Minit Market, City Market, etc.), 799.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

States with the most convenience stores at the beginning of 2011: 1. Texas, 14,466; 2. California, 10,581; 3. Florida, 9,348; 4. New York, 7,729; 5. Georgia, 6,434; 6. North Carolina, 6,196; 7. Ohio, 5,278; 8. Michigan, 4,828; 9. Illinois, 4,533; 10. Virginia, 4,509.
-National Association of Convenience Stores, 2011

54.6% of consumers say they typically shop at the same convenience store each time, while 45.4% visit different stores.
-Convenience Store News, 2011

Where consumers purchased flowers and plants for Valentine’s Day 2011 (more than one answer possible): Supermarket/grocery store, 46%; retail florist, 28%; mass merchant, 19%; national toll-free floral service, 8%; national Internet floral service, 6%; street vendor, 5%; convenience store, 5%; other, 9%.
-Society of American Florists, 2012