Discover the strategies that are driving visits, engaging customers, and transforming C-Stores into dining, shopping, and tourism destinations.
C-Stores on the Rise
Grabbing a coffee or snack at a convenience store has long been a staple of road trips. However, today’s Convenience Stores (C-Stores) are becoming destinations in their own right, attracting people who go out of their way to visit.
In recent years, convenience stores have thrived, breaking into the discretionary dining space and growing their audience and sales. From April 2024 to March 2024, C-Stores saw consistent year-over-year (YoY) visit growth, generally outperforming the overall retail sector. Although C-Stores saw a dip in November and December 2024 due to holiday shoppers flocking to malls and superstores, they regained their lead in January 2024. During this period, C-Stores experienced a growth in YoY visits even as overall retail faced a decline due to an Arctic blast that kept many consumers indoors.
The success of C-Stores can be attributed to significant innovations by leading brands such as 7-Eleven, Casey’s, Maverik, Kwik Trip, and Buc-ee’s, all of which saw higher traffic every month of 2024 and in January 2024 compared to 2019.
Leading the Charge: Three Innovative C-Store Brands
While chain expansion has contributed to the growth of the C-Store segment, the increase in visits per location indicates a growing demand at the individual store level as well. From April 2024 to March 2024, the average visits per location across the industry increased by 1.8% compared to the previous year.
Casey’s, Buc-ee’s, and Rutter’s: The New C-Store Destinations
Casey’s saw a 2.3% increase in average visits per location. Their breakfast offerings have likely boosted morning visits, with 17.5% of visits occurring between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in Q1 2024, compared to 14.9% for the wider C-Store category.
Buc-ee’s has become a renowned tourist attraction thanks to its unique food items, award-winning bathrooms, and massive store size. In Q1 2024, 39.6% of visits to Buc-ee’s occurred on weekends, significantly higher than the 28.3% average for other C-Stores.
Rutter’s is increasing visits and customer dwell time by expanding its footprint and venue size. A remodel in York, Pennsylvania, added a second floor with additional seating, a beer cave, and an expanded wine selection, resulting in a 15.6% YoY visit growth in Q1 2024. The share of extended visits (longer than ten minutes) increased from 20.8% in Q1 2024 to 27.0% in Q1 2024.
Final Reflections
As convenience stores evolve into essential local hubs, they are increasingly becoming the go-to destination for everything from quick snacks to daily necessities. Their ability to adapt to community needs and offer a wide range of products has made them indispensable in today's fast-paced world.
To capitalize on this trend, A.I. for convenience site selection is critical. MapZot.AI helps you navigate this process with precision through its advanced AI-powered platform, delivering data-driven insights to identify prime retail locations that align with customer foot traffic and local demand. With MapZot.AI, you can confidently establish your business at the heart of the community, ensuring your C-store becomes the next local hub.
