In 1927 the first c-store chain emerged in Dallas, TX, offering a new way to look at convenience. Jefferson Greene of the Southland Ice Company, pioneered the idea of c-stores by beginning to sell milk, eggs, and bread from the ice dock on Sundays and during evening hours when grocery stores were not open. This idea surged and was the catalyst for the booming industry of c-store retail convenience that we know and love today. As we look back over the last 95 + years, the evolution of merchandise offered in c-stores across the world has transformed in a way that makes convenience stores a staple in everyday life that would be difficult to live without.
Where it Started
As the idea of the C-store grew and developed, convenience entrepreneurs saw the advantages of attaching these stores to service stations. By the late 1960s, the c-store industry introduced the first 24-hour store, catering to the younger population and people working late or early morning hours.
By the end of the 1970s, full–service pumping stations were hard to come by causing more foot traffic from the pump into the stores. When this shift happened, the realization began to emerge that the driving force behind convenience was retail and not necessarily gasoline.
In the 1980s and 90s, the c-store retail options began to grow to offer the perfect place to grab a snack, a beverage, and a tobacco product.
Where we are Now
Guest expectations and changes in lifestyle have enabled the c-store to become something entirely different than when it began. When you walk into a c-store now, you are typically able to find:
- A vast selection of non-alcoholic beverages
- Healthy and crave-worthy snacks for on-the-go
- Ice cream
- Milk, eggs, bread
- Medications
- Housewares (paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, batteries)
- Pet necessities—dog and cat food
- Car maintenance items
- Toys and games for children
- Craft & domestic beer choices & liquor (specific to the law in that state)
- Hot and fresh ready to make food
- Full coffee and espresso bars
- ATMs
- Lottery services
- Tobacco and CBD products
- Souvenirs specific to the c-store location (t-shirts, key chains, hats)
- Technology items—chargers, AUX inputs, headphones
- Entertainment items—books, magazines, newspapers
Where we are Going
According to CSP, the annual U.S. c-store count increased in 2022 for the first time in 4 years. This great news helps support that the future of c-store growth is unlimited in possibility. One thing we have learned over the last 95+ years is that c-stores thrive when they adapt and change to the needs of the everyday consumer. With a current focus on food service and technology, many new innovations and trends are beginning to be seen on the horizon for the future of convenience. Everything from c-store mobile apps with the ability to order items and food for curbside pickup or delivery, to self-checkout kiosks for guests on the move. It is understood that the implementation of this new technology will be a game-changer in the world of convenience in the future.
All of these key factors boil down to the consumer and what convenience means to them. At Quantum Services we specialize in the c-store industry, only counting c-stores. Our inventory auditors work closely with the c-store team to identify what your customers need and want out of your store. With our easy-to-read reporting, c-stores can continue to evolve the retail experience for their customers and make changes based on data. We would love to help you with retail management on an inventory level to help you continue to keep up with the ever-evolving industry of convenience. Reach out today to learn more and see how we can help your store succeed!