The C in C-Stores Also Means Consolidation Street Fight

The C in C-Stores Also Means Consolidation

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C-stores (convenience stores) are huge within the MULO (multi-location) ecosystem.

They include mega roadside complexes that have showers, EV chargers, food options, and (of course) restrooms. The size of these C-stores has expanded, and the brands now have bragging rights as they offer new services and bigger footprints. Check out this recent article.

Corner delis are also part of the C-store universe and continue to fulfill the needs of locals within big cities and small towns.

Seeing an opportunity to serve consumers’ needs and generate larger revenue streams, big brands and holding companies are gobbling up smaller brands, C-stores owned by gas companies, and regional players as quickly as you can down a C-store hot dog.

According to C-Store Dive (the industry trade media) in 2024 alone:

  • 7-Eleven bought more than 200 Stripes stores from Sunoco.
  • H&S Energy purchased fuel and convenience retail businesses from Andretti Petroleum Group
  • Shell acquired the retail arm of Brewer Oil Company

For a full list of mergers and acquisitions, see this list.

The C-store business has become more complex and multi-faceted, and bigger companies may be in a strong position to operate and evolve other brands, especially as the scope of products and services grows with consumer needs. For example:

  • Fueling vehicles now involves a mix of gas and EV charging
  • People are buying way more than cigarettes and gum at C-stores and expect to see a wide range of options (including healthy choices)
  • Travelers (both consumer and commercial) may be looking for places to unwind, sit and dine with family and friends, and freshen up before they hit the road again
  • Strategic alliances with familiar food brands have created mini-food courts within many complexes, enabling travelers to find their favorite burgers and coffee and removing some of the operational cost and headaches from the company that owns and operates the larger facility
  • Technology has changed many aspects of the C-store business, and the labor shortage/cost means C-stores will need to look to self-serve solutions for food prep and check-out
  • Marketing (driven by smartphone searches) is key to driving (pun intended) buyers to locations and rewarding them for frequent stops. Some frequent shoppers are so loyal they will even buy C-store branded merch to show their affinity. The 7 Collection is a great example of this.

In many ways, this is a throwback to the old model of lodging, gas, and food at the roadside truckstop — but with a high-tech glow-up.

For more about how MULO businesses are evolving, join us at Street Fight LIVE on November 7th. And, if you drive there, be sure to check out some of the new-age C-stores along the way!

 

 

 

 

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Nancy A Shenker, Chief Trend Officer with Street Fight, is a former big brand (Citibank, Mastercard, Reed Exhibitions) marketing strategist and leader. She has been featured in Inc.com, the New York Times and Forbes.