New Study Sites Growth in Convenience Stores Count
February 28th, 2017 by Fiedler Group
NACS Online recently reported the findings of the 2017 NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count, which revealed the U.S. convenience store count increased to a record 154,535 stores as of December 31, 2016 – an increase of 340 stores from the prior year.
Highlights of the reports discoveries included:
- The convenience store industry store count has increased by more than 60% over the last three decades.
- 80% of all convenience stores (123,807) sell motor fuels – a decrease of 567 stores from 2016. According to Bob Swanson, Director of research and statistics for NACS, “This decline could be something to watch: It’s likely that some stores have stopped selling gas for reasons such as the cost of PCI compliance, competition from QSRs, as well as industry consolidation.”
- Convenience stores account for more than one-third of all retail outlets in the U.S.
- Single-store operators continue to dominate the convenience store industry, accounting for more than 40% of the industry’s 2016 store growth and 63% of the nation’s total convenience stores population.
- The report provides a state ranking by total store count which includes the following leaders:
#1 – Texas (15,671) – more than 10% of all stores in the U.S.
#2 – California (11,774)
#3 – Florida (9,920)
#4 – New York (8,570)
#5 – Georgia (6,761)
Rob Hill, Nielsen’s Executive VP of retail services noted “Nielsen data shows that the U.S. convenience store channel continues to be an industry of opportunity. The current consumer climate has created favorable conditions for c-store sales growth, contributing to a positive, long-term outlook”.
To learn more about Fiedler Group’s convenience store experience, please contact us today.
