2. The Ruler of Retail
According to The Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing (NACS), revenues for the industry totaled $696.1 billion, with in-store sales of $213.5 billion setting an all-time record, increasing 4.7%, compared to 2013.
The total number of US convenience stores as of December 31, 2014 was 152,794, a 1% increase, or 1,512 new stores, and represented 33.9% of all US retail outlets, which was more than drug stores, supermarkets/supercenters and dollar stores.
With 2014 gasoline prices 3.9% lower than 2013, total fuel sales at convenience stores decreased 1.8%, but the industry sold more gallons of gasoline.

3. 2015, A Good-News Year
Total convenience stores industry revenues decreased 18.7% during the first half of 2015, compared to the first six months of 2014, primarily because of the plunge in retail fuel prices at the pump.
Motor fuel revenues decreased 28.1% during the first half of 2015, but convenience stores sold 2.8% more fuel, which increased foot traffic into stores, resulting in a 3.5% increase in merchandise and foodservice sales.
Having the largest share of in-store sales, total cigarette sales increased 2.3% during the first half of Foodservice revenues increased 5.2% for the same period, with the prepared-food category registering the largest increase at 6.8%.

4. Primed to Perform
Having experienced good to excellent growth during the first three quarters of 2015, 79% of convenience storeowners were optimistic about their Q business, according to a NACS survey. By comparison, 86% were optimistic during Q
Most storeowners were also optimistic about the general economy during Q , at 57%, although it was 61% during Q
Of all the storeowners polled, 67% said foodservice revenues increased during the first nine months of 2015, and they attributed that increase to lower fuel prices and more robust marketing and merchandising efforts.

5. Convenience Store Shopping Study
According to the Convenience Store and Fuel News/Technomic Consumer Report, 36% of convenience store shoppers were Baby Boomers, with 29% Millennials, 17% Generation X and 9% Matures.
Of all consumers surveyed, 23% said they visited a convenience store 2 to 3 times per week and 20%, once a week, with 46% visiting a convenience store during the afternoon, 12–5 p.m., and 43% from 6 a.m. to noon.
Slightly more than half (51%) of consumers said they would probably visit their favorite convenience store if it were remodeled into a larger format.

6. Enjoying Food and Beverage Choices
The Convenience Store and Fuel News/Technomic 2015 Consumer Report also found that 55% of consumers were more likely to purchase prepared foods more often if stores provided more affordable options.
According to a 2014 Technomic study, 64% of consumers preferred to purchase a made-to-order sandwich at lunch in a convenience store, with a deli-style sandwich the top option at 76%; followed by chicken breast, 63%, and a sub, 60%.
Among the convenience store beverage selections, alcoholic cider had the largest sales increase, at 123.4%, with craft beer, +26.6% and import beer, %. Domestic sub-premium beer declined 3.0%.

7. The Fuel Still Flows
Despite a $1.06-per-gallon decrease in the average price of all fuel sold at convenience stores from the first half of to the first half of 2015, total volume increased 3.1% during the first six months of 2015.
This resulted in a 10.2% increase in fuel profit margin, or a total of $7.3 billion. Convenience stores also experienced a 7% increase in motor fuel profits per gallon, or one penny per gallon, totaling 20 cents per gallon.
Lower retail fuel prices have led to more consumers driving more miles, so total gallons sold per transaction increased for 52% of all convenience storeowners, with 25% saying it remained the same and only 22.5% saying it decreased.

8. Advertising Strategies
Although the warm months are when convenience stores generate peak revenues, they can use TV advertising effectively to maximize revenues for New Year’s Eve, Q major college and pro football games and last-minute Valentine’s Day shopping.
With Baby Boomers the largest group of convenience store shoppers and the largest percentage of TV viewers, convenience stores’ TV advertising campaigns can promote themselves as essential to Baby Boomers’ many retirement activities.
With early-morning flights of TV spots, convenience stores can maximize foot traffic for breakfast and lunch items and emphasize “good-for-you” foods and beverages that will appeal to the health-conscious consumers who may not be regular shoppers.

9. Social Media Strategies
Convenience stores have many opportunities to use videos in their social media, including videos of how they keep stores clean and welcoming and introduction/overview of new amenities, such as self-service checkout, touch-screen ordering and Wi-Fi access.
Use social media to announce daily foodservice and beverage specials, with dietary information to help consumers discover healthy eating options. Specials can be combined with videos of consumers showing everyone their favorite sandwich.
Ask shoppers to share photos and videos of the activities in which they participated before or after visiting the convenience store, with short messages or audio of how what they bought at the store enhanced the fun and enjoyment of their activities.