Convenience Stores Offer More Convenience

Convenience stores offer speed of service to time-starved consumers who want to get in and out of the store quickly. These shoppers recognize this channel of trade for its convenient locations, extended hours of operation, one-stop shopping, grab-and-go foodservice, variety of merchandise and fast transactions. Here's more interesting facts about this dynamic industry: 

• About 80% of convenience stores (120,061 total) sell motor fuels.
• The convenience store industry is a destination for food and refreshments. Foodservice sales are increasingly becoming the most profitable in-store category. 
• Convenience stores are everywhere. There are 152,396 convenience stores in the United States—or one store for about every 2,204 people.
• An average convenience store selling fuel has around 1,100 customers per day, or more than 400,000 per year. The U.S. convenience store industry conducts about 160 million transactions per day.
• Self-serve is a part of most convenience stores' fueling operations. The first self-serve gas station was opened by Hoosier Petroleum Co. in 1930, but was closed by the fire marshal for being a fire hazard. Frank Ulrich reintroduced the idea in 1947 at the corner of Jilson and Atlantic in Los Angeles. Modern self-serve began in 1964 with the introduction of remote fueling; an attendant was no longer required to reset the pumps after each transaction. Today it is available in 48 states. Self-serve is still prohibited in New Jersey and Oregon, as well as in scattered municipalities across the U.S., particularly in Massachusetts.