C-store sales up over the first six months of 2018
Convenience store retailers cited positive revenue growth over the first six months of 2018, with expanded healthy snack and drink options expected to fuel strong summer sales growth, according to a NACS survey.
The latest survey of U.S. convenience store owners by NACS, the trade association that represents the convenience retailing industry, shows that convenience stores sell nearly 80% of the fuel purchased in the United States and conduct an estimated 165 million transaction a day, making the industry a good indicator for trends related to travel and consumer spending.
More than three in four (79%) convenience retailers said in-store sales increased over the first six months of 2018 compared to the same time last year, and more than half (56%) said their fuel sales increased compared to last year. Only 7% of retailers said that in-store sales declined and only 19% said fuels sales declined.
Retailers say a continued focus on fresh and healthy items in stores helped boost sales, and they plan to continue dedicating more sales space to these items.
“Fresh salads and smoothies, along with burgers and fries, seem to be the big winners so far in 2018—the full spectrum of pleasure food vs. healthy options,” said Dennis McCartney at Landhope Farms (Kennett Square, PA).
In addition to in-store offers, retailers say that sales growth will be fuelled by generally low gas prices, warm summer weather and strong consumer confidence.
