The convenience store industry in the US has experienced fluctuations in size in recent years, with approximately 150,000 locations. Despite being one of the largest retail channels, the industry is still working to fully embrace and utilize technology in its operations. Convenience stores sell a majority of transportation fuel and nicotine products, as well as a significant portion of fast food, beer, and packaged beverages. This translates to serving over 160 million consumers daily at roughly 152,000 locations across the country.
At the 2024 Conexxus Annual Conference in Arlington on April 29, Executive Director Gray Taylor emphasized the fragmented nature of the convenience store industry. Despite its size and influence, the industry is considered small compared to other retail sectors, making it vulnerable to larger competitors. Taylor highlighted the need for resilience and unity in the industry in order to assert its collective power and importance in the market. The goal is to show that despite being small individually, together convenience stores are a force to be reckoned with in the retail landscape.