Looking for ways to make a convenience store stand out against the competition? Discover the latest convenience store trends to meet modern consumer needs.
To stay competitive and help a c-store succeed, it’s essential to keep up with the latest trends in the convenience store industry, but staying informed can be tough while managing day-to-day operations. Understanding current convenience store trends can help c-store owners quickly pick up on what’s new and adopt the strategies that best suit their business.
Convenience Store Industry Trends
Keeping up with all the c-store industry trends and running a successful business is no simple task. Many stores struggle due to limited capital or intense competition. Understanding convenience store trends can help illuminate the best moves to make for a business. To help, we did the research and compiled a list of the top 10 current trends in the convenience store industry.
EV Charging Stations
According to Experian, there were approximately 4.1 million electric vehicles on the road in 2024, and that number is expected to continue to increase over the next few years. Adding EV charging stations to a convenience store can attract electric vehicle drivers and extend in-store visits while they wait for their vehicle to charge. Average charging times are 15-45 minutes.
Consumers are also more likely to support environmentally conscious businesses, and EV charging stations signal a store’s commitment to sustainability to people passing by. Some areas even have government incentives, such as grants or tax deductions, for installing EV charging stations.
Better Customer Experience
Today’s convenience store customers have high expectations. Whether they’re stopping by for a quick coffee, a late-night snack, or a forgotten household item, they expect fast service and a pleasant in-store environment, no matter the time of day. Since many of these shoppers are choosing c-stores for speed and immediacy rather than necessity, delivering a standout customer experience has become a key differentiator.
To meet these expectations and build customer loyalty, many stores are investing in improvements such as:
- Cleaner environments
- Appealing ambiance
- Helpful staff
- Personalized service
- Technologies like self-checkout to increase convenience and speed
Additional trends, discussed later, also include adding more fresh food options that are attracting additional customers and improving their experience.
Self Checkout
Modern consumers are less patient and want to spend less time shopping than previous generations. Self-checkout stations allow customers to scan, bag, and pay without needing a cashier, which reduces wait times and enhances efficiency in high-traffic stores.
Digital payments and cashier-free options are becoming expected in the modern retail experience, so having at least one self-checkout station can help your store stay competitive. They can also reduce labor costs, bringing down overall operating costs because there aren’t as many cashiers to pay.
Self-checkout evokes a grocery store experience. Paired with fresh food options, this can satisfy the shopping trip that consumers are looking for when they go to a convenience store these days. Self-checkout stations also tend to be smaller than traditional cashier stations, freeing up more space for new merchandise and displays. However, some customers still value a human touch when they are checking out, so it’s best to keep at least one cashier checkout station.
As self-checkout grows in popularity, ensure your convenience store is equipped with security solutions that reduce theft and protect profits.
Sustainable Packaging
The trend to go green is affecting all types of industries, including convenience stores. In c-stores, the focus is on eco-friendly, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging. This is especially important as there is an increased demand for prepared foods, and consumers are more likely to purchase foods in sustainable packaging than those that are not.
As a c-store owner/operator, try to avoid plastics whenever possible. When plastics are unavoidable, like with shopping bags, look for biodegradable plastics. Some c-stores promote a reusable container incentive, like 7-Eleven’s “bring your own cup day.”
While switching packaging may cost more initially, sustainability can save money in the long run. If customers are regularly bringing their own cups and shopping bags, cups and bags need to be purchased less often. Some places have stopped providing bags unless customers specifically request them. Also, products in sustainable packaging tend to be more popular. Shorr’s 2025 Sustainable Packaging Consumer Report found that 90% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands with sustainable packaging, and 43% are willing to pay extra for a product with sustainable packaging.
Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs drive repeat business and deeper customer engagement. A 2024 study of convenience stores by the American Customer Satisfaction Index found that customers who participated in loyalty programs visited the convenience store more frequently than those who did not, and they were generally more satisfied with their overall experience at the store. In fact, the most popular loyalty programs are with convenience stores, making it one of the most powerful c-store trends.
Stamp cards can still be a useful part of loyalty programs, but now the best loyalty programs are digital. Examples include:
- Points systems
- App-based rewards
- Personalized promotions
New Technology
Convenience stores can benefit from the shift to online shopping by investing in a mobile app or partnering with existing delivery service apps, such as DoorDash or Instacart. You can even pay to promote your store to shoppers within these apps. Other technologies like AI inventory systems and smart shelf tech in convenience retail can reduce labor costs and improve efficiency while minimizing the risk of theft or loss.
These tools streamline operations and improve cash management and staffing. However, integration needs to be thought about when incorporating multiple technologies into your business. Consider an all-in-one cash management solution to effectively automate multiple cash handling tasks, such as reconciliation and change orders.
AI can be used to automate a significant portion of customer service work through the use of a chatbot, but be cautious about automating too much. According to Zendesk, 49% of consumers in 2025 still prefer interacting with humans over bots when they want immediate service.
ICL’s CashSimple® solution utilizes a smart safe, where it buys your cash as soon as it is deposited and transfers it directly into the bank account of the c-store’s choice. Schedule a demo today!
Increase In Beverage Sales
Young adults are drinking less alcohol than previous generations, so non-alcoholic beverages are growing in popularity. This includes ready-to-drink beverages, functional drinks, and specialty coffee. In particular, there has been a huge increase in the market for energy drinks and sports drinks. Convenience stores may need to continue to shift their in-store beverage selection based on what drinks are trendy and their profit margins.
In addition to energy drinks, canned coffees, both with and without cream and sugar, are also growing in popularity. Make sure to carry ones with different types of milks, including plant-based milks, to cater to the environmentally conscious customer. Because non-alcoholic drinks are so popular, they should be incorporated into customer loyalty programs, such as offering “happy hour” discounts or free beverages after a certain amount is spent at the store.
Fresh Food
The increased demand for healthy foods is driving this c-store industry trend. Convenience stores are expanding their fresh food offerings to compete with fast-casual dining. Consumers want healthier, grab-and-go meal options like pre-packaged salads and wraps. Consider including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options to reach a larger consumer base.
Food ideas for your convenience store
- Fresh fruit and vegetables: Bananas, apples, carrot sticks, etc.
- Pantry staples: Beans, pasta, cooking oil, etc.
- Protein-packed snacks: Clif bars, beef jerky, nuts, etc.
The way fresh food is displayed matters as well. Make sure produce is kept on clean, refrigerated shelves in a fashion that looks appealing to customers. Inspect it regularly and remove any items that appear outdated to maintain consistent quality. Aging produce will deter potential purchasers.
More Private Labels
As the convenience store industry trends toward offering more food and beverage options, stores are creating more store-brand products. You see this most often at big convenience store chains like 7-Eleven and Love’s, but smaller stores can also create private labels. When done well, including more store-brand products can boost margins and brand loyalty. Because c-stores would be more in control of branding, packaging, and pricing for private label products, they are often cheaper to produce than purchasing name-brand products.
Private labels allow stores to offer unique, cost-effective alternatives to the same old products they see everywhere. This can help build a store’s brand and a loyal customer base. It’s not too late to invest in creating private label products. The sale of private label store brands (including convenience stores) increased 23.6% from 2021 to 2024, and the demand is expected to continue.
More Food, Less Cigarettes
Tobacco has historically been the most commonly purchased item in convenience stores, but tobacco sales are declining with the shift toward more sales of fresh food, snacks, and beverages. In 2021, cigarettes and other tobacco products, such as vapes and chew, accounted for 38% of total inside c-store sales. By 2024, they only accounted for 34% of inside sales.
While vapes and smokeless options are becoming more popular, overall tobacco sales are still down. This is another example of health concerns affecting convenience store trends.
See How ICL’s CashSimple® Cash Management Solution Works For C-Stores
Convenience store industry trends help businesses grow and sustain customer loyalty. Whether it’s upgrading point of sale (POS) systems, stocking more fresh grab-and-go foods, or installing EV charging stations, following the latest c-store trends is a good way to ensure a c-store thrives. And while updating any part of a convenience store, consider updating its cash management strategies. Effective cash management can save money and time, freeing managers up to focus on other tasks.
ICL’s CashSimple® is a modern cash management solution designed to improve cash security and control without provisional credit. It automates key processes like change orders, cash pickups, and report generation and reduces operational risk for multi-location businesses. Schedule a demo today to learn how our cash management solutions for convenience stores can help owners and operators keep up with the latest c-store trends and optimize their business operations even across multiple locations.
