US C-Store Numbers Grow In 2014 Topping 150000

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The convenience store industry is alive and thriving, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores. The 2015 NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count estimates the number of stores increased to 152,794 as of Dec. 31. While many retail formats showed declines, the c-store segment added a 1% growth. This is good news for bulk vending, skill crane and kiddie ride operators who have long found c-stores among their most profitable locations.

Convenience stores now account for 33.9% of all retail outlets in the U.S., significantly higher than other retail channels including drugstores (41,799), supermarket/supercenter (41,529) and dollar stores (26,572).

"Our continued growth, even during a sluggish economy, shows that our core offer of convenience resonates more than ever with our customers, whether they visit us for a fuel fill-up, quick snack or drink, or stop by for fill-in groceries or healthy take-out meals," said NACS chairman Steve Loehr, who is a vice-president at Kwik Trip.

Interestingly, convenience retailing last year continued to be dominated by single-store operators, which account for 63% of all c-stores (96,318 total) and 83.5% of store growth.

The states with the most convenience stores are Texas, with 15,434; California, 11,403; Florida, 9,810; New York, 8,247; Georgia, 6,766; North Carolina, 6,301; Ohio, 5,539; Michigan,, 4,907; Illinois, 4,670; and Pennsylvania, 4,604.

Founded in 1961, NACS is the international association for convenience and fuel retailing, representing 2,100 retail and 1,600 supplier member companies.