U.S. C-Store Landscape Q3 2024

For the second consecutive quarter, dollar sales for CPG products in the convenience channel declined year over year. The Q3 2024 dollar sales decline was driven by year-over-year decreases in unit sales and trips per buyer. Total foodservice traffic for the convenience channel also decreased year over year as c-stores were outperformed by quick-service restaurants (QSR). Multioutlet+ (MULO+) outperformed convenience in many of the top convenience categories. 

Highlights:

• Convenience channel dollar sales declined 2.4% while MULO increased 2.4% year over year.
• Convenience trips per buyer decreased year over year, but dollars per trip increased due to growing price per unit for the channel. 
• C-store shoppers continued to trade down to lower-priced items in many top sales categories, including cigarettes, where single packs outperformed cartons. 
• The convenience channel has the potential to capture a greater share of sales for the growing U.S. Hispanic demographic. 
• Convenience retailers can enhance assortments in treats and specialty beverage categories to contend with the competitive QSR space.