Convenience stores, which first started out as providers of daily basics like milk, bread and eggs from local farms and dairies, have now grown with large storefronts, storing a host of fresh and canned products. The gradual growth of small convenience stores into larger formats was due to consumers who drove over in cars and preferred buying several things in one go. Besides storing ready-to-eat food items like ice creams, bakery goods, cheese and butter, convenience stores also have regular groceries, fresh vegetables and fruits. Stores that began as small outlets have now grown into chain stores with branches across the nation.
Some convenience store chains have tie-ups with well-known oil companies and gas stations like Chevron, British Petroleum and ExxonMobil. The C store chains coexist with these companies on busy highways or lonely deserts to provide travelers with gasoline and useful products like bottled water, snacks and batteries too. With the prolonged economic crisis, some of these C store chains are adopting new retail formats and going through acquisitions to improve business and financial health. The elaborate network of convenience stores in the United States comprises of more than 150,000 stores which generate a revenue of around $700 million every year and employ several thousand people.
List of convenience stores ranking from one to fifteen in the United States
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Seven Eleven – This has remained the topmost convenience store in the United States since 2012. Till date Seven Eleven has 59595 units spread across 7760 locations with a growth rate of 100 stores every year. Besides growing its network in metropolitan areas, Seven Eleven is also in the process of acquiring new stores. To expand its convenience store chain, Seven Eleven has recently bought 163 stores from Tetco Inc. in Utah and Texas, followed by 143 stores of C.L. Thomas Inc., both of which were among the top 100 C store chains in 2013.
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Shell Oil Products – Shell was among the earliest big oil companies to start convenience store chains next to their gas stations, which gained popularity over a period of time and was adopted by other oil firms like Chevron and ExxonMobil. Ranked as No.2 among convenience stores within US, it has presence in 4950 locations and will open around 16 new ones this year.
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BP North America – Even with the retraction of AMPM brand of BP from East Coast region and franchising it to Tesoro Corp in South west region, the oil major still retains 4504 stores and ranks third among list of convenience stores in United States. Though it closed down 187 stores in the past couple of years, it has managed to run a healthy business.
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Chevron Corp – This California-based oil major has 3985 stores across the United States which provide turnover of $ 10,789,792 in 2013. The group owns Texaco stores across West Coast and Mid-West and has suffered a dip in its fortunes due to closure of 72 stores.
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Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.- It is regarded as the largest convenience store chains in the world with 13000 stores across North America, Europe and South East Asia. Within United States the store chain has 3701 stores with earnings of $13,903,188 during 2013.
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ExxonMobil Corp – It has retained the position since 2012 with current ownership of 3421 stores though it has closed down 25 stores since last year.
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Energy Transfer Partners LP – Previously referred to as Sunoco Inc, this convenience store chain was at number eight last year and has moved up the value chain with addition of 13 new stores to its chain. It owns stores under the names of A Plus, Coastal and Optima and earned turnover of $ 6966,700 last year.
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Casey’s General Stores – During 2012, this convenience store group was at number 11 and with addition of 42 new stores its total count has gone up to 1735 stores in 2014.
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CITGO Petroleum Corp – This Texas based Oil Company owns 1668 stores named under CITGO in its C store chains which have helped it earn $ 3,512,236 last year.
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The Pantry Inc – This popular convenience store chain owns popular store brands like Kangaroo Express, Presto and Petro Express which together account for 1568 stores.
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Speedway LLC 2 – The Ohio based Seedway has 1463 stores which are named after the brand and its last year’s turnover was at $5171637. This chain has fallen from last year’s 7th ranking to 11th position.
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Phillips 66 – Operator of the famous Conoco Phillips C store chains along with 76 and Phillips66. It has 1255 stores and annual turnover of $ 3,033,160.
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Hess Corp – This C store chain, based in Woodbridge New Jersey, follows a similar store format as big oil companies, and owns 1138 stores within the United States. Its total turnover in 2013 was at $4,870,640 and it operates stores under Wilco Food Mart, Hess Express, Wilco Travel Plaza and Hess brands.
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Getty Realty Corp – This Jericho-based real estate firm owns and leases convenience store chains of Getty, Kwik Farms and Lukoil to sell a mixed array of products. The group owns 1040 stores across United States with annual turnover of $ 2393721 last year.
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CST Brands Inc. – This San Antonio-based firm owns Corner Store range of C store chain has sales points in Canada and US with revenues of $12.8 billion in 2013. It is a listed company which employs 12000 people across its stores.
If you are looking for a full list of all the convenience and grocery store chains in the U.S. please visit www.cstoredirectory.com.
The growth of convenience stores has largely been aided by the increase of new housing colonies and demand for both fresh and prepared food. With the availability of these chain stores across the nation, most customers will drive past a competitor’s store if they know that their favorite one is in the vicinity. A recent survey has stated that nearly 80 percent of customers will buy from their preferred convenience store chain even if a competitor offers the same product at a discount. Among fast growing C store chains in current market are QuickTrip, Tulsa and WaWa all of which are extremely popular among shoppers across a wide demographic level.
