Wednesday February 1, 2012

U.S. C-Store Count Grows

Chicago — The number of convenience stores in the U.S. rose by 1.2 percent in 2011 to a record-setting 148,000, according to recent store counts from NACS and The Nielsen Co.

Since 2001, more than 20,000 c-stores have opened, with some 60 percent being owned by single-store operators, the association says, adding that one-store operations outpaced overall increases in the channel.

“The continued growth in store count shows our industry is vibrant and adding jobs in difficult economic times,” says Tom Robinson, NACS chairman and president of Robinson Oil Corp. “Convenience stores are an essential part of the fabric of everyday life across the country and our core offer of convenience continues to resonate with customers.”

Store counts grew more than double the national average at rates of 3.2 percent in Alaska; 3.3 percent in New Jersey; 2.7 percent in Massachusetts and Oregon; 2.6 percent in New York and 2.9 percent in Washington, DC.