GITNUXREPORT 2026

Gas Station Convenience Store Industry Statistics

Fuel sales dominate but in-store convenience goods drive profits and steady growth.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

65% of convenience store customers are repeat daily visitors.

Statistic 2

Impulse purchases account for 62% of all in-store transactions at c-stores.

Statistic 3

78% of c-store shoppers buy beverages during visits.

Statistic 4

Average transaction value inside c-stores was $4.21 in 2023.

Statistic 5

42% of customers purchase foodservice items weekly at c-stores.

Statistic 6

Millennial shoppers represent 35% of c-store traffic.

Statistic 7

55% of fuel purchases are made with in-store buys combined.

Statistic 8

Female customers make up 48% of c-store visits in urban areas.

Statistic 9

71% of customers cite location convenience as primary reason for choice.

Statistic 10

Average dwell time in c-stores is 4.2 minutes per visit.

Statistic 11

29% of sales come from evening hours (6pm-10pm).

Statistic 12

Loyalty program members spend 18% more per visit.

Statistic 13

52% of Gen Z prefer c-stores for quick meals/snacks.

Statistic 14

Mobile app usage for payments grew to 22% of transactions in 2023.

Statistic 15

67% of truckers rely on c-stores for daily needs.

Statistic 16

Average basket size for foodservice is 1.8 items.

Statistic 17

44% of customers buy tobacco products on impulse.

Statistic 18

Weekend sales peak at 28% higher than weekdays.

Statistic 19

61% prefer self-checkout for faster service.

Statistic 20

Hispanic consumers represent 24% of c-store shoppers.

Statistic 21

73% of visits are under 5 minutes total time.

Statistic 22

Energy drinks are top impulse buy for 39% of males 18-34.

Statistic 23

56% of customers use credit cards for purchases over $10.

Statistic 24

Breakfast foodservice peaks at 32% of daily food sales.

Statistic 25

49% cite price as top factor in product choice.

Statistic 26

Online ordering pickup usage at 12% of urban c-stores.

Statistic 27

Average annual visits per customer: 85 times.

Statistic 28

38% buy lottery on every visit.

Statistic 29

Total U.S. c-store employees: 1.9 million in 2023.

Statistic 30

Average hourly wage for c-store clerks: $13.45 in 2023.

Statistic 31

52% of workforce is part-time employees.

Statistic 32

Turnover rate averages 112% annually industry-wide.

Statistic 33

Managers earn average $52,300 annually.

Statistic 34

28% of employees are aged 16-20.

Statistic 35

Female employees comprise 45% of total staff.

Statistic 36

Training hours per new hire average 20 hours.

Statistic 37

Overtime hours represent 4% of total labor hours.

Statistic 38

67% offer health insurance to full-time staff.

Statistic 39

Average tenure for managers: 4.2 years.

Statistic 40

Hispanic workers: 32% of c-store workforce.

Statistic 41

Shift supervisor wage: $15.80 per hour average.

Statistic 42

41% use staffing agencies for peak seasons.

Statistic 43

Unionized stores: less than 5% of total.

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Night shift positions filled 92% of scheduled hours.

Statistic 45

Average benefits cost per employee: $4,200 yearly.

Statistic 46

55% of stores cross-train staff for fuel/foodservice.

Statistic 47

Remote monitoring reduces on-site staff by 15%.

Statistic 48

Gen Z hires increased 18% in 2023.

Statistic 49

Injury rate: 3.2 per 100 workers annually.

Statistic 50

Overtime pay averages 1.5 times base rate.

Statistic 51

62% provide paid time off to eligible staff.

Statistic 52

Contractor usage for maintenance: 24% of stores.

Statistic 53

Average recruitment cost per hire: $1,200.

Statistic 54

76% turnover attributed to scheduling issues.

Statistic 55

EV transition expected to create 50,000 new jobs by 2030.

Statistic 56

In 2023, the U.S. convenience store industry generated total in-store sales of $301.3 billion, marking a 2.3% increase from 2022.

Statistic 57

Fuel sales at U.S. convenience stores reached $253.8 billion in 2023, accounting for 53.7% of total industry revenue.

Statistic 58

Average gross margin for inside sales at convenience stores was 37.4% in 2023.

Statistic 59

Total U.S. convenience store industry revenue hit $722.5 billion in 2023.

Statistic 60

Packaged beverages accounted for 26.8% of in-store gross margin dollars in 2023.

Statistic 61

Cigarette sales contributed 22.1% to total in-store sales in 2023.

Statistic 62

Average annual sales per U.S. convenience store were $5.2 million in 2023.

Statistic 63

Foodservice sales grew by 5.8% year-over-year in 2023 at convenience stores.

Statistic 64

The top 10 convenience store chains controlled 28.4% of total industry sales in 2023.

Statistic 65

Average fuel margin per gallon was 19.7 cents at U.S. convenience stores in 2023.

Statistic 66

Prepared food sales represented 18.3% of in-store sales in 2023.

Statistic 67

Total number of U.S. convenience stores stood at 148,012 in 2023.

Statistic 68

Candy category generated $12.4 billion in sales, or 5.2% of in-store total in 2023.

Statistic 69

Average store size for convenience stores increased to 3,206 square feet in 2023.

Statistic 70

Alternative fuels (E85, electric) accounted for 1.2% of total fuel volume in 2023.

Statistic 71

Snacks/salty snacks sales hit $18.7 billion, 7.8% of in-store sales in 2023.

Statistic 72

Beer sales volume grew 1.4% in 2023 at convenience stores.

Statistic 73

Gross profit from foodservice reached $28.5 billion industry-wide in 2023.

Statistic 74

Lottery sales contributed $38.2 billion, or 16% of in-store sales in 2023.

Statistic 75

Average inside sales per store per month were $433,000 in 2023.

Statistic 76

Fuel gallons sold totaled 75.6 billion at convenience stores in 2023.

Statistic 77

Health and beauty care sales increased 4.2% to $9.1 billion in 2023.

Statistic 78

Top 202 chains had combined sales of $204 billion in 2023.

Statistic 79

Average operating expense per store was $2.8 million in 2023.

Statistic 80

Wine sales grew 3.1% in volume at c-stores in 2023.

Statistic 81

Total industry net profit margin averaged 2.4% in 2023.

Statistic 82

Energy drinks sales surged 6.7% to $8.3 billion in 2023.

Statistic 83

Average fuel sales per store were $2.4 million annually in 2023.

Statistic 84

Tobacco products (non-cigarette) sales reached $15.6 billion in 2023.

Statistic 85

Overall industry sales growth was 3.1% in 2023 excluding fuel.

Statistic 86

Average inventory turnover rate for c-stores is 45 times per year.

Statistic 87

72% of c-stores operate 24/7.

Statistic 88

Average number of SKUs per c-store: 4,500.

Statistic 89

Fuel dispenser count averages 8 per location.

Statistic 90

Shrinkage rate averages 1.2% of sales due to theft/inventory loss.

Statistic 91

85% of c-stores use POS systems integrated with inventory.

Statistic 92

Average cooler space: 1,200 cubic feet per store.

Statistic 93

Labor costs represent 28% of total operating expenses.

Statistic 94

63% of stores have foodservice preparation areas.

Statistic 95

Inventory days on hand average 8.1 days.

Statistic 96

Number of EV charging stations at c-stores: 12,500 in 2023.

Statistic 97

Average store electricity usage: 45,000 kWh annually.

Statistic 98

41% use automated reordering for high-turnover items.

Statistic 99

Waste diversion rate averages 35% through recycling.

Statistic 100

Average number of employees per shift: 2.3.

Statistic 101

Fuel storage tank capacity averages 200,000 gallons per site.

Statistic 102

76% have security cameras covering 90% of store area.

Statistic 103

Hot beverage machines in 92% of locations.

Statistic 104

Average planogram update frequency: quarterly.

Statistic 105

Diesel sales volume: 12.4 billion gallons annually.

Statistic 106

55% integrate loyalty data with inventory systems.

Statistic 107

Average shelf life monitoring for perishables: 48 hours.

Statistic 108

Number of fountain drink heads averages 10 per store.

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Vendor-managed inventory used by 34% for beverages.

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Average truck delivery frequency: 3 times weekly.

Statistic 111

CO2 emissions per store average 250 metric tons yearly.

Statistic 112

68% have ATM machines on site.

Statistic 113

Average age of fuel pumps: 12 years.

Statistic 114

Foodservice sales projected to grow 4.5% annually through 2028.

Statistic 115

EV charging demand at c-stores to rise 25% yearly to 2030.

Statistic 116

Cashless society shift: cash usage to drop to 15% by 2028.

Statistic 117

Total industry sales forecasted at $850 billion by 2028.

Statistic 118

Smokeless tobacco market to grow 3.2% CAGR to 2027.

Statistic 119

Plant-based food options to double by 2026 in c-stores.

Statistic 120

Autonomous stores piloted in 5% of chains by 2025.

Statistic 121

Fuel volume decline projected at 1.5% annually to 2030.

Statistic 122

Delivery services adoption to reach 40% by 2027.

Statistic 123

Healthy snacks segment to grow 7.1% CAGR.

Statistic 124

AI inventory prediction in 30% of stores by 2026.

Statistic 125

C-store count to stabilize at 145,000 by 2028.

Statistic 126

Non-fuel sales to comprise 65% of revenue by 2030.

Statistic 127

Micro-fulfillment centers in 15% of large chains by 2027.

Statistic 128

Cannabis sales legal in 20 states to boost c-stores 12%.

Statistic 129

Sustainability initiatives in 88% of chains by 2025.

Statistic 130

Contactless payments to hit 75% of transactions by 2026.

Statistic 131

Fresh produce sales up 9% annually through 2028.

Statistic 132

Ghost kitchens partnership in 25% of foodservice by 2027.

Statistic 133

Data analytics spend to increase 22% yearly.

Statistic 134

Rural c-stores to gain 10% market share growth.

Statistic 135

Personalized marketing ROI projected at 5:1 by 2026.

Statistic 136

Hydrogen fueling stations at 1,000 c-stores by 2030.

Statistic 137

Omnichannel integration in 60% by 2028.

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While convenience stores are masters of the quick stop, the sheer scale of this $722.5 billion industry, where average annual sales hit $5.2 million per location, reveals a complex economic powerhouse fueled by much more than just gas.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, the U.S. convenience store industry generated total in-store sales of $301.3 billion, marking a 2.3% increase from 2022.
Fuel sales at U.S. convenience stores reached $253.8 billion in 2023, accounting for 53.7% of total industry revenue.
Average gross margin for inside sales at convenience stores was 37.4% in 2023.
65% of convenience store customers are repeat daily visitors.
Impulse purchases account for 62% of all in-store transactions at c-stores.
78% of c-store shoppers buy beverages during visits.
Average inventory turnover rate for c-stores is 45 times per year.
72% of c-stores operate 24/7.
Average number of SKUs per c-store: 4,500.
Total U.S. c-store employees: 1.9 million in 2023.
Average hourly wage for c-store clerks: $13.45 in 2023.
52% of workforce is part-time employees.
Foodservice sales projected to grow 4.5% annually through 2028.
EV charging demand at c-stores to rise 25% yearly to 2030.
Cashless society shift: cash usage to drop to 15% by 2028.

Fuel sales dominate but in-store convenience goods drive profits and steady growth.

Consumer Behavior and Sales

65% of convenience store customers are repeat daily visitors.
Impulse purchases account for 62% of all in-store transactions at c-stores.
78% of c-store shoppers buy beverages during visits.
Average transaction value inside c-stores was $4.21 in 2023.
42% of customers purchase foodservice items weekly at c-stores.
Millennial shoppers represent 35% of c-store traffic.
55% of fuel purchases are made with in-store buys combined.
Female customers make up 48% of c-store visits in urban areas.
71% of customers cite location convenience as primary reason for choice.
Average dwell time in c-stores is 4.2 minutes per visit.
29% of sales come from evening hours (6pm-10pm).
Loyalty program members spend 18% more per visit.
52% of Gen Z prefer c-stores for quick meals/snacks.
Mobile app usage for payments grew to 22% of transactions in 2023.
67% of truckers rely on c-stores for daily needs.
Average basket size for foodservice is 1.8 items.
44% of customers buy tobacco products on impulse.
Weekend sales peak at 28% higher than weekdays.
61% prefer self-checkout for faster service.
Hispanic consumers represent 24% of c-store shoppers.
73% of visits are under 5 minutes total time.
Energy drinks are top impulse buy for 39% of males 18-34.
56% of customers use credit cards for purchases over $10.
Breakfast foodservice peaks at 32% of daily food sales.
49% cite price as top factor in product choice.
Online ordering pickup usage at 12% of urban c-stores.
Average annual visits per customer: 85 times.
38% buy lottery on every visit.

Consumer Behavior and Sales Interpretation

The modern c-store is a meticulously engineered vortex of habit, where loyal daily patrons are deftly parted from their dollars in under five minutes through a potent cocktail of strategic impulse buys, caffeinated enticements, and the sheer gravitational pull of convenient location.

Employment and Workforce

Total U.S. c-store employees: 1.9 million in 2023.
Average hourly wage for c-store clerks: $13.45 in 2023.
52% of workforce is part-time employees.
Turnover rate averages 112% annually industry-wide.
Managers earn average $52,300 annually.
28% of employees are aged 16-20.
Female employees comprise 45% of total staff.
Training hours per new hire average 20 hours.
Overtime hours represent 4% of total labor hours.
67% offer health insurance to full-time staff.
Average tenure for managers: 4.2 years.
Hispanic workers: 32% of c-store workforce.
Shift supervisor wage: $15.80 per hour average.
41% use staffing agencies for peak seasons.
Unionized stores: less than 5% of total.
Night shift positions filled 92% of scheduled hours.
Average benefits cost per employee: $4,200 yearly.
55% of stores cross-train staff for fuel/foodservice.
Remote monitoring reduces on-site staff by 15%.
Gen Z hires increased 18% in 2023.
Injury rate: 3.2 per 100 workers annually.
Overtime pay averages 1.5 times base rate.
62% provide paid time off to eligible staff.
Contractor usage for maintenance: 24% of stores.
Average recruitment cost per hire: $1,200.
76% turnover attributed to scheduling issues.
EV transition expected to create 50,000 new jobs by 2030.

Employment and Workforce Interpretation

The industry runs on a paradox of high-octane churn, where a young, part-time army endures near-constant turnover for modest wages, all while fueling America's convenience one surprisingly resilient manager at a time.

Financial Performance

In 2023, the U.S. convenience store industry generated total in-store sales of $301.3 billion, marking a 2.3% increase from 2022.
Fuel sales at U.S. convenience stores reached $253.8 billion in 2023, accounting for 53.7% of total industry revenue.
Average gross margin for inside sales at convenience stores was 37.4% in 2023.
Total U.S. convenience store industry revenue hit $722.5 billion in 2023.
Packaged beverages accounted for 26.8% of in-store gross margin dollars in 2023.
Cigarette sales contributed 22.1% to total in-store sales in 2023.
Average annual sales per U.S. convenience store were $5.2 million in 2023.
Foodservice sales grew by 5.8% year-over-year in 2023 at convenience stores.
The top 10 convenience store chains controlled 28.4% of total industry sales in 2023.
Average fuel margin per gallon was 19.7 cents at U.S. convenience stores in 2023.
Prepared food sales represented 18.3% of in-store sales in 2023.
Total number of U.S. convenience stores stood at 148,012 in 2023.
Candy category generated $12.4 billion in sales, or 5.2% of in-store total in 2023.
Average store size for convenience stores increased to 3,206 square feet in 2023.
Alternative fuels (E85, electric) accounted for 1.2% of total fuel volume in 2023.
Snacks/salty snacks sales hit $18.7 billion, 7.8% of in-store sales in 2023.
Beer sales volume grew 1.4% in 2023 at convenience stores.
Gross profit from foodservice reached $28.5 billion industry-wide in 2023.
Lottery sales contributed $38.2 billion, or 16% of in-store sales in 2023.
Average inside sales per store per month were $433,000 in 2023.
Fuel gallons sold totaled 75.6 billion at convenience stores in 2023.
Health and beauty care sales increased 4.2% to $9.1 billion in 2023.
Top 202 chains had combined sales of $204 billion in 2023.
Average operating expense per store was $2.8 million in 2023.
Wine sales grew 3.1% in volume at c-stores in 2023.
Total industry net profit margin averaged 2.4% in 2023.
Energy drinks sales surged 6.7% to $8.3 billion in 2023.
Average fuel sales per store were $2.4 million annually in 2023.
Tobacco products (non-cigarette) sales reached $15.6 billion in 2023.
Overall industry sales growth was 3.1% in 2023 excluding fuel.

Financial Performance Interpretation

While the industry may be fueled by gasoline, its profit engine clearly runs on soda, snacks, and the reliable vices of nicotine and impulse, with stores expanding in size but scraping by on a net margin thinner than the plastic on a lottery ticket.

Operational and Inventory Stats

Average inventory turnover rate for c-stores is 45 times per year.
72% of c-stores operate 24/7.
Average number of SKUs per c-store: 4,500.
Fuel dispenser count averages 8 per location.
Shrinkage rate averages 1.2% of sales due to theft/inventory loss.
85% of c-stores use POS systems integrated with inventory.
Average cooler space: 1,200 cubic feet per store.
Labor costs represent 28% of total operating expenses.
63% of stores have foodservice preparation areas.
Inventory days on hand average 8.1 days.
Number of EV charging stations at c-stores: 12,500 in 2023.
Average store electricity usage: 45,000 kWh annually.
41% use automated reordering for high-turnover items.
Waste diversion rate averages 35% through recycling.
Average number of employees per shift: 2.3.
Fuel storage tank capacity averages 200,000 gallons per site.
76% have security cameras covering 90% of store area.
Hot beverage machines in 92% of locations.
Average planogram update frequency: quarterly.
Diesel sales volume: 12.4 billion gallons annually.
55% integrate loyalty data with inventory systems.
Average shelf life monitoring for perishables: 48 hours.
Number of fountain drink heads averages 10 per store.
Vendor-managed inventory used by 34% for beverages.
Average truck delivery frequency: 3 times weekly.
CO2 emissions per store average 250 metric tons yearly.
68% have ATM machines on site.
Average age of fuel pumps: 12 years.

Operational and Inventory Stats Interpretation

The lifeblood of the gas station convenience store industry is an impossibly agile dance of turning over its entire inventory every eight days—while two slightly overworked people watch from the counter, fueled by coffee and quarterly planograms, as thousands of gallons of fuel and refrigerated drinks flow through a system kept upright by a balance of integrated tech, 24/7 operation, and a hopeful but vigilant eye on that 1.2% that simply walks out the door.

Trends and Future Projections

Foodservice sales projected to grow 4.5% annually through 2028.
EV charging demand at c-stores to rise 25% yearly to 2030.
Cashless society shift: cash usage to drop to 15% by 2028.
Total industry sales forecasted at $850 billion by 2028.
Smokeless tobacco market to grow 3.2% CAGR to 2027.
Plant-based food options to double by 2026 in c-stores.
Autonomous stores piloted in 5% of chains by 2025.
Fuel volume decline projected at 1.5% annually to 2030.
Delivery services adoption to reach 40% by 2027.
Healthy snacks segment to grow 7.1% CAGR.
AI inventory prediction in 30% of stores by 2026.
C-store count to stabilize at 145,000 by 2028.
Non-fuel sales to comprise 65% of revenue by 2030.
Micro-fulfillment centers in 15% of large chains by 2027.
Cannabis sales legal in 20 states to boost c-stores 12%.
Sustainability initiatives in 88% of chains by 2025.
Contactless payments to hit 75% of transactions by 2026.
Fresh produce sales up 9% annually through 2028.
Ghost kitchens partnership in 25% of foodservice by 2027.
Data analytics spend to increase 22% yearly.
Rural c-stores to gain 10% market share growth.
Personalized marketing ROI projected at 5:1 by 2026.
Hydrogen fueling stations at 1,000 c-stores by 2030.
Omnichannel integration in 60% by 2028.

Trends and Future Projections Interpretation

The gas station is shedding its old skin of fuel fumes and cigarette butts, evolving into a buzzing, data-driven, AI-managed hub where you can charge your car, grab a quinoa bowl, and pay with a glance, all while the ghost kitchen in the back cooks your dinner for delivery.

Sources & References

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