2025 C-Store Update: 4 Trends Redefining the Future of C-Stores

It’s not just about candy, salty snacks, and cigarettes anymore. C-stores are becoming hubs for fresh meals, functional drinks, EV charging, and tech-enabled shopping. And while the store format may be small, the growth trajectory isn’t. 

According to Flywheel Digital’s Chad Widdison, the convenience channel “is the second-fastest-growing retail sales channel in the U.S., surpassed only by online retail.”

So what’s powering the surge? And what should retailers, suppliers, and innovators be watching closely? Let’s dig into four trends reshaping the C-store experience. But first, let’s clarify what a C-store is today.

What Defines a Convenience Store?

The convenience channel typically includes two major formats: 1) gas station C-stores, which are often partnerships between oil companies and grocers, and 2) standalone C-stores without fuel, which offer a focused range of essential goods.

Despite the differences, both share common traits:

• Smaller basket sizes
• High volume of impulse and on-the-go purchases
• Locations in high-traffic areas
• Compact store formats 

These characteristics continue to define the channel’s foundation—but the story is shifting. Once known for speed and simplicity, C-stores are standing out for their rapid reinvention. 

A Quiet Climb: How C-Stores Are Gaining Ground

The C-store sector has long played a unique role in the retail ecosystem as a perennial small player. But it’s now taking on new significance as a key growth channel. 

Based on Flywheel’s market forecasting, Widdison says convenience is expected to post a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%, with its share of total U.S. retail sales rising from 2.6% in 2024 to 3% by 2029. 

That may seem like a modest uptick. But for such a mature format, it signals meaningful momentum. 

“While supermarkets and other established channels maintain significant market share,” says Widdison, “the convenience channel’s projected growth demonstrates both its resilience and its ability to adapt to changing consumer needs.”

Four Trends Reshaping the Convenience Store Industry

From fresh food to fast charging, C-stores are redefining what convenience means. The following four trends reveal how C-Store retailers are transforming their smaller formats into smarter, more flexible spaces designed to meet changing shopper expectations. Let’s take a closer look.

1. C-stores are becoming meal destinations

Retailers are quickly moving beyond snacks and sodas, positioning their C-stores as go-to stops for fresh, made-to-order meals.

“Consumers are seeking restaurant-quality food on the go,” says Widdison. 

That demand is fueling a wave of foodservice innovation: sandwiches, grain bowls, and other customizable orders. In fact, C-store foodservice sales are projected to hit $72.5 billion in 2025.

This shift is helping C-stores stand apart from both fast food and grocery. Retailers like Wawa, Casey’s, and Sheetz are leaning into hot meal options, digital ordering, and high-margin grab-and-go items. In the process they’re reimagining what “convenient” really means.

2. Healthier options are going mainstream

Closely related to No. 1, as shoppers become more ingredient-conscious, C-stores are adjusting their mix of grab-and-go goods, especially for Gen Z and younger millennials.

“Stores are offering fresh, organic, and low-sugar products like yogurt, parfaits, wraps, and electrolyte-infused beverages,” says Widdison.

In other words, a health-forward assortment is no longer a niche offering; it’s becoming a baseline expectation for shoppers. At the same time, over 27% of C-store sales now come from edible grocery, a growing category that includes both traditional snacks and an expanding range of fresh, functional, and wellness-focused products.

3. EV charging is driving new foot traffic

EV adoption is rising and with it a new reason for shoppers to stop at convenience stores. To meet this demand, more C-store operators are investing in charging stations as part of a broader push to modernize the forecourt and expand their role in the mobility ecosystem.

While some retailers are experimenting with EV-only formats, others are integrating chargers into existing locations, often supported by state and federal infrastructure incentives.

But the biggest advantage may be what happens after the car plugs in. “These stations create new revenue streams, increase foot traffic, and enhance brand image,” Widdison notes.

With dwell times typically lasting 15–30 minutes, shoppers are more likely to step inside, order a fresh meal, browse high-margin items, or engage with loyalty-driven offers.

4. Digital tools are raising the bar for convenience

Today’s shoppers expect more than just a fast checkout. They want a smarter, more personalized experience. To meet those expectations, C-store operators are deploying technologies that do more than speed things up—they’re reshaping how the entire store functions.          

“Mobile apps, loyalty programs, and personalized recommendations are boosting engagement,” says Widdison. 

Meanwhile, self-checkout, curbside pickup, and energy management systems are helping stores increase labor efficiency and streamline everyday operations. For example, Wawa is piloting a fully digital shelf-less store where all purchases are made via app or touchscreen, and employees fulfill the orders behind the scenes.

It’s a model built around simplicity, security, and speed—three values driving the next generation of convenience.

Key Takeaways: Small Formats, Big Innovations

Today’s leading convenience retailers are redefining the C-store model, investing in food, wellness, energy, and automation to meet modern shopper expectations:

• Foodservice first. C-stores are becoming known for quality meals, not just snacks.
  
• Healthier products. Fresh, plant-based, and low-sugar options are increasingly in demand.
  
• EV charging & infrastructure. Retailers are planning for a future where fueling isn’t just about gas.
  
• Tech for speed and experience. From mobile apps to self-checkout to smart energy systems, tech is powering the next-gen convenience store.

For C-store retailers and operators, the message is clear: The road ahead belongs to those who innovate with purpose, adapt with agility, and design around the shopper.

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