C-store brands that can offer consumers innovative products and experiences are well-positioned to continue thriving in 2025 and beyond, according to foot traffic analytics firm Placer.ai, Santa Cruz, California, in its new report C-Store Visits Well-Positioned For a Strong 2025.
Monthly c-store visits have risen past the segment’s pre-pandemic baseline, with November 2024 c-store traffic 16.1% higher than in November 2019, the report said.
The research firm said that this surge is a result of the c-store channel over the past few years undergoing a transformation.
“Many category leaders significantly elevated their food, beverage and experiential offerings, leaning into growing demand for affordable, convenient groceries and takeaway,” the report said.
Year-over-year traffic for the c-store segment has also remained relatively flat in 2024, with November 2024 visits down 0.9% year over year, said the report.
Chains like Lake Jackson, Texas-based Buc-ee’s, La Crosse, Wisconsin-based Kwik Trip, Salt Lake City-based Maverik and Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., which owns the Circle K brand, however, are outperforming the wider segment in part because of their aggressive expansion, the report said.
“Maverik’s particularly stand-out visit growth is likely due to its acquisition and rebranding of the Kum & Go brand,” said the report.
Data shows that Maverik is seeing the most growth in the Southwest, while Kwik Trip’s visits are rising mostly in the Midwest, and Wawa traffic is rising in Florida and in the Mid-Atlantic region.
As 2025 unfolds, “c-stores have demonstrated incredible resilience and adaptability, cementing their roles as key destinations for price-conscious shoppers eager to stretch their dollars—without compromising on quality,” Placer.ai said.
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