Convenience-store monthly sales and transactions in 2024 boasted just one month of growth. That’s according to the C-Store Shopper Insights Report for CPG Brands from PDI Technologies, a convenience retail technology company based in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Other than February, convenience-store sales saw a sales decline of at least 3.5% and as much as 7.0% in 2024 compared to 2023, the report said.
The report uses transaction-level data from more than 18,000 small-chain or independent convenience stores collected by PDI.
“Store trips declined year over year, ending up at negative 4.6% overall for 2024,” PDI said.
PDI said helping to maintain store profitability, average basket spend was up each month of 2024, with a high point of 3.2% in January.
“Average unit prices were up 4.1% for the year,” the report said.
Taking a closer look at what categories are growing, PDI said overall in-store sales were down 2.8% in 2024 compared to a year ago.
PDI said some categories bucked that trend by showing significant growth, including foodservice prepared onsite, which increased 16.3% in 2024 compared to 2023, and frozen dispensed beverages increased 8.1%.
The lottery and gaming categories fell 33.2% and other tobacco products (OTP) also fell 5.9% in 2024 compared to 2023.
When it comes to why people visit a convenience store, PDI reported that 71% of consumers discover new brands and products in convenience stores. PDI said several brands experienced a sales boost with packaged beverages leading the way.
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