3 Big Numbers is a weekly column that looks at a few key details from around the c-store industry.
The c-store industry is looking ahead this week, with preparations for the NACS Show underway and Reuters reporting Arko looking to sell its convenience arm, GPM Investments.
In the meantime, this week’s interesting numbers spotlights a pair of brand new retailers — one building its first store and the other acquiring its first 10 — plus a full year of beer.
80
The number of stores Legacy Markets is aiming to have by year end.
Legacy Markets, a new c-store venture based in Hendersonville, North Carolina, grabbed attention in the c-store industry this week with its purchase of the 10-location Triangle Stop Food Stores chain in the Tar Heel State
In a year that’s seen multiple acquisitions that included hundreds of stores, 10 sites isn’t that notable. But what makes this interesting is that Legacy Markets is a brand new retailer — and one that has big plans. By the end of 2024, the company aims to have 80 stores, said Matt Thomas, vice president of business development.
That’s an ambitious goal over the next four months. Luckily, the executive team has years of experience with big companies like GPM Investments and the now-defunct SuperAmerica banner.
$25.7 billion
The amount of money customers spent on beer at c-stores over the past year.
Beer is still big business.
For the year ending Aug. 11, Circana found that consumers spent a whopping $25.7 billion on beer at convenience stores in the U.S. That’s basically flat year over year, but it’s still a lot of suds.
Beer’s popularity has been waning recently thanks to tight budgets, health concerns and changing demographics. However, it’s still the fourth-most-popular category in c-stores — behind only prepared foods, packaged beverages and cigarettes, according to NACS data. In 2022, beer sales were responsible for more than $18,000 in sales per month per store.
12,000
The square footage of the inaugural Shelee’s travel center in California.
Shelee’s, a new travel center brand owned by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, made its debut in Coachella, California on Aug. 26 with a 12,000-square-foot location.
The convenience store features a Kupi Coffee Shop with a menu that includes hot and cold drinks to order, breakfast sandwiches, pastries and fried chicken. In the forecourt, the travel center has 59 fueling positions, including 36 under the auto canopy and 15 appearing beneath the truck canopy.
The tribe plans to open a truck wash, truck repair facility and trucker lounge on the site before the end of Q1 2025, and expects to debut three more Shelee’s locations in the near future.
