Loop Neighborhood Market opens in Oakland Arena

Dive Brief:

Convenience retailer Loop Neighborhood Market has opened a small-format location inside the Bay Area’s Oakland Arena, a company spokesperson confirmed.
The store, which officially opened in June, only sells food and beverages during events occurring in the arena, the spokesperson said. This contrasts from the retailer’s standard stores, which also sell fuel, general merchandise and other c-store staples.
The retailer is exploring more of these arena locations moving forward, including potentially one in the SAP Center in San Jose, California, the spokesperson said.

Dive Insight:

Loop isn’t the only c-store retailer exploring arena locations as the industry continually explores formats where speedy service is key. GetGo Cafe + Market opened a location inside Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena in April 2021, while Yesway debuted an Allsup’s Express Grab & Go at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year.

Upon approaching Loop’s newest store inside Oakland Arena, customers are greeted with a sign that details its rewards program, as well as a QR code that shares where the rest of Loop’s stores are located. The store is open during all events at Oakland Arena, the spokesperson said.

As part of the agreement with the arena, Loop has access to a 16-person private suite in the arena, where the retailer caters food and drinks and various giveaways for certain events. This is available to Loop’s corporate employees, store staff and customers.

The Loop stand, in section 109 of the stadium, offers chicken tenders and sandwiches along with cheeseburgers, fries, candy, beer and an assortment of nonalcoholic drinks, according to the venue’s website. Proprietary fried chicken items are a staple at many Loop locations.

The store will be open until at least March 2025, when its lease with the arena currently ends, the spokesperson said.

Fremont, California-based Loop Neighborhood Market operates more than 130 c-stores and fueling stations in California. The retailer specializes in fresh food and an assortment of beverage options, and also offers dog washing stations, EV chargers and Amazon lockers at some locations.