Dive Brief:
- Convenience store retailer Racetrac Petroleum has revealed plans to expand to South Carolina with two new c-stores set to open in Columbia, according to a report by The State.
- The stores will be located about three miles apart from each other — one at the intersection of Garners Ferry and Fountain Lake roads, the other at Shop Road and Pineview Drive, according to the report. No timeline has been reported for when the stores are expected to open.
- South Carolina will be Atlanta-based Racetrac’s ninth U.S. state of operation as the retailer continues to plant its flag across the Southeast.
Dive Insight:
With more than 550 c-stores throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, Racetrac’s move to South Carolina further establishes the retailer as a major competitor in the eastern U.S.
Among the competitors Racetrac will face that have a sizable footprint in Columbia are 7-Eleven, Circle K, Murphy USA and Enmarket.
Racetrac did not respond by press time to an inquiry for details on its move to South Carolina.
The Garners Ferry location is expected to be about 8,000 square feet, which would be larger than most Racetrac stores. There was no clarification on how large the Shop Road location will be. Both stores will offer diesel and regular fuel pumps, according to the report.
Racetrac’s last expansion to a new state was in May 2022, when it re-entered Alabama after exiting the market in 2006. Racetrac has detailed plans to expand its footprint in Alabama through 2025.
Many new Racetrac locations feature the retailer’s made-to-order foodservice program, which features sandwiches, pizza, hot foods and pastries. Additionally, Racetrac is known for its Swirl World frozen yogurt stations, which offer a variety of ice creams, yogurts, sorbets and Italian ice that can be swirled and enhanced via a toppings bar in the middle of the store.
Racetrac also owns Raceway c-stores, which has more than 200 locations across 12 states in the Southeast — including South Carolina.
Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified the number of states Racetrac will operate in once it opens in South Carolina. It will be in nine states.
