For the 16th consecutive year, U.S. convenience stores (c-stores) have experienced record in-store sales in 2018, according to an April press release from the Alexandria, Va.-based National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). Total sales surged 8.9 percent to $654.3 billion in sales, the association says.
Sales of packaged beverages including carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, water, sports drinks, juices and teas within the c-store channel performed well, marking a 15.2 percent increase compared with the previous year, the press release states. Beer also increased, accounting for 6.3 percent of total c-store sales.