However, the record number of holiday shoppers during those five days is eclipsed by the estimated 165 million people who shop at a convenience store every day, according to a new report released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).

Time To Shop, a new report released by NACS, documents how Americans shop at convenience stores. The report features data collected from national consumer surveys conducted this year by public opinion research firm PSB.

Americans rely on convenience stores to refuel their vehicles, or to grab a quick snack, beverage or meal—in less than four minutes. These shoppers are all visiting convenience stores for the convenience of a one-stop shopping experience with fast speed of service. Most of all, stores fulfill an immediate need to fuel up or fill up: Convenience stores sell 80% of the gas purchased in the United States and inside the store 83% of the food, drinks and snacks shoppers buy are consumed within an hour of purchase.

“Half of America stops at a convenience store every day, though people may not even think about the experience because it is so quick and convenient,” said NACS Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives Jeff Lenard. “Throughout the remainder of the year plenty of holiday shoppers will visit convenience stores to fill up their cars, grab a quick drink or snack as they hit the roads, or even buy gift cards and stocking stuffers at c-stores.”

Here are a few insights into how Americans shop at convenience stores:

• Convenient locations: 93% of Americans live within 10 minutes of a convenience store, including 86% of those living in rural areas. Convenient location was cited as the top convenience attribute by consumers (33%), outpacing other convenience offerings including “no lines” (30%), plenty of parking spots close to the store (9%) and the ability to order online (6%).
• One-stop shopping: 48% of gas customers say they went inside the store the last time they purchased fuel. Of those purchasing an item, 53% say they went inside primarily to purchase a beverage.
• Speed of service: Nearly half of all customers (45%) said they were in and out of the store with a purchase in under 3 minutes. Meanwhile, 21% spent more than 5 minutes inside the store, most likely because they were ordering prepared food or dining inside the store.
• New convenience opportunities exist: Frequent convenience store customers are most likely to embrace retailers that offer instant pay or cashier-less checkout solutions. Both online ordering for in-store pickup and ordering items from other stores that could be picked up at in-store lockers were also heavily favored by frequent convenience store customers.

About NACS
National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) advances the role of convenience stores as positive economic, social and philanthropic contributors to the communities they serve. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 154,000 stores nationwide selling fuel, food and merchandise, serves 160 million customers daily—half of the U.S. population—and has sales that are 10.8% of total U.S. retail and foodservice sales. NACS has 2,100 retailer and 1,750 supplier members from more than 50 countries.

NACS Contact:
Jeff Lenard
V.P., Strategic Industry Initiatives
703-518-4272