Majority of c-stores see sales dip during COVID-19

Convenience retailers are taking a sales hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new online poll of more than 150 c-store executives.

The survey learned that 75% of the U.S. convenience store respondents said that shelter-in-place and social distancing policies during the pandemic are having a negative impact on their sales. Only 8% of those surveyed said their sales haven’t changed, while 16% reported they have seen sales increase thanks to panic buying.

The results of the poll are a far cry compared to grocery retailers such as Kroger, Ahold Delhaize U.S. and Costco who reported sales boosts exceeding 30% during the pandemic.

The poll was conducted by Convenience Store News, a sister publication of Store Brands. Other results included:

• Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported that it’s been difficult staying in stock, particularly with essential items like cleaning products and paper products;
• Fifty-eight percent of respondents did not change their store hours; 26% scheduled in time to help with stocking and sanitizing stores;
• Another 15% said they have been offering increased pay, benefits and other services to employees who have been temporarily displaced from jobs.

For more findings from the exclusive research, see the article here at Convenience Store News.