People love convenience stores because they offer a little bit of everything, whether a quick snack, a cold drink, dental floss, or some deodorant.
But, with limited space and rising prices, deciding on a winning convenience store product list isn’t easy. Harder still, a “little bit of everything” means different things to different people.
So, what should your convenience store sell? In this article, we’ll cover the top 11 product categories to sell in a convenience store, along with how to assess and improve your product list.
Let’s dive in.
What To Consider When Choosing What To Sell in a Convenience Store
Building the perfect convenience store product list will take some time because every store is a little different. However, when thinking of what to sell in your store, consider the following:
- Available space: Most convenience and corner stores have limited space, meaning you’ll need to prioritize some sections over others. Think of how to maximize your space without making it feel claustrophobic or messy.
- Customer demographics: The product selection of a convenience store near a college campus will differ vastly from one in a residential strip mall. Tailor your product selection to the people in your neighborhood.
- Sales history: Periodically use your point of sale (POS) system to get a bird’s eye view of sales data to see which items are selling best and expand in those categories first.
- Variety: Most people expect convenience stores to have a variety of different items, so even while you expand popular product categories, don’t skimp on the staples.
Another important thing to consider is the competition. Because convenience stores stock a bit of everything, you won’t just be competing with other convenience stores but with local grocers, liquor stores, tobacco shops, and more.
Visit other shops in your area to identify any gaps in their selection so you can establish your niche.
11 Top Products To Sell in Your Convenience Store
Having a variety of items in your convenience store will make it stand out in customers’ minds. While you should always tailor your selection to your customer base, here are eleven categories to get you started.
11. Automotive
Stocking automotive parts might be a great idea, especially if your convenience store is close to a highway.
Your store won’t have the space for specific car parts like batteries (leave that to the auto parts stores). Instead, stick to more generic automotive products like:
- Motor oil
- Wipers
- Air fresheners
- Antifreeze
- Wiper fluid
If you’re unsure if your customers will need automotive products, start with a small selection of motor oil and wiper fluid. Then, monitor sales over a few months to see if it’s worth expanding the section or leaving it as-is.
Related Read: How Much Does it Cost to Open a Convenience Store? The Complete Guide
10. Packaged Drinks
Help customers quench their thirst with a healthy mix of bottled sodas, cold coffee, energy drinks, teas, sports drinks, and bottled water.
Packaged drinks are consistent earners for C-stores with profit margins of over 40%. The key to a successful drinks fridge is variety — but that’s not the same as picking items randomly.
Stay ahead of convenience store trends by researching what types of drinks are popular based on the demographics in your area. Combine that information with the sales history on your POS system. That should help you figure out which categories to expand and which to reduce to bestsellers only.
9. Basic Groceries
A convenience store generally isn’t seen as a replacement for a grocery store, but it’s still a good idea to stock up on the basics.
Have a section of your store for pantry staples like:
- Bread
- Cooking oil
- Canned soups
- Pet food
- Flour, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder
- Pasta
- Basic sauces
- Dairy (milk, cream, sliced cheese, etc.)
If there is a large international community in your area, you might consider carrying some unique international staples that aren’t usually stocked in a grocery store.
Read the guide: How to Start an International Grocery Store
8. Basic Toiletries and Cosmetics
Many people visit a C-store at the beginning of their journey or midway through a trip. If they happen to forget or run out of some basic toiletry items, your store can come to the rescue!
Stock basics like:
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste
- Soap and body wash
- Razors
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
Cosmetics also have a high profit margin, so stocking some popular cosmetic staples (e.g., skincare products) might be a good idea, especially if your customer base is on the younger side.
7. OTC Medications
Many people run into a convenience store for basic over-the-counter (OTC) medications like:
- Painkillers
- Cold medicines and cough syrups
- Digestive aids and antacids
- Allergy medications
- Eye drops
- Motion sickness and anti-nausea pills
This is good news as the OTC drug market continues to grow in profitability.
You can also stock basic medical supplies like disinfectant, bandages, and tissues without taking up too much shelf space.
Be aware that some cold and flu medications require ID checks. Ensure you configure your POS system to prompt the cashier to check ID when those medicines are scanned. Use ID scanners to keep the process moving quickly.
6. Ready-To-Eat Foods
Grab-and-go meal options are increasingly popular at convenience and grocery stores. Have a mix of healthy options like yogurt cups, salads, fruit cups, and more hearty meals like sandwiches, chicken, and pasta.
If you don’t have the space to install a food warmer or microwave oven, you can also offer microwavable meals that customers can heat up themselves.
If you start stocking grab-and-go meals, make sure you keep track of expiration dates on your POS system. If certain products are due to expire soon, put a discount sticker on them to help cut down on food waste and losses.
5. Candy and Snacks
Everyone loves a little sweet treat, and items like candy, gum, and chocolate remain bestsellers for many convenience stores. Not only do these items have solid profit margins, but they also have a long shelf life, minimizing your chances of food spoilage.
Candy is an impulse buy for many, so when updating your store layout, consider having some shelves and standing displays near the checkout counter or the front of the store to tempt customers.
4. Fountain Drinks and Hot Coffee
Customers often pop into a convenience store for a quick large soda or a hot coffee. That’s good news for you since coffee and fountain drinks are some of the top drivers of C-store profits.
If you have the space, investing in a soda fountain can be extremely profitable for convenience stores. However, keep in mind that while coffee and fountain drinks have high profit margins, they are also pretty cheap. That’s why it’s important to strategically lay out your store to encourage customers to grab a snack or a pastry with their drink to boost sales.
3. Lottery Tickets
There have been some staggeringly high lottery jackpots over the last few years, with one Powerball drawing in 2022 paying out over $2 billion.
It’s a good idea to sell lottery tickets in your store. Americans spend almost $100 billion on lottery tickets every year, and stores that sell lottery tickets get a commission of about 5% to 8%.
Additionally, many states pay out a bonus if your store sells a winning ticket. Just ensure your store stays compliant by registering as a lottery retailer and checking IDs for anyone buying a ticket.
2. Alcoholic Drinks
Most states allow for the sale of beer and wine at convenience stores, creating lucrative opportunities for store owners.
Stock a selection of:
- Popular beer brands
- Craft beer
- Wine
- Ready-to-drink cocktails
To simplify the tracking of alcohol sales, look for systems with liquor inventory features like case breaking. This will allow you to receive a case of wine or beer, then sell it by individual bottle or can.
Last, place alcoholic items in easy-to-see spaces to discourage shoplifters, since alcoholic drinks are at higher risk.
1. Tobacco and Vapes
Even with tobacco sales falling overall, the vast majority of sales (over 80%) were at convenience stores. Combined with the rising popularity of vapes, electronic cigarettes, and other smokeless tobacco products, convenience stores have opportunities to make big profits.
Carry smoke shop staples like:
- Cigarettes
- Disposable vapes
- Lighters
- Vape refills
- CBD
If you sell tobacco products, keep them behind the counter or in a locked display case. Also, make sure to display any required signage and warnings to stay compliant with tobacco rules and regulations.
Simplify Your Convenience Store Management With the Right POS System
Keeping a convenience store stocked with the right items at the right time is no easy task. Especially when what you sell inevitably changes over time.
No two C-stores are the same, so choosing the right technology for your business is important.
At POS Nation, we’re dedicated to helping small and independent businesses find the software and hardware that will meet their unique needs.
Talk to one of our experts today to find a solution to simplify your inventory management, improve the customer experience, and boost sales.
