Once seen as a quick stop for gas and snacks during a road trip, convenience stores, or “c-stores,” are now truly living up to their name by bringing convenience to local communities. Previously, these small shops primarily offered candy, sodas, alcohol, cigarettes, and a few household items. As a result, people typically made their visits as brief as possible, or avoided going to convenience stores altogether.

Today, designers are reimagining convenience stores, designing them to fit the needs of today’s lifestyle demands. These new shops offer healthier food options, varied seating areas, top-requested grocery products, clean and spacious bathrooms, and even drive-through and insulated locker options for food pickup to accommodate the newer lifestyle of convenience in a digital age where guest experience is a top priority.

Becoming Neighborhood Markets

By increasing their food offerings, some c-stores are addressing the issue of food deserts by positioning themselves as neighborhood markets. Because these stores are often easily accessible on foot or by bike, they can become an ideal spot for picking up grocery essentials in areas with limited retail options.

As more convenience stores focus on food service as their main strategy to stand out from competitors, several are now offering unique proprietary food options and forming brand partnerships.

Many c-stores are now offering healthier choices like fresh foods, salads, and other nutritious options. To adapt to this trend, designers are reimagining store layouts, often prioritizing showcasing these food items rather than traditional snacks. Healthy options are frequently grouped together, sometimes under a unique proprietary brand name, and are prominently displayed with signage or custom fixtures. When calculating cold storage needs, it’s important to consider the space required for fresh offerings, both on the sales floor and in back-of-house stock areas.

Brand partnerships can enhance a store by introducing an element of familiarity and name recognition. It’s vital to integrate the brand partners’ design standards with the overall c-store aesthetic, ensuring they are distinct yet cohesive. As c-stores aim to stand out in the market, incorporating a proprietary food offering with a unique menu and brand becomes essential. The planning and space requirements are similar to those for a brand partnership, but the design elements—such as order/checkout areas, queue spaces, seating, menu boards, and brand graphics—should align with the overall c-store aesthetic.

Offering Maximum Convenience with On-Demand Options

In a world where we can order nearly anything with a touch on our phones, convenience stores are adapting to various order fulfillment methods, such as in-person, drive-thru, in-store pickup, and curbside pickup. When it comes to designing for these spaces, methods need to be clearly identified before construction to ensure adequate square footage is allocated, meeting customer needs without service gaps.

When designing order fulfillment spaces, it’s crucial to consider adjacencies and visibility. The primary checkout counter should have a clear line of sight to the front door and the sales floor for security purposes. It should also be conveniently located near the back-of-house, with a streamlined path to the office or safe for quick and secure money transfers. Self-checkouts or self-order kiosks should be placed near the cash wrap to allow associates to assist with troubleshooting if needed. In-store pickup areas for online food or grocery orders—whether shelves or food lockers—should be visible to customers through signage, positioned close to a back-of-house access point for easy order drop-off, and located away from queues or egress paths.

For drive-thrus, it’s important to have well-defined lane markings, clear exterior signage, adequate lighting, and sufficient stacking space. This prevents vehicle queues from blocking the parking area and obstructing access for other customers. A bypass lane is also necessary to ensure full access around the building. This setup can require significant site square footage, especially for multilane drive-thrus, so understanding operational needs and planning accordingly is imperative.

Accommodating the Non-Traditional C-Store Visitors

Designers must customize convenience store layouts to cater to a broad spectrum of customers, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. As consumer needs vary—from electric vehicle owners and truckers to travelers and those seeking quick transactions—designs should be adaptable and responsive to these diverse requirements. By integrating flexible layouts and targeted amenities, designers can create more effective shopping environments that meet the unique demands of each customer group.

For electric vehicle owners, providing additional seating or lounge areas with a variety of seating options allows them to relax and enjoy a meal or beverage while their car charges. Providing Wi-Fi and ample electrical outlets is a valuable addition for customers who may need to work while they wait. While seating areas are a valuable addition, studies indicate that EV owners often prefer to stay in their car to work or eat while their vehicle charges. Therefore, providing well-lit, safe parking spaces with extended Wi-Fi coverage is crucial. Ensuring proximity to the building or offering a clearly marked and safe path encourages EV owners to leave their car and shop in the store while they wait.

Travel centers represent a new frontier for c-store brands, featuring expanded forecourts and building footprints for travelers seeking enhanced amenities. These centers often include dedicated areas for truckers and separate diesel canopies. As a result, travel centers become true destinations, offering valuable amenities for both local residents and customers on the go. Conversely, in locations where speed is fundamental—such as sports arenas, airports, or colleges—some c-stores are experimenting with frictionless checkout. These stores use unmanned setups and fully automated systems from companies like Amazon or AiFi. However, this technology has not yet become widespread across the industry.

As convenience stores evolve to meet the demands of today’s consumers, they are becoming essential parts of their communities. The integration of digital order fulfillment, tailored amenities for specific customer groups, and brand partnerships all contribute to a more customer-centric shopping experience. As c-stores continue to adapt to changing lifestyles and expectations, they are set to play an even larger role in enhancing everyday convenience.