Convenience store
A convenience store (also called a c-store, liquor store, mini-mart, or mini-market) is a small store typically selling soft drinks, lottery tickets, newspapers, magazines, candy, ice cream, maps, beer, prepackaged foods like sandwiches and frozen burritos, motor oil, shaving cream and other hygiene products. Some of these stores also sell money orders and wire transfer services. Many gas stations now also operate convenience stores, often converting their service areas from auto repair to retail. Conversely, some convenience stores supplement their businesses by operating gas pumps, often selling gasoline at lower prices than regular service stations to attract customers. Train stations also often have a convenience store.
Prices in a convenience store are typically higher than at a supermarket, mass merchandise store (e.g., Wal-Mart), or auto supply store; in the United States, the stores will sometimes be the only stores and services near an interstate highway exit where drivers can buy any kind of food or drink for miles.
Most of the profit margin from these stores comes from beer, liquor, and cigarettes. Many of these stores in the United States are owned by ethnic Indians, to the degree that an Indian owner of a convenience store has become a stock (and often, stereotypical) character (see Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, a character in The Simpsons). In some urban areas, ethnic Koreans are also active in owning convenience stores. At times, there have been ethnic tensions between Korean-American convenience store owners and African-American customers. Such convenience stores have been subject to looting and arson during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Many convenience stores in the inner-cities are often targets of robberies.
Convenience stores are similar but not identical to Australian milk bars.
The first convenience store was opened in Dallas, Texas in 1927 by the Southland Ice Company, which eventually became 7-Eleven.
List of convenience stores:
See also: Gas station, List of gas stations
Referenced By
Agence métropolitaine de transport | Citgo | Cities Service Company | Gasoline brands | List of automotive fuel brands | List of gas stations | List of marketing topics | List of oil companies | Marketing | Odd price | Rail station | Railroad station | Retail | Retail stores | Retailer | Retailing | Shopping | Store | Train station | Union station
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