Allen Brothers Wholesale Distribution: 10 Tips for Running Successful Convenience Stores

Do you want to open a convenience store, add a location or just want to make more money from your existing location? Be sure to contact your local Small Business Development Center SBDC for low-cost training and free professional business advice.

Did you know that rising credit card fees are a real concern for convenience store owners? Or that C Stores are becoming more like restaurants? Successful C Store owners keep up with the latest industry trends.

Load up on your convenience store know-how with our Convenience Store Business Overview and Trends section. Spotting industry trends can help you make better decisions with vendors, suppliers and your local banker. Did you know that a few small changes in product selection and merchandising could help you make a lot more money? A recent study found that most C Stores focus on men shoppers but that industry experts think women are a big market opportunity.

You can see some of the different reasons men and women shop at C Stores in our summary of the Realities of the Aisle Convenience Store Study by the National Association of Convenience Stores. Men are more frequent shoppers at C Stores.

But it might surprise you to learn the different things that interest men vs. C-store owners often serve many local markets from the same store.

One store might have customers that walk in, some that drive a short distance and maybe daily commuters cruising down the interstate or riding a nearby bus or train. Each of these C Store target markets can have different incomes, family styles, and product preferences.

We found an article that describes the 4 Types of Convenience Store Customers , which can help improve your C Store merchandising efforts. These GIS reports tell the story of a local market. They are great tools for helping pick the best store location. GIS reports give you loads of data — population, income, employment, buying patterns for all types of consumers — and then map it onto your target market.

Difference Between a Grocery Store and Convenience Store | sotoyege.web.fc2.com

These GIS systems are usually too expensive for a small business owner to buy. Fortunately, a SBDC Business Advisor can provide competitor lists and other research services.

All you have to do is contact your local SBDC and schedule an appointment with an SBDC Business Advisor — remember, your SBDC Business Advisor is paid by SBA and your local college or university, so the time they spend with you is free to you!

And be sure to contact your local Small Business Development Center SBDC for low-cost training and free professional business advice.

Expert Advice On Running A Convenience Store - Bizdaq

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Official SBDC Advisor Login Here All Other Site Areas Are Open to the Public. Home Small Business Help Topics Small Business Snapshots Market Research Links Find Your Local SBDC About Us Research Services GIS Mapping Services SBA Tools Website Policies Contact Us. Sample SBDCNet Competitor Map - Click to Enlarge.

Small Business Snapshots Artisan Bread Business. Auto Repair Business Automotive After Market Accessories.

Car Wash Business Coffee Shop Business Fast Food Business Full Service Restaurant Business Hunting and Outdoor Recreation. Janitorial Services Business Landscaping Services Business State Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pacific Islands Guam Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Virgin Islands Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming.

Partners Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. Contact Us SBDCNet W. San Antonio, Texas www.

Government Links Small Business Administration SBA Direct USA.