Five C-Store Design Trends for the COVID-19 Era

The c-store industry has demonstrated resilience this past year during the extraordinary times of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Greg Parker, founder and CEO of a chain of 66 Georgia-based c-stores, told CSP magazine that much like c-stores were recession-proof during the financial market crisis over a decade ago, the industry was appearing pandemic-proof.

“I was doing state of the industry in 2008-09 and it was reported that c-stores were viewed as a recession-resistant industry,” Parker said. “Perhaps the same outcome occurs after the 2020 pandemic.”

C-store chains heading into 2021 are looking to expand to meet a growing need in the COVID-19 era.

"The pandemic has not changed our new development plans but has accelerated the plans,” said Gus Olympidis, founder and CEO of 73 Indiana-based c-stores, said in that same CSP article.

Adjusting to the reality of the pandemic means incorporating new c-store design trends, especially health and safety related, into c-store builds and remodels.

Steve Dwyer in “10 Hot C-Store Design Trends in 2020” in CSP wrote: “The “need-it-yesterday” mindset takes on added meaning in a COVID-19 era where operators have had to scramble to implement ongoing health and safety elements in their stores since March.”

Here is our take on five c-store design trends for the COVID-19 era:

1.   Drive-Thru Demand

Since the drive-thru concept has been around since 1928, it might seem a bit antiquated but drive-thru's were a panacea for many during the pandemic with Forbes reporting that in “April, May and June 2020, drive-thru visits increased by 26 percent and represented 42 percent of all restaurant visits.”

C-stores are paying close attention with industry giant Wawa announcing last summer that they were going to build their first freestanding drive-thru in Pennsylvania.

 “Wawa continues to test new store concepts with this latest drive-thru format, providing an opportunity for our customers to still experience and enjoy their favorite Wawa products while remaining inside their vehicle,” said Terri Micklin, Director of Construction, Wawa.

 Regional c-store brands are also embracing the concept with Alabama and Tennessee-based Tri Star Energy only expanding its integrated Twice Daily c-store and White Bison Coffee locations to sites that can accommodate a drive-thru.

2.   Rethink Exterior with Outdoor Seating

Prior to the pandemic most of the c-store design element energy was put into the inside of the stores, but the exterior, especially outdoor seating has become important.

 Dwyer, again in his “10 Hot C-Store Design Trends in 2020” article wrote: “The pandemic made outdoor seating a must for most restaurants. C-stores can jump on this trend but must be cognizant of design and positioning.”

 Creating outdoor seating not only demonstrates to those driving by that you offer food and beverage choices but encourages customers to stay longer during their visit.

3.   Clean Restrooms Still Rule

Clean restrooms have always been a c-store priority with GasBuddy reporting in 2018 that gas stations with above-average restroom ratings increased foot traffic by 33 percent.

In the COVID-19 era, health and safety concerns make clean restrooms and their design vitally important. C-stores can invest in self-opening doors or design doorless entries. Contactless devices, from soap to water to dryers, can be incorporated into designs.

4.   Create Contactless Solutions

Contactless solutions -- from mobile ordering to curbside pickup to delivery – are key elements in future c-store design.  Customers are seeking contactless transactions during the pandemic and will likely continue to seek them out after COVID-19 abates.

 "The first thing that comes to mind in this COVID-19 era is contactless sales of foodservice," Frank White, presenter at Convenience Store News' fifth-annual Convenience Foodservice Exchange, told Convenience Store News. "This didn't originally seem to fit the c-store model because the cost is significant, but there is a clear need for contactless now."

5.   The EV Evolution

Looking beyond the pandemic, C-stores that want to be prepared for the future need to incorporate EV plug-ins into their designs.

Dawn Desai, writing in Retail Customer Experience, says that “C-stores have a huge opportunity to add to their existing infrastructure and prepare for the impending demand for charging stations. This will significantly change the current layout and vibe of the c-store industry as we have come to know it.”

Love’s Travel Stops, located in 41 states, announced recently that they were installing electric charging stations at seven locations across six states.

C-stores installing EV chargers would be ahead of the curve with Morgan Stanley analysts estimating that globally EV will increase from 4 percent of all vehicles on the road to 31 percent by 2030.

PWM is dedicated to serving our clients with quality products and outstanding customer service, contact us to learn more about how we can serve you!