Convenience store (C-store) operators are paying close attention to 2026 C-store trends as competition intensifies in a budget-conscious economy, where lower average fuel prices and increased fuel economy are resulting in fewer trips to the gas station.
“Retailers may also want to reconsider their reliance on fuel margins, because the number of fuel transactions is not growing,” wrote the NACS in its State of the C-Store Industry Update on Nov. 21, 2025. “Whether that’s because of more fuel-efficient vehicles coming online or higher electric-vehicle adoption rates, convenience retailers may want to look at ways to diversify their revenue streams and focus on growing inside sales and transactions.”
The previous month, at the annual NACS Show in Chicago, retailers and suppliers gathered to explore new ideas that could be coming soon to a C-store near you. C-Store Dive noted that “more than anything, though, this year’s NACS Show delivered several big-picture ideas that convenience retailers can inject into their businesses to spur profitability and repeat customers.”
Among the trends spotted: everything pickle flavored, store safety, “blocking and tackling” tech basics, AI implementation, competition, and buzzy beverages and flavor makeovers.
Growing the Basket In-Store Will be Crucial
Fewer trips to the C-store in 2026 will result in greater emphasis on growing the basket in-store, as operators work to make merchandise and food purchases count.
“When you think about driving the inside business and how to increase your basket size, you need to focus on units. It's always great to drop an extra unit in the basket, whether through upselling or better promotions, which could impact your unit count,” said Chris Rapanick, managing director of NACS Research.
The NACS says that 73% of in-store merchandise transactions are from three categories: packaged beverages (34.1%), beer (11.2%), and nicotine (27.9%).
To increase the number of items purchased on each trip, look for the following in 2026:
- Bold Flavors: Pickle might be the flavor of 2026, according to the NACS Show with C-Store Dive highlighting products such as Giant Snacks’ dill pickle cashews, Vlasic’s dill pickle balls, Flamin’ Hot dill pickle Cheetos, and new spicy pickle Wavers snacks. Sour profiles are also poised for growth.
- International Meals: Customers won’t need a passport to travel the culinary world, just a visit to their local C-store. Expect more Mexican and Asian options such as chicken tinga, General Tso’s chicken, chicken teriyaki, and tikka masala.
“While retailers experienced moderate foodservice growth of approximately 5%–6% over the past two years, this growth has been largely driven by price increases rather than volume,” explained Rapanick. “Increased competition from quick-service restaurants (QSRs) continues to pose challenges. Insights from the Convenience Voices program show that 28% of customers frequent c-stores for specific purchases but leave to buy food elsewhere.”
Safety First: Making C-Stores Workplaces Safer
Workplace safety was a major topic at the NACS Show, with new ideas on how to keep employees and customers safer. Look for more third-party partners helping C-stores improve safety and incident response.
- 911-certified operators at the push of a button, giving staff immediate access to emergency help when every second counts.
- Nurse hotlines where employees can call an 800-number to speak with a live nurse to evaluate in-store injuries.
- Shared crime data across competing brands to support loss prevention and risk management for the entire industry.
Technology: Walk Before You Run to AI Solutions
Artificial intelligence (AI) is in the process of reshaping nearly every industry, and C-stores are no exception. C-Store Dive cautioned that operators should learn to walk before they run to AI solutions.
“When retailers look at this sea of options and imagine all the changes they want to make, experts say it’s best to figure out the basics rather than potentially overwhelming themselves by jumping in the deep end,” said C-Store Dive. “Being thoughtful up front and re-evaluating technology after it’s been in use for a while can help companies build a tech stack that effectively serves both workers and customers.”
Dover’s 2026 Fuel & Convenience Trends Report highlighted that:
- 62% of retailers are effectively reducing costs by using data to cut waste.
- 47% of retailers are upgrading their loyalty and rewards offering in the next two years.
- 1 in 4 retailers say they will soon be upgrading their POS system.
- 84% of retailers believe EV charging will play a role in their long-term business strategy.
- 50% of retailers say high operating costs are in their top three business pain points.
“Building a strong baseline is becoming more important than ever as technology continues rapidly evolving and reshaping consumer expectations,” concluded C-Store Dive. “Stores with a solid technology foundation will be better set up to connect their services to emerging innovations.”
Competition is Heating Up
Not only are C-stores facing fewer gas station visits, but competition for key categories such as food and nicotine products is ramping up.
“Convenience retailers are no longer just competing against each other. They’re also competing with businesses from other channels focused on key product categories,” said C-Store Dive.
- Vape Shops on the Rise: NACS figures show vape shops in the U.S. grew by 40% between 2022 and 2023, siphoning sales away from C-stores.
- Coffee Shops Brew Sales: National and local coffee chains are increasingly capturing the coffee traffic, pulling customers from C-stores.
The goal for C-stores in 2026 will be to keep these customers through differentiated offerings, strong in-stock positions on popular items, compelling promotions, and robust rewards and loyalty programs.
NACS Show Buzzes with Buzzy Drinks
One of the biggest storylines at the NACS Show was new beverage offerings from brands such as Bloom, King Kongin, Muscle Milk, and Gatorade Lower Sugar.
C-Store Dive noted that frozen beverages came in a “dizzying variety of flavors and options,” including frozen juices, teas, sodas, coffees, and even alcoholic drinks.
While beverages were buzzing on the trade show floor, drinks that pack a buzz, THC-infused beverages, have been pumping up sales at C-stores and will likely remain popular in 2026.
Selling THC drinks is legal in dozens of states, reports NPR, as long as the active ingredient comes from hemp, as defined by the 2018 Farm Bill, creating a legal framework that spawned a fast-growing market. At the NACS Show, it was reported that C-store giant Circle K had recently started selling hemp-THC beverages at select stores in Georgia before expanding to Florida, with more states expected to follow.
CSP noted that “Hemp-THC beverages come in many different formats, from ready-to-drink cans to multi-serving bottles to shots to liquid or powder sticks that can be added to any drink. And they come in a wide variety of potencies, from just a couple of milligrams of THC to 10 milligrams, 20 milligrams or more.”
PWM Signs Can Drive People to Your Store
No matter what trends shape the industry in 2026, signage will remain critical to driving customers to your location.
PWM Electronic Price Signs’ innovative fuel sign options stand out in the U.S. and around the world, helping retailers clearly communicate prices and promotions from the road and the pump.
Contact PWM today to learn more about C-store signage options that can help you capture those important gas pump visits.
