Convenience Stores in Australia - Industry Market Research Report

Sliding doors: Recovering employment and eased restrictions are returning foot traffic to stores

Convenience stores have withstood fierce competition by emphasising convenience and value and offering various fresh and healthy products. C-stores have increasingly shifted product mixes to include food-service products that are profitable and have focused more on satisfying demand for quick and easy meal options. A lull in commuting and foot traffic hurt convenience stores in a pandemic-centric world. However, a return to normalcy and new pandemic-fuelled technology, including contactless payment and ordering methods, has strengthened industry performance. Revenue has slid by an annualised 0.1% to $4.9 billion over the five years to 2022-23, including a 1.0% jump in 2022-23.

Convenience stores sell a range of products including cigarettes, beverages, travel accessories, snack foods, ready-to-eat foods, groceries, beauty products, merchandise, newspapers and magazines. The industry includes corner shops and milk bars and excludes firms that operate primarily as supermarkets; firms that sell specialised foods including fruit, bread and deli goods; and business activities that generate revenue through fuel retailing.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.