3 new big-name threats to the c-store industry - Professional Carwashing & Detailing

3 new big-name threats to the c-store industry

CHICAGO — Amazon, Walmart and Dollar General are opening new outlets.

CHICAGO — According to an article on cspdailynews.com, both traditional and online retailers present new threats to the c-store industry by offering new outlets catering towards immediacy and convenience over other specific needs, such as groceries and drugs.

Amazon

Amazon has now launched “Amazon Go,” a retail outlet similar to a convenience store but with no checkout line, that offers snack and meal options, groceries, meal kits and more, the article reported.

To shop, a customer needs an Amazon account, a smartphone and the free Amazon app, the article continued; together, these allow customer to enter the store via a turnstile and shop.

Amazon’s “just walk out” technology can also detect when a customer removes or replaces products on a shelf and keeps a tally of these items in a virtual cart, the article stated, allowing the customer to leave the store without waiting in line or checking out (Amazon charges the account upon exiting and sends a virtual receipt).

The first store, located in Seattle, is open only to Amazon employees as they beta test the program, the article added, but the stores are expected to open to the public in early 2017.

Earlier reports indicated that Amazon was also planning to open several brick-and-mortar grocery store and c-store retail outlets that gave customers the option of picking up groceries ordered online or even ordering groceries online from the store itself; however, Amazon has denied those reports but offered no details on what it does plan to build in its brick-and-mortar spaces, that article noted.

Walmart

On Dec. 1st, Walmart opened a new concept store in Thornton, Colorado, called “Walmart Pickup With Fuel,” the article continued.

The new 4,000 square foot store is not only a c-store that offers coffee, soft drinks, healthy snacks and other items, but also grocery basics, such as eggs, milk and bread, the article stated; in addition, it has a gas station and a pickup site for online grocery orders.

In 2014, Walmart opened “Walmart to Go,” a more traditional c-store that also provides food and fuel services, in Bentonville, Arkansas, where the company is based, the article noted; however, Walmart has not opened other such stores since then.

Walmart also operates “Walmart on Campus” outlets, the article added, as well as other small and medium-sized stores, at several universities, some of which include gas stations.

Dollar General

According to the article, “Dollar stores have always tried to undercut convenience stores on price, numbers of stores and proximity to customers.”

Dollar General Corp. has now developed a smaller-format store, named DGX, which more closely resembles a traditional c-store, the article continued.

These 3,400 sq. ft. outlets will not only offer items of immediacy, such as coffee, soft drinks and pre-made sandwiches, the article noted, but they will also offer a limited range of groceries, pet supplies, snacks, paper products and cleaning supplies in addition to an expanded health-and-beauty section.

Dollar General also plans to offer a “carefully edited” selection of seasonal goods and home and electronic products, the article added ¾ items that are not traditionally found in c-stores.

In July 2016, Dollar General also bought 41 former “Walmart Express” locations that Walmart sold to focus on other formats and its digital side, the article stated; 37 of these outlets have fuel services, marking a great leap into fuel retailing for Dollar General.

Find the full article here.

You May Also Like

SCWA announces recording breaking attendance for 2024 EXPO

FORT WORTH, Texas — The convention was highlighted by two nationally recognized speakers: Stu Crum, CEO of True Blue Car Wash, and football legend Emmitt Smith.

FORT WORTH, Texas — The 2024 edition of the Southwest Car Wash Association Convention & EXPO recently concluded, bringing together approximately 2,700 carwash owners and operators from 45 different states plus Mexico, Canada, Finland and Germany at the Fort Worth Convention Center, the association announced in a press release.

"I am always amazed to see the excitement and enthusiasm of all the attendees and exhibitors,” said SCWA President Frank Nuchereno. “As the first big carwash event of the year, the SCWA Convention & EXPO is a wonderful opportunity bringing the greater carwash community together to start the year with great anticipation.”

Ups and downs of gas prices

Why costs for this popular energy source are fluctuating and what drivers can do about it.

Additional profit center: rust removal

Should your carwash offer a rust removal and prevention service?

rust, car, rust removal
Power up profits by selling CBD products

What to know about this lucrative retail sales opportunity.

New profit center: Electric vehicle charging stations

How adding EV chargers to your wash can help drivers, the planet and your bottom line.

Other Posts

Glide Xpress Car Wash announces grand opening of new Cordova location

GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — Glide Xpress Car Wash expands to five locations in the Greater Memphis area.

Glide Xpress Car Wash Grand Opening
Express Wash Concepts celebrates 4th consecutive year on Inc. magazine list

COLUMBUS, Ohio — According to Inc. magazine, EWC ranked #80 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 Regionals Midwest list with a two-year revenue growth of 147%.

Whistle Express acquires 3 more washes from 2 brands

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The company will invest in converting the three washes to Whistle Express locations by mid-March, including upgraded wash technology and new signage.

Bill Martin honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

BOISE, Idaho and FORT WORTH, Texas — The Metro Express Car Wash founder and CEO was presented the award by the Southwest Car Wash Association.

Bill Martin Honored with SCWA Lifetime Achievement Award