To save space, food is not prepared in the store. Some shops have a self-service microwave oven for heating purchased food.įast food items are often available, with stores offering such food either under its owner banner or in partnership with a fast-food chain maintaining a counter in the store. Others have racks offering fresh delivered or baked doughnuts from local doughnut shops. Some shops have a delicatessen counter, offering custom-made sandwiches and baguettes. A process of freezing parbaked bread allows easy shipment (often from France) and baking in-store.

Throughout Europe, it is now common for convenience stores to sell fresh French bread (or similar). Many convenience shops offer food ready-to-eat, such as breakfast sandwiches and fry-ups. Convenience stores have also been known to carry candles, stationery, artwork, and crockery. They may carry small appliances, as well as other household items such as coolers and backpacks. Some stores offer money orders and wire transfer services. Stores may carry apparel, home furnishings, CDs, and DVDs.

Often toiletries and other hygiene products are stocked, as well as sanitary products and contraception. Automobile-related items-such as motor oil, maps and car kits-may be sold. Varying degrees of food and grocery supplies are usually available, from household products to prepackaged foods like sandwiches and frozen burritos. In many North American jurisdictions, tobacco products comprise the greatest portion of gross sales at convenience stores, between 25% and 35%. cigarette papers, pipe tobacco, cigars and e-liquid for e-cigarettes). Most stores sell cigarettes and other tobacco products (e.g. Unless the outlet is a liquor store, the range of alcoholic beverages is likely to be limited (i.e. Typically confectionery (sweets, ice cream, soft drinks), lottery tickets, newspapers and magazines are sold, although merchandise varies widely from store to store. Various types include, for example, liquor stores ( off-licences-offices), mini-markets (mini-marts), general stores or party stores. Merchandise Īssortment of energy drinks displayed in a convenience store in Bangkok, Thailand It is a loanword from the French 'troubleshooter'). Ī convenience store may also be called a cold store, party store ( Michigan), bodega (New York City), tienda de barrio (Latin America), carry out, mini-market, mini-mart, konbini (Japan), corner shop, deli or milk bar (Australia), dairy (New Zealand), superette (New Zealand, parts of Canada, and in parts of the US), corner store (many parts of English-speaking Canada and New England), dépanneur or dep (used in Canada, primarily Quebec, in both English and French.

Customers benefit from their longer open hours, more convenient and greater number of locations and shorter cashier lines. In some countries, convenience stores have long shopping hours and some remain open 24 hours.Ĭonvenience stores usually charge significantly higher prices than conventional grocery stores or supermarkets, as they buy smaller quantities of inventory at higher per-unit prices from wholesalers. It may be located alongside a busy road, in an urban area, near a railway or railroad station or other transport hub. They differ from general stores and village shops in that they are not in a rural location and are used as a convenient supplement to larger stores.Ī convenience store may be part of a gas/petrol station, so customers can purchase goods while refuelling their vehicle. Some also offer to sell tickets or recharge a smart card, like the OPUS card in Montreal. Such stores may also offer money order and wire transfer services, along with the use of a fax machine or photocopier for a small per-copy cost. In some jurisdictions, convenience stores are licensed to sell alcoholic drinks, although many such jurisdictions limit such beverages to those with relatively low alcohol content such as beer and wine. A convenience store, convenience shop, corner store or corner shop is a small retail business that stocks a range of everyday items such as coffee, groceries, snack foods, confectionery, soft drinks, ice creams, tobacco products, lottery tickets, over-the-counter drugs, toiletries, newspapers and magazines.

Gas stations open 24 7