Growing convenience: Competition drives stores to expand offerings, amenities

[thelakelander]

A good article on the competition between convenience stores and gas stations throughout the region:

Convenience stores are a staple of life these days, providing a quick stop for gas, food, cigarettes beer and really big sodas. Americans spend more money in those stores and at those pumps than they do in supermarkets. And as with so many things recently in the Jacksonville area, competition is heating up.
Gate Petroleum will be adding 10 to 12 stores in Northeast Florida the next year or two. Daily's is getting much busier, particularly in San Marco and along San Jose Boulevard, adding two stores directly across the street from Gate stores.

Every Kangaroo Express, the largest chain in the area, is being converted to the Circle K brand. Race Trac, like the others, is opening stores bigger than it once did.

And then there's Wawa, which develops a huge following wherever it goes. The company confirmed recently that it plans to open up to 25 stores in the area over the next few years.

On top of that, convenience stores are bigger than they've ever been with more pumps outside and more emphasis on ready-to-eat food inside, often complete with tables and Wi-Fi.

http://jacksonville.com/business/2016-03-05/story/growing-convenience-competition-drives-stores-expand-offerings-amenities