RETHINK Retail’s 2025 NACS Report:

The Field Guide to Modern C-Stores

Convenience has always been about meeting people where they are; but today’s leading C-stores are redefining what that means. Once synonymous with fuel and speed, the modern convenience retailer now competes on quality, connection, and consistency. From premium foodservice programs to mobile-first experiences, the category continues to evolve—shaping daily routines and redefining expectations for quick commerce.

Developed in collaboration with RETHINK Retail and industry partners, the Field Guide to Modern C-Stores explores how retailers are fueling the continued evolution of convenience through digital infrastructure, unified commerce, and experience-led design. Featuring insights from Diebold Nixdorf, VTEX, T-Mobile for Business, and VusionGroup, the guide unpacks the trends, tools, and behaviors shaping the future of the C-store experience.

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Where Convenience Is Headed Next

Convenience retail isn’t undergoing a revolution—it’s reaching its next stage of maturity.

The Field Guide to Modern C-Stores looks at how core trends like foodservice, mobile engagement, and personalized loyalty are solidifying into competitive differentiators that define the leaders of 2025 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

Foodservice Becomes the Core Experience

C-stores are evolving from snack stops to meal destinations. With made-to-order kitchens, local flavors, and digital ordering options, foodservice is now a brand’s biggest loyalty driver—and a core revenue engine. Operators like Wawa and Buc-ee’s have set a new standard that others are racing to meet.

Mobile-First Is the New Baseline

Consumers no longer see mobile as an add-on—it’s the expectation. Order-ahead, tap-to-pay, and personalized app rewards are the new essentials. Supported by 5G infrastructure and real-time data, mobile is connecting forecourts, shelves, and shoppers like never before.

Loyalty Moves from Points to Personalization

The loyalty leaders are those who treat data as dialogue. Using time-of-day offers, trip missions, and geolocation, operators are delivering rewards that feel uniquely relevant—building long-term relationships, not just transactions.

EV and CPG Partnerships Redefine the In-Store Moment

As EV adoption grows, so does dwell time—and with it, opportunity. Retailers are enhancing charging areas with premium food, micro-retail zones, and digital engagement. Meanwhile, CPG collaborations are turning the shelf into a storytelling space, where exclusive drops and value-aligned products create shareable, on-trend experiences.