Convenience retailers saw modest current value growth in South Africa in 2024. The performance of convenience retailers continued to benefit from the channel’s rapid expansion in high-density urban areas, supported by the prevalence of the franchise model, which allows new investors to enter the market with limited financial commitment and additional support from franchisors. The channel is also benefiting from improvements in power supply, enabling extended operating hours without incurring add

Despite a solid performance, convenience retailers in Germany recorded slower growth in 2024. This was driven by a return to a more stable trading environment following the high growth witnessed in 2022 and 2023 due to a post-pandemic rebound, alongside the historically high single-digit inflation, which pushed up average transactions.

The expansion of convenience retailers in Morocco continued in 2024, supported by increasing urbanisation and evolving consumer routines. With more consumers living in densely populated areas and leading faster-paced lives, demand for proximity retail formats offering swift and practical shopping experiences has risen. In response, several retailers have opened new stores strategically located near residential areas, offering quick access to daily necessities. At the same time, appetite for larg

In 2024, convenience retailers in Mexico saw growth driven by a continued expansion in the number of outlets. Major players OXXO, 7-Eleven, and Circle K all expanded their store base at a faster pace than recorded in the previous year. This is part of a strategy to increase proximity to consumers and leverage the convenience of the distribution channel amid growing competition from the omnichannel strategies of other retailers - such as supermarkets - which are making grocery shopping more conve

Convenience stores tend to be a bit more expensive than regular grocery stores and have a more limited selection and variety of products. Despite this, convenience stores enjoy a high level of popularity among Swiss consumers due to their generally longer opening hours (often open 24/7 or at least until midnight or 01.00hrs). Most outlets are also located in convenient locations, either in high traffic areas or remote locations with few to no other grocery retailers. Convenience stores tend to b

The performance of convenience retailers in Nigeria in 2024 was significantly affected by inflationary pressure, which drove up operating costs and limited investment in the channel. As a result, the number of outlets declined, and retail value sales remained under pressure in constant terms. Convenience stores also faced growing competition from discounters, which continued to attract price-sensitive consumers with more affordable offers. Additionally, the widespread presence of traditional ret

Convenience retailers is a relatively small channel in India, with low penetration, and outlets are predominantly located in tier-1 and tier-2 cities. Convenience stores accounts for a far higher share of sales than forecourt retailers, although the latter saw stronger growth in value sales in 2024. Although the dramatic decline in the number of outlets seen in convenience retailers in India in 2022 and 2023 stabilised in 2024, little growth was seen. Coupled with increased current value sales i

Convenience retailers in the United Arab Emirates continued to record steady value growth in 2024, driven by favourable socioeconomic conditions, including a consistent rise in population and expansion of neighbourhoods, steady economic growth and a rise in urbanisation.

Convenience retailers in Egypt experienced a strong performance in 2024, benefitting from the rise in dual-income households and increasingly time-pressed urban lifestyles. As consumers prioritised speed and accessibility, proximity stores offering diversified product ranges gained traction, particularly among middle-income shoppers. The ongoing urban sprawl, population growth and higher penetration of modern retail formats contributed to increased demand. This trend was further reinforced by th

Amid ongoing economic uncertainty, local consumers continued to prioritise convenience in 2024, driving footfall in both convenience stores and forecourt retailers in the UK. With rising urbanisation and busier lifestyles, quick and frequent shopping trips have become increasingly common, strengthening the relevance of this retail format. While convenience retailers historically commanded premium pricing, the cost-of-living crisis in the UK has prompted various players to introduce a wider range

Prevailing economic uncertainty, price pressures and weak consumer confidence meant that many people continued to focus on reducing their spending on non-essentials in 2024. Furthermore, many shoppers also prioritised value and affordability. As a result, grocery retailers with more aggressive pricing strategies gained traction, with particularly strong competition coming from discounters. This placed mounting pressure on convenience retailers, with forecourt retailers and convenience stores bot

Convenience retailers saw current value growth in Ukraine in 2024. Players in the channel continued to adapt swiftly to wartime conditions, proving more resilient than larger grocery formats. Their smaller store size enabled quicker reopening after air raid alerts and easier use of generators during power outages. As inflation squeezed household budgets, consumers relied on convenience stores for essential goods, leading to strong sales in staple categories. Chains such as ATB and Kolo expanded

In 2024, convenience retailers in the Czech Republic posted further growth in current value sales. Convenience stores registered strong growth, much faster than in 2023, although the increase in current value sales slowed in forecourt retailers. Overall, growth in 2022 and 2023 was mainly caused by price increases associated with high inflation. During this time, retail volume sales through the convenience channel decreased as consumers looked to economise and save. Some reduced or eschewed purc

In May 2023, the Japanese government reclassified COVID-19 from a Category 2 infectious disease, which was deemed extremely high-risk, to Category 5, aligning it with seasonal influenza. This significant change led to the relaxation of various pandemic measures, creating a widespread impression that the pandemic was over. As a result, Japanese people began to venture outdoors more frequently, and a noticeable shift occurred in the work environment, with a transition back from remote working to o

In 2024, retail value sales in convenience stores increased, and outlet numbers continued to expand. However, rising price points and frugal shopping behaviour of Slovak households, impacted sales. This was combined with negative consumer sentiment, and uncertainty due to potential new taxes, negatively affected spending in convenience stores.

Convenience retailers in South Korea continued to see growth in outlet numbers and current value sales in 2024. The share of convenience retailers also continued to rise within overall offline retail. While forecourt retailers maintained value growth in 2024, it was convenience stores which continued to see the best performance, rising from an already high base.

While value sales of convenience retailers in Australia, both via convenience stores and forecourt retailers, recorded low growth in 2024, the number of outlets in the channel continued to rise. A number of retailers expanded their networks during the year, including Ampol Ltd, 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd and APCO Service Stations Pty Ltd.

Convenience retail in Singapore saw changes in its competitive landscape in 2024. South Korean convenience store chain Emart24 entered the country in December 2022, introducing an array of Korean snacks, ready-to-eat meals and beverages, alongside seating for patrons to consume their purchases on the premises. At its height, Emart24 operated three outlets in Singapore, drawing on the strong local interest in South Korean popular culture to create a distinctive store concept. Items such as tteokb

Convenience retailers saw current value growth in Indonesia in 2024. During the year, both outlet numbers and value sales rose in the category. Convenience stores and forecourt retailers experienced similar growth trends in 2024. The addition of outlets in areas outside Java by the two brands with the largest store networks in this category, Indomaret and Alfamart, was the main driver of growth in outlet numbers in 2024.

Convenience retailers was the second fastest-growing grocery retail channel in Saudi Arabia over 2024, following the rapidly expanding discounter model. Players are capitalising on the rapid pace of urbanisation and infrastructure development in Saudi Arabia to expand their network of convenience stores. The increase in the number of outlets is supported by the lower investment required to establish or expand this grocery retail format, relative to other categories. Tamimi Express and Danube Exp

Despite a marginal decline in 2024, driven by the dominant convenience stores, value sales through convenience retailers in Hong Kong remained significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, while the number of outlets continued to rise. The channel is appreciated for offering products at more competitive prices than other retail formats in the city, including packaged sandwiches for on-the-go consumption. Although holding much lower share, forecourt retailers recorded positive growth in both val

Convenience stores already charge higher prices compared to the modern channel, as consumers are normally willing to pay more at local stores where they stock up on a few essentials. With consumers becoming increasingly price sensitive in this economic climate, and prices rising, convenience stores have suffered with lower footfall and declining transactional sales. Consumers opted to shop at supermarkets or online as they hunt for better deals during the current cost of living crisis. In doing

Convenience stores in Vietnam recorded sustained growth in 2024, particularly in major urban centres such as Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. A busy and modern lifestyle fuels this trend, and younger consumers - especially Gen Z and students - are increasingly drawn to the wide product selection and air-conditioned dining spaces that differentiate these stores from traditional channels. Although prices can be higher than in other retail outlets, convenience stores remain cheaper than most restaurants or c

Convenience retailers benefitted from an ongoing increase in outlets in Portugal in 2024, which is cited to be at the detriment of small local grocers. This outlet expansion is due to partnerships with large distribution networks, with logistical support offered through the partnerships themselves, along with the availability of various discounts and loyalty cards, which continue to attract small independent retailers to join the larger networks. For example, Auchan Retail Portugal continues to