The U.S. convenience store industry, with nearly 145,000 stores
across the country, posted $511 billion in total sales in 2009,
with $328 billion in motor fuels sales. In Spanish-speaking areas
of the U.S., convenience stores are often times called a "bodega",
which literally means "warehouse" in Spanish.
The first chain convenience store in the United States was
opened in Dallas, Texas in 1927 by the Southland Ice Company, which
eventually became 7-Eleven, the largest convenience store
chain.
In 1939, a dairy owner named J.J. Lawson started a store at his
dairy plant near Akron, Ohio, to sell his milk. The Lawson's Milk
Company grew to a chain of stores, primarily in Ohio.
Circle K, another large company-owned convenience store chain,
was founded in 1951. Since that time many different convenience
store brands have developed, and their stores may either be
corporate-owned or franchises.
The items offered for sale tend to be similar despite store
brand, and almost always include milk, bread, soft drinks,
cigarettes, phone cards, coffee, slushees, candy bars, Twinkies,
Slim Jims, hot dogs, ice cream, candy, gum, lip balm, chips,
pretzels, popcorn, beef jerky, doughnuts, maps, magazines,
newspapers, small toys, car supplies, cat food, dog food, and
toilet paper. Other less common items include sandwiches, pizza,
and frozen foods. Nearly all convenience stores also have an
automated teller machine (ATM), though other banking services are
usually not available. State lottery tickets are also available at
these stores. Some convenience stores in the United States also
sell gasoline. Only 2,500 stores had self-serve at the pump by
1969. It wasn't until the 1970s that retailers realized selling
gasoline could be profitable — and competitive.
In 1966, the U.S. convenience store industry first recorded $1
billion in sales. By the end of the decade, the industry had
recorded $3.5 billion a year in sales. By the late 1960s, the
amount of 24-hour convenience stores increased to meet the needs of
a younger population and people who were working late night or
early morning shifts. Not surprisingly, the first 24-hour store
opened in Las Vegas in 1963.