Gas station Convenience Stores

A convenience store at a gas station is a small retail business that sells everyday use items such as coffee, groceries, snacks, cigarettes, soft drinks, tourists related products, over-the-counter drugs, toiletries, newspapers, magazines, etc.

A convenience store is a part of a gas/petrol station to purchase goods conveniently while filling their vehicle with fuel.

The convenience stores located at the gas stations have a reliable growth rate; however, their profitability directly depends on gasoline and petrol sales and prices. This business model is observing an exponential rise in recent years due to increasing urbanization and road networks.

Petrol companies are investing in setting up small stores within petrol pumps as this business model has evolved successfully as a safe one-stop shopping when the customer is on the road or on a trip.

Things to consider while operating a Gas Station convenience store

Convenience stores at gas stations are a hybrid of the grocery store and retail chain industry. Having an attached convenience store can be a wise use of space for petrol companies as it would increase their revenue.

The growth of convenience stores heavily depends upon customer experience and community engagement. While most retail stores’ norms apply the same to convenience stores, there are some specific aspects to consider, such as the store layout of the gas station convenience store and the profit margin of the gas station convenience store.

Besides this, some other things to consider are:

1. Policies & Procedure Manuals

A police and procedure manual is a detailed document that is crucial for a business to run successfully. It has all the details, policies, rules, procedures, and SOPs that the employees must follow.

Be it a single store or a retail chain, or a convenience store. There is a dire need to apply policies, procedures, and guidelines to run your business well.

2. Inventory Management - TOC Concept

Inventory management refers to the availability of the stock at the right place, at the right time, and the right cost price. One needs to look at the Theory of Constraints (TOC)
as it is a concept that serves as the theoretical base of supply chain management. This model describes the relation of variables in business about how cash flow-based profitability is impacted from decision-making in the supply chain in terms of time.

3. Supply Chain Optimization

Through smooth coordination between logistics and supply chain management, gas station convenience stores could be very efficient in working and experience an increase in profits on the balance sheet. Ensuring continuous supply of goods in demand, reducing operation costs, no shortage of goods, and delivering products to the customer at the least possible price and high profit are some factors to consider.

In a nutshell, providing the product on-demand at the right price, place, and time is the crucial role of a well-managed supply chain optimization.

4. Warehouse Operations

Warehouse operations cover the process of receiving, organizing, fulfilment, and distribution process. To increase the efficiency of operations, reducing cost, and balancing it with the customer’s satisfaction in terms of delivery time, availability can be achieved by effective warehouse management.

The primary things such as the best utilization of available space, proper equipment and labour at the least possible cost can not be overlooked. Depending upon the needs of the target of your gas convenience store business, the management strategy could vary.

5. Strong Integrated IT Systems

An integrated IT system with your delivery process, warehouse, finance and managing team could be very effective. A robust IT system could very well reduce the cost of operations and manage your business to meet the needs of customers and enable smooth flow of information within the gas convenience store employees.

In today's scenario, where technology has almost overcome all challenges related to the businesses, the success of your retail chain of gas convenience stores is highly dependent upon a robust IT system.

How YRC can help?

At YRC, we can assist an entrepreneur with the opening and functioning of a convenience store at the gas station. From layout planning and creating SOPs to performance audit checklists and expansion strategies, our team of professionals has the necessary expertise, resources and knowledge to ensure that your convenience store business runs successfully.

Contact Your Retail Coach to overcome the challenges associated with the gas station convenience store business.
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