As 2025 unfolds, convenience stores continue to adapt to shifting consumer behaviors, economic pressures and emerging industry innovations. Inflation remains high, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 3% over the 12 months ending in January 2025, compared to 2.6% in October, 2.75% in November and 2.89% in December.
While this is still an improvement from the 8% and 9% inflation rates seen in 2022, consumers are still feeling the squeeze as already-high prices continue to climb.
C-store retailers are feeling the effects of inflation on the performance of a number of key categories as customers increasingly seek out value and change spending patterns in the face of continued sticker shock. While value often translates to lower prices, it can also mean higher-quality or even premium items that justify a higher spend.
Euromonitor International’s “Top Global Consumer Trends 2025” listed “Wiser Wallets” as a key trend in 2025, noting that added value is a consumer expectation across the globe in 2025 amid rising costs.
Download CStore Decisions’ 2025 Category Management Handbook here.
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