Convenience store
47419
225625245
2008-07-14T16:48:02Z
68.43.254.216
/* External links */
{{Refimprove|date=June 2007}}
A '''convenience store''' is a small store or '''shop'''. They are often located alongside busy roads, or at [[Gas station|gas/petrol stations]]. This can take the form of gas stations supplementing their income with retail outlets, or convenience stores adding gas to the list of goods that they offer. [[Train station|Railway station]]s also often have convenience stores. They are also frequently located in densely-populated urban neighborhoods.
[[Image:conv.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Convenience store in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]]]
==Goods on offer==
Sometimes abbreviated to '''c-store''', various types exist, for example: [[liquor store]]s ([[off-licence]]s – offies), mini-markets (mini-marts) or party stores. Typically [[junk food]] ([[candy]], [[ice-cream]], [[soft drinks]]), [[lottery]] tickets, [[newspapers]] and [[magazine]]s are sold. Unless the outlet is a liquor store, the range of alcohol beverages is likely to be limited (i.e. [[beer]] and [[wine]]) or non-existent. Most stores carry [[cigarette]]s and other [[tobacco]] products. Varying degrees of food and [[grocery]] supplies are usually available, from household products, to prepackaged [[food]]s like [[sandwich]]es and frozen [[burrito (food)|burrito]]s. Automobile-related items such as motor oil, [[map]]s and car kits may be sold. Often toiletries and other hygiene products are stocked, as well as feminine hygiene and [[contraception]]. Some of these stores also offer [[money order]]s and [[wire transfer]] services.
The most common type of foods offered in convenience stores are [[breakfast sandwich]]es and other [[breakfast]] food. Throughout [[Europe]] convenience stores now sell fresh [[bread|French bread]] (or similar). A process of freezing part-baked bread allows easy shipment (often from France) and baking in-store. Some stores have a delicatessen counter, offering custom-made sandwiches and [[baguette]]s. Some stores have racks offering fresh delivered or baked [[doughnuts]] from local doughnut shops. Some stores have a self-service [[microwave oven]] for heating purchased food – in Hong Kong, convenience stores even provide lunch and dinner.
In the [[USA]], some [[fast food]] chains like [[Chick-fil-a]] offer a counter in convenience stores. Instead of cooking food in the store, these counters offer a limited menu of items delivered several times a day from a local branch of the restaurant.
Convenience stores may be combined with other services, such as a train station ticket counter or a [[post office]] counter,petrol pump.
==Differences from supermarkets==
Although larger, newer convenience stores have quite a broad range of items, the selection is still limited compared to supermarkets, and in many stores only 1 or 2 choices are available.
Prices in a convenience store are typically higher than at a [[supermarket]], mass merchandise store, or auto supply store (with the exception of the goods such as milk, soda and fuel in which convenience stores traditionally do high volume and sometimes use as [[loss leader]]s{{Fact|date=June 2008}}).
In the [[United States]], the stores will sometimes be the only stores and services near an [[interstate highway]] exit where drivers can buy any kind of food or drink for miles. Most of the profit margin from these stores comes from [[beer]], [[liquor]], and [[cigarette]]s. Although those three categories themselves usually yield lower margins per item, the amount of sales in these categories generally makes up for it. Profits per item are much higher on deli items (bags of ice, chicken, etc), but sales are generally lower.
In some countries most convenience stores have longer [[shopping hours]], some being open 24 hours.
==Convenience stores by country==
===Convenience stores in Canada===
[[Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.]], which operates [[Couche-Tard]], [[Provi-Soir]], [[Dépanneur 7]], [[Mac's Convenience Stores]] and [[Beckers Milk]], is the largest convenience store chain in Canada. Another large chain is Quickie Mart, which predates the "Kwik-E-Mart" featured on [[The Simpsons]].
The world's largest convenience retailer, [[7-Eleven]], has about 500 locations from [[British Columbia|BC]] to [[Ontario]]. Worldwide, the highest number of the chain's famous [[Slurpee]] beverages are sold in [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]; the city is known as the "Slurpee Capital of the World".
Marketing itself as "more than just a convenience store," there are over 150 [[Hasty Market]] locations throughout Ontario.
Convenience stores are also commonly referred to as "corner stores" or "variety stores" in some regions of Canada. In the mostly French-speaking province of [[Quebec]], a convenience store is known as a "[[dépanneur]]," or "dep" for short[http://www.arts.mcgill.ca/programs/linguistics/faculty/boberg/Articles/n_american_survey/N_American_Survey.htm]. "Dépanneur" means literally "one who gets you out of a jam".
===Convenience stores in Japan===
[[Image:Lawson Japan.jpg|thumb|right|Lawson Terauchicho 1Chome Shop (Moriguchi, Osaka, Japan)]]
Although originated in the [[United States]], convenience stores developed tremendously in [[Japan]]. [[7-Eleven]] Japan, while struggling to localize their service in the 1970s to 1980s, evolved its [[point of sale]]-based business. Ultimately, [[Seven & I Holdings Co.]], the parent company of 7-Eleven Japan, acquired 7-Eleven (US) from [[Southland Corporation]] in 1991. Japanese-styled convenience stores called ''konbini'' ([[:ja:コンビニ]]) also heavily influenced those stores in other [[Asia]]n nations, such as [[Taiwan]], [[Thailand]], [[South Korea]], and [[China]].
Convenience stores rely heavily on the point of sale. Customers' ages, gender, as well as tomorrow's weather forecast, are important data. All orders are made on-line. As their store sizes are limited, they have to be very careful in choosing what brands to sell.
In many cases, several same-chained stores exist in neighboring areas. This strategy, called ''dominant'', makes distribution to each store cheaper. ([[:ja:ドミナント政策]]) It also makes multiple distributions per a day possible. Generally, foods are delivered to each store two to five times a day from factories. Since products are delivered as needed, stores do not need large stock areas.
As of 2005, there were 43,667 convenience stores in Japan. [http://www.nikkei.co.jp/report/conveni/] Among them, 7-Eleven leads the market with 11,310 stores, followed by [[Lawson (store)|Lawson]] and [[FamilyMart]].
Most items available in larger supermarkets can be found in Japanese convenience stores. In addition, the following additional services are also commonly available:
* [[Courier]], or [[mail|postal service]].
* [[Photocopying]], or [[fax]] service.
* [[automated teller machine|ATM]]s.
* Utilities and other bills and tax payment service.
* Tickets service for [[concert]]s, [[amusement park|theme parks]], [[airlines]] etc
Some stores also sell:
* Charging service for [[electronic money]].
* ATM services for [[credit card]] or [[consumer finance]].
Items not commonly sold include:
* [[Slurpee]]s, [[Lottery]] tickets, [[Car]] supplies, and [[Gasoline]].
===Convenience stores in Singapore===<!-- This section is linked from [[Convenience stores in Singapore]] -->
{{see also|Mama shop}}
Major convenience stores in [[Singapore]] are [[7-Eleven]] owned by [[Dairy Farm International Holdings]] and [[Cheers (convenience store)|Cheers]] owned by [[NTUC Fairprice]].<ref name=pwc> "Price Waterhouse Coopers. (2005/2006). Singapore. From Beijing to Budapest: Winning Brands, Winning Formats, 4, p. 189." </ref> Figures from the Singapore Department of Statistics showed that there are 338 7-Eleven stores and 91 Cheers outlets in 2004.<ref> "Upstart Mini-marts. (2006, October 22). The Sunday Times. " </ref> Other convenience stores such as Myshop and One Plus appeared in 1983. Myshop belongs to a [[Japanese company]], and One Plus belongs to Emporium Holdings.<ref> "Convenience Stores Pose Threat to Supermarkets. (1984, March 23). The Business Times." </ref>
Various reasons unique to Singapore have been given for the great popularity of convenience stores there. Convenience stores sell a wide range of imported goods, whereas minimarts and provision shops sell local products with a limited range of non-Asian products.<ref> "Price Waterhouse Coopers. (2005/2006). Singapore. From Beijing to Budapest: Winning Brands, Winning Formats, 4, p. 189." </ref> Convenience stores are situated within [[housing estates]] thus reducing [[consumers]]’ traveling time. Most [[families]] in Singapore are dual-income families.<ref> "Loh, Choon-Min James. (1988). The Adoption of A Retailing Innovation in A Newly Industrialising Country: The Modernisation of Local Provision Shops in Singapore. United Kingdom: The British Library, p. 61." </ref> Since both the husband and wife are working, there is greater need for [[convenience]] in [[shopping]] for daily necessities. The 24 hour opening policy allows convenience stores to reach out to a larger group of consumers. Firstly, the policy caters to the [[shopping]] needs of consumers who work shifts or have irregular working hours.<ref> "Can 24-hr marts thrive in S'pore?. (2005, May 15). The Straits Times." </ref> Secondly, the policy caters to the increasing number of Singaporeans who are keeping late nights. It was reported that 54% of [[Singaporeans]] stayed up past [[midnight]] in an economic review by [[Price Waterhouse Coopers]] (PWC) in 2005.<ref> "Price Waterhouse Coopers. (2005/2006). Singapore. From Beijing to Budapest: Winning Brands, Winning Formats, 4, p. 193." </ref>
====7-Eleven====
[[Image:uspmadeleine1a.jpg|frame|right|7-Eleven Under A Block of Flats]]
7-Eleven began the trend of [[convenience stores]] in [[Singapore]] when it opened its first store in 1982 by [[Jardine Matheson Group]], under a franchise agreement with Southland Corporation of the [[United States]].<ref> "The Business Times reports that in Singapore chains of mini-markets (or convenience stores) have rapidly sprung up to fill the gap between the large supermarkets and the neighbourhood stores (or provision shops). (1984, November 15). Business Times Singapore." </ref> [[Dairy Farm International Holdings]] acquired the chain from [[Jardine Matheson Group]] in 1989.<ref> "Dairy Farm reviewing 7-Eleven businesses in Singapore and Malaysia. (1989, April 12). Business Times Singapore." </ref>
The number of 7-Eleven outlets continued to increase in 1984 while other chains were having difficulty in expanding. One Plus was unable to expand due to the shortage of good sites. The original owners of the Myshop franchise, which had seven outlets, sold out to one of its [[suppliers]] due to a lack of demand.<ref> "The Business Times reports that in Singapore chains of mini-markets (or convenience stores) have rapidly sprung up to fill the gap between the large supermarkets and the neighbourhood stores (or provision shops). (1984, November 15). Business Times Singapore." </ref>
However, in 1985, 7-Eleven faced difficulty in finding favourable locations and failed to meet its one-store-a-month target. The situation improved in 1986 with a new [[Housing Development Board]] (HDB) tendering system, which allowed [[7-Eleven]] to secure shops without having to bid too high a price.<ref> "The 7-Eleven convenience store chain in Singapore, the franchise of which is held by Jardine Matheson, should nearly double its expected rate of opening one new store each month by the end of the year. (1986, November 5). Business Times Singapore." </ref>
7-Eleven stores are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a [[week]], including Sundays and [[public holidays]].<ref> "Loh, Choon-Min James. (1988). The Adoption of A Retailing Innovation in A Newly Industrialising Country: The Modernisation of Local Provision Shops in Singapore. United Kingdom: The British Library, p. 34." </ref> This 24/7 policy was seen as the reason that gave 7-Eleven its edge over its competitors.
In 1990, there was a rise in the number of shop thefts in 7-Eleven. The [[shoplifters]] were usually [[teenagers]] who stole small items such as [[chocolates]], [[cigarettes]] and [[beer]].<ref> "Convenience stores hit regularly by 'grabbers’. (1990, May 4). The Straits Times." </ref> In response to the increase in the number of thefts, 7-Eleven stepped up security measures, which successfully lowered the crime rate by 60%<ref> "Chain stores' anti-crime moves pay off with 60% drop in crime rate. (1991, December 1). The Straits Times." </ref>
====Cheers====
[[Image:uspmadeleine1cc.jpg|frame|right|20px|Notice Pasted at Cheers to deter shoplifters]]
[[Cheers (convenience store)|Cheers]] is owned by local corporation [[NTUC Fairprice]], started in 1999.<ref> "NTUC Link Pte. Ltd. (2005). Cheers. [Online]. Available: http://www.linkpoints.com.sg/linkpoints/merchants/merchant_subdetail.aspx?id=73" </ref> Cheers has adopted [[7-Eleven]]’s [[24/7]] model and took similar security measures to prevent cases of [[shop lifting]]. Convenience store owners seeking [[franchising]] seem to prefer Cheers over 7-Eleven, probably due to its cheaper franchise fee.<ref> "7-Eleven: Growing and getting closer to you. (2004, June 19). The Straits Times." </ref>
===Convenience stores in Taiwan===
[[Image:7 ELEVEn Outles in Sindian.jpg|thumb|280px|left|With the highest [[7-Eleven]] outlet density in the world, it is not an unusual scene seeing two 7-Eleven shops stand face to face in a same intersection in [[Taiwan]]. The distance between them might be less than 50 meters.]]
Boasting more than 9,100 convenience stores in an area of 35,980 km² and a population of 23 million, [[Taiwan]] has [[Asia Pacific]]’s and perhaps the world’s highest density of convenience stores per person: one store per 2,500 people or .000397 stores per person [http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BE%BF%E5%88%A9%E5%95%86%E5%BA%97 (convenience store - Wikipedia, October 2007)]. With 4,665 7-Eleven stores, Taiwan also has the world’s highest density of 7-Elevens per person: one store per 4,930 people or .000203 stores per person [http://www.7-eleven.com/about/globalsites.asp (International Licensing page of 7-Eleven website)]. In [[Taipei]], it is not unusual to see two 7-Elevens across the street or several of them within a few hundreds of meters of each other.
Because they are found everywhere, convenience stores in Taiwan provide services on behalf of financial institutions or government agencies such as collection of city parking fees, utility bills, traffic violation fines, and credit card payments. Eighty percent of urban household shoppers in Taiwan visit a convenience store each week [http://www.acnielsen.com.tw/news.asp?newsID=82 (2005 ACNielsen ShopperTrends)].
===United States===
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]]. Since that time many different convenience store [[brands]] have developed, and their stores may either be [[corporation|corporate]]-owned or [[franchising|franchises]]. The items offered for sale tend to be similar despite store brand, and almost always include [[milk]], [[bread]], [[soft drinks]], [[cigarettes]], [[phone card]]s, [[coffee]], [[slushee]]s, [[candy bars]], [[Twinkies]], [[Slim Jim (snack food)|Slim Jims]], [[hot dogs]], [[ice cream]], [[candy]], [[chewing gum|gum]], [[chips]], [[pretzels]], [[popcorn]], [[beef jerky]], [[doughnuts]], [[maps]], [[magazines]], [[newspapers]], small [[toys]], [[car]] supplies, [[feminine hygiene]] products, [[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]]. Policies regarding the sale of [[adult magazine]]s vary, but generally larger chains (such as 7-Eleven and Casey's General Stores) do not sell these items, while smaller independent stores may do so. One notable exception to this "rule" is fast-growing regional chain [[Sheetz]], which does sell some [[soft-core pornography|soft-core pornographic]] material such as [[Playboy]] (including its various "special" issues), [[Penthouse (magazine)|Penthouse]], and [[Playgirl]].
Because the laws regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages vary from state to state in the United States, the availability of [[beer]], [[wine]], and [[liquor]] varies greatly. For example, while convenience stores in [[Alaska]], [[Pennsylvania]] and [[New Jersey]] cannot sell any kind of alcohol at all, stores in [[Nevada]] and [[California]] may sell alcoholic beverages of any sort, while stores in [[Virginia]], [[Washington]], or [[Oregon]] can sell beer and wine, but not liquor. Similar to grocery stores, convenience stores in [[New York]] can sell beer only, not wine or liquor. [[Sheetz]], which is based in [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]] and specializes in "Made-To-Order" (MTO) foods that are generally higher-quality than normally seen in a convenience store, tried to find a [[loophole]] in 2007 by classifying part of one of their prototype stores in Altoona as a [[restaurant]], which would permit alcohol sales.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-01-2007/0004518282&EDATE= Sheetz, Inc. Announces Alcohol Sales in Pennsylvania<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, state courts in [[Pennsylvania]] promptly overruled this.<ref>[http://kdka.com/local/beer.sales.Sheetz.2.387795.html kdka.com - Court Rules Against Beer In Convenience Store<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Sheetz continues to sell alcohol in other states.
American convenience stores are often a direct target of [[armed robbery]]. In some areas of the United States, it is not uncommon for clerks to work behind a [[bulletproof glass]] window, even during daylight hours. The main dangers are that almost all convenience stores have only one person working the night shift, most of the transactions are in cash, and easily resold merchandise, such as liquor, [[lottery ticket]]s and [[cigarette]]s are on the premises. Most convenience stores have a cash drop slot into a time-delay [[safe]] so clerks may limit the amount of cash on hand. Many have installed [[security camera]]s to help prevent robberies and [[shoplifting]].
Because of their vulnerability to crime, nearly all convenience stores have a friendly relationship with the local [[police]]. Some even provide a small police [[substation]] in the store, and traditionally provide free coffee to [[police officers]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. Police officers often patrol the [[parking lot]] of a convenience store, especially after the closing time of bars to apprehend [[Drunkenness|drunk drivers]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}}.
====Regional names====
Regional differences in terms exist.
In certain parts of the [[Midwest]], especially [[Michigan]], locals prefer to use the term ''party store'' or ''corner store''. The term party store is said to come from post prohibition times when you could buy liquor or beer again, hence to throw a party.
In [[New York City]], independent convenience stores are almost always referred to as ''Deli'' or ''Bodega''.
In [[New England]], a number of regional terms are used to refer to small, independent convenience stores. In Northern New England (e.g. Maine, New Hampshire), some convenience stores bear the name "superette." In the [[Merrimack Valley]] of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the term "variety store" is often used. A Massachusetts-specific term (found most often in the Boston area) for a small convenience store is "spa", though this term has become less common in recent years.
In the [[San Antonio]] region of [[Texas]], a convenience store is commonly referred to as an "icehouse."{{what}}
==Similar concepts==
Convenience stores to some extent replaced the old-fashioned [[general store]]. They are similar but not identical to [[Australia]]n [[milk bar]]s. In Britain, corner shops in towns and village shops in the countryside served similar purposes and were the precursors to the modern European convenience store (e.g. [[SPAR]]). In the [[Canada|Canadian]] province of [[Quebec]], [[dépanneur]]s are often family-owned neighbourhood shops that serve similar purposes.
[[Truck stop]]s, also known as "travel centers" combine a shop offering similar goods to a convenience store with amenities for [[truck driver|professional drivers]] of [[Semi-trailer truck]]s. This may include fast food restaurants, showers and facilities for buying large quantities of [[diesel fuel]]. The equivalent in Europe is the motorway service center.
Neighborhood grocery stores not big enough to be considered a supermarket often compete with convenience stores. For example, in Los Angeles, CA, a local chain operates neighborhood grocery stores that fill a niche between a traditional supermarket and convenience store. Because they stock fresh fruit and fresh meat and carry upwards of 5000 items, they have a lot in common with the supermarket. Due to the relatively small store size, customers can get in and out conveniently, or have purchases delivered.
==Convenience stores in popular culture==
{{Trivia|date=December 2007}}
A Quick Stop convenience store in [[Leonardo, New Jersey]] was the primary setting for the movie ''[[Clerks]]''. Another film centered around convenience stores is [[Michael Winterbottom]]'s ''[[Butterfly Kiss]]'' (1995), featuring [[Amanda Plummer]] as a demented killer of convenience store clerks.
The eponymous characters of ''[[Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure]]'' (1989) first meet their [[time-travel]] guide, Rufus, while hanging out in front of a convenience store, with Ted declaring that "strange things are afoot at the Circle-K."
In [[George Sluizer|George Sluizer's]] ''[[The Vanishing (1988 film)|The Vanishing]]'' (1988), remade in 1993, a woman is abducted at a roadside convenience store.
[[Apu]], a stereotyped immigrant character in ''[[The Simpsons]]'', runs a fictional [[Kwik-E-Mart]].
In [[Dennis Etchison]]'s horror short story, "The Late Shift" (originally in Kirby McCauley's anthology ''Dark Forces'', 1980, and [http://www.writers.com/publishing/infrapress/etchison.html excerpted here]), the undead work nights at the Stop 'N Start Market and other convenience stores.
In [[Twin Peaks]], and its prequel movie ''[[Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me]]'' the characters BOB and Mike are said to "live above a convenience store".
The ''[[Paul Simon]]'' Song, ''[[Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes]]'', has the line 'She said, honey, take me dancing/but they ended up by sleeping in a doorway/by the bodegas and the lights on upper broadway...
The fictional "Lucky Dragon" convenience store chain figures prominently in [[William Gibson]]'s [[The Bridge trilogy]].
The film "[[Half Baked]]" spoofs [[bodega]]s as stocking old items as a front to sell [[marijuana|weed]].
Many British TV shows feature the changing fortunes of small shops of this sort, more often known in the British Isles as the corner shop in towns or the village shop in the countryside. Examples include the [[BBC]] comedy show ''[[Open All Hours]]'', soap operas such as ''[[Coronation Street]]'' even the [[BBC Radio 4]] soap opera, ''[[The Archers]]''. The history and fortunes of many leading British retailers such as [[Marks and Spencer]] and [[Sainsbury's]] are made reference to in the rags to riches drama ''[[A Woman of Substance]]'', the debut novel of [[Barbara Taylor Bradford]], dramatised for TV in the 1980s. The indie band [[Cornershop]] is based on the stereotype of [[British Asian]] families running the convenience stores.
==See also==
* [[List of convenience stores]]
* [[Bodeguita]]
* [[General store]]
* [[Gas station]]
* [[Take a penny, leave a penny]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://japonismo.com Japonismo.com] Traditional and modern Japanese culture, with an article devoted to Japanese convenience stores (Spanish).
* [http://c-storejobs.blogspot.com/ Convenience Store Blog]
* [http://www.csdecisions.com/ Convenience Store Decisions] (convenience store industry trade publication)
{{Convenience stores}}
[[Category:Convenience stores| ]]
[[Category:Retailers]]
[[Category:Distribution, retailing, and wholesaling]]
[[Category:Marketing]]
[[zh-min-nan:Piān-lī kám-á-tiàm]]
[[pdc:Greizwegschtor]]
[[de:Convenience Shop]]
[[es:Tienda de conveniencia]]
[[eo:Oportuna butiko]]
[[fr:Épicerie de quartier]]
[[zh-classical:便利店]]
[[ko:편의점]]
[[id:Toko kelontong]]
[[nl:Gemakswinkel]]
[[ja:コンビニエンスストア]]
[[pt:Loja de conveniência]]
[[zh:便利商店]]