What convenience stores are has historically been inscribed in the term. Convenience: "something (such as an appliance, device, or service) conducive to comfort or ease," according to Merriam-Webster.

Need a snack? Beverage? Maybe gasoline or access to a public bathroom. Convenience stores are often just down the street, around a corner, ready to satisfy. But a recent report from Placer.ai, a vendor of foot traffic data and analysis, suggests that the establishments, also called C-stores, "have thrived in recent years, making inroads into the discretionary dining space and growing both their audiences and their sales," the firm wrote.

In the 12-month period from April 2023 through March 2024, "experienced consistent year-over-year (YoY) visit growth, generally outperforming Overall Retail." That didn't hold true during the end-of-year holiday shopping season but picked up again this January.