C-store Chains Climb STORES Top 100 Retailer List

NEW YORK -- Despite an economy that wracked retailers, 2008 was a good year for the convenience store chains on STORES Top 100 Retailers list—both the number of retailers and their ranking on the list increased.

Retail channels that fared better than others on the list included supercenter, dollar store, price-impact grocers and other discount channels. Meanwhile, food retailing has been driving the industry, according to the report.

The top spot on the list goes again to Walmart, which is benefiting from its status as discount food retailer. The Top 100 companies are ranked by sales volume, with figures compiled by London-based research firm Planet Retail, the report stated.

Leading the c-store group is Dallas-based 7-Eleven at No. 22, moving up seven spots from last year. The largest c-store retailer saw revenue of $16.6 billion, according to the report.

On 7-Eleven's heels, at No. 23, is Pilot Travel Centers. The Knoxville, Tenn.-based truck stop operator, which did not place on the list last year, saw $16.5 billion in sales for 2008.

Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard also moved up on the list, jumping six spots to No. 25. The company generated $15.5 billion in sales through its Circle K, Mac's and Couche-Tard banners in 2008.

Love's Travel Stops, based in Oklahoma City, landed at No. 31 with $12.4 billion in sales.

The only major oil company to make the list, Valero, jumped up five spots to No. 34, with $10.5 billion in sales.

The next convenience retailer on the Top 100 list is Sanford, N.C.-based The Pantry Inc., at No. 43 with $8.9 billion in sales. It advanced seven spots from last year's list.

Close behind and making a dramatic jump in rank is QuikTrip Corp., based in Tulsa, Okla., at the 45th spot. The convenience store retailer placed 75th last year.

Another mover is Atlanta-based RaceTrac Petroleum, which secured its spot at No. 47 with $8 billion in sales. It previously placed 68th.

TravelCenters of America climbed nine spots to No. 49, at $7.6 billion in sales.

Meanwhile, Casey's General Stores saw its hold slip, falling from No. 70 to No. 77 on the Top 100 list.

Two c-store chains making the list this year are Corpus Christi, Texas-based Susser Holdings, at No. 80, and Sheetz Inc. of Altoona, Pa., at No. 83. These convenience store retailers saw revenues of $4.2 billion and $4.1 billion, respectively.

Rounding out STORES Top 100 list for 2009 is Wawa, at No. 99. The retailer fell two spots to its current post, and generated $3.3 billion in sales.

Related News:

C-stores Dominate STORES Top 100 Retailer List
X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds