That sales trend is continuing through this spring, with sales in gas and convenience stores for the week ended April 4 up 20% over the same period in 2019, according to market research firm Numerator.
7-Eleven says that it has seen basket size grow “significantly,” according to a spokeswoman, who attributed the rise to customers buying in bulk including grocery items normally bought elsewhere, during the pandemic.
To keep up with new shopping habits and demand, the retailer has partnered with delivery services such as Uber Eats, Grubhub and Instacart. The 70,000-unit chain has also introduced new concept stores, called “Evolution stores,” that serve as a testing ground for new innovations including a drive-through restaurant.