How Tech Has Transformed C-Stores

As convenience stores evolve from fuel-and-snack pit stops to full-blown foodservice and retail destinations, technology is rapidly reshaping the guest experience. While speed continues to be a key reason patrons visit c-stores—technology has allowed operators to offer perks beyond speed. Things like personalization, digital convenience and seamless payment all play key roles in today’s c-store experiences.

So, what does a seamless tech-enabled experience look like? How do you make every visit the best it can be? How do you use tech to ease the load on staff and guests? Let’s get into it.

Over the last five years, tech has changed how c-stores operate. Here are some of the biggest technological innovations that have shaken up the industry, and some pitfalls to avoid if and when you implement them yourself.

Benefits

• Speeds up visits and eliminates checkout lines.
• Quick and independent shopping experience helps staff monitor and assist several customers at once.⁷
• Enables swift consumer flow during peak shopping times.⁷

Considerations

• Position self-checkouts near manned registers to reduce theft, ensure age verification for restricted items and allow employees to assist if needed.²
• Ensure kiosks accept cash, loyalty cards, fuel payments and coupons from day one so they don't hinder the guest experience.⁵
• Kiosks may reduce store browsing, limiting unplanned purchases that drive revenue.²

Benefits

• Mobile apps allow c-store operators to compete with quick-service restaurants and enable first-party delivery and pickup order placement.
• Integration with third-party delivery partners like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub can boost delivery and pickup orders.

Considerations

• Ensure employees are trained and ready to pack and manage pick-up and delivery orders accurately.

Benefits

• Digital displays can deliver real-time content tailored to the shopper, with targeted campaigns that adapt based on shopper behavior, time of day or inventory levels.⁴
• These displays can create immersive, responsive environments that boost engagement, loyalty and conversion.⁴

Considerations

• Used effectively, digital signage enhances branding and storytelling, but excessive vendor ads dilute a C-store’s unique value.²

Benefits

• Smart shelves equipped with electronic shelf labels (ESLs), sensors, cameras and digital displays can provide real-time information about product availability, pricing and promotions
• Permanent connectivity to the cloud for enhanced efficiency and data gathering.⁶
• Can offer personalized recommendations and promotions based on customer preferences and purchase history.⁶

Considerations

• With Smart Shelves, privacy concerns may arise due to the data collected by sensors and cameras.⁹

SMART INTEGRATION 

How do you adopt technology in the smartest way? It’s important to keep in mind the staff and guest experience. Ultimately, technology should enhance – not replace – the hospitality and convenience that define your store. Here are four ways to help ensure you’re delivering the best experiences.

1. Don’t Over-Streamline

• Identify where your customers linger, where they impulse shop and where they need speed.
• C-stores are a place for impulse purchases. Most consumers enter a c-store knowing what they are looking for, but nearly half (47%) walk out having bought additional items.³
• The tech-enabled experience should guide them in their natural customer journey past what will prompt the greatest impulse with the greatest impact.²

2. Match Tech to Mission

• Identify your operational goals to identify the right tech for your c-store. Consider whether you are trying to reduce queues, free up attendants, or improve customer experience.²
• Evaluate what’s realistic for your location size, customer base, and layout.²

3. Don't Eliminate the Human Element

• Maintain human connection; your staff is still your best brand ambassador.
• If you’re known for great interaction between staff and your customers, too much tech-enabled service can erode that credibility.²

4. Pilot First, Scale Smart

• Before rolling out new technology across multiple stores, industry leaders advise starting with a controlled test in a single or small group of locations to avoid costly missteps.²
• This approach allows operators to assess how the tech performs in a real-world environment, identify unexpected challenges (such as traffic flow issues, prep bottlenecks or customer confusion) and gather frontline employee feedback.

Ready to explore more ways to improve the c-store experience? Start with the the widely popular grab-and-go snack that’s hard to pass up. And don’t forget to reach out to your Smucker Away From Home representative today for more support.

¹Technomic C-Store Whitepaper: Driving Value, Driving Traffic August 2024

²C-Store Dive, C-store 2.0: How technology is reshaping key design strategies, July 2024

³Datassential C-store Keynote Report January 2023

⁴C-Store Dive, Immersive aisles: How digital signage is reinventing the in-store experience, June 2025

⁵C-Store Dive, 5 ways c-store retailers can improve the self-checkout experience, May 2024

⁶C-Store Dive, Revolutionizing convenience stores: The role of smart technology in enhancing customer experience, April 2025

⁷C-Store Dive, Regional c-store chains ramp up self-checkout tech, February 2025

⁸C-Store Dive, Stinker Stores revamps mobile app, adds delivery and pickup, September 2024

⁹POND IoT, Challenges of Fully Automated Retail Stores, October 2024