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Convenience Stores in Canada - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Arielle Rose Arielle Rose New York, United States Last Updated: October 2024 NAICS 44512CA

Revenue

$11.9bn

2024

$11.9bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

41,853

Businesses

9,432

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Convenience Stores in Canada industry analysis

The Convenience Stores industry in Canada has withstood heightening competition by offering convenience, value and a variety of fresh and healthy products. The small size and accessibility of convenience stores allow them to adapt to changing environments and consumer preferences, making them more resilient than supermarkets and other food retailers. Convenience stores have increasingly shifted product mixes to include food service products that are more profitable than items such as cigarettes, focusing more on satisfying demand for quick and easy meal options. However, continued competition from supermarkets and gas stations with convenience stores has pressured industry growth. Consequently, industry revenue is expected to inch down at a CAGR of 0.7% over the past five years to reach $10.8 billion in 2024, despite a 0.7% boost in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • Boosted competition has pressured industry growth. Supermarkets and grocery stores offer similar products as convenience stores but generally at lower prices, threatening convenience stores’ growth.
  • A drop in the percentage of smokers in Canada has limited demand for cigarettes. This has challenged convenience stores as cigarettes have historically been a large product segment.
  • The distribution of establishments in the industry largely mirrors population distribution in Canada. This trend is common within the retail sector, as these industries rely heavily on foot traffic to generate consumer purchases.
  • Competition in the Convenience Stores industry in Canada is high. Low barriers to entry and a highly fragmented and saturated market contribute to the intense internal competition.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $11.9bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Favourable economic conditions supported growth

  • Convenience stores have significantly benefited from the boost in disposable income levels and a surge in the urban population over the five years to 2024.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Convenience Stores in Canada
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Competition will continue to rise

  • As more individuals return to work and school, household incomes will rise and demand for convenience will heighten. This is anticipated to considerably benefit industry operators and could pave the way for new products and services designed to meet this growing need for convenience amid a busy lifestyle. It will also likely boost economic activity, creating a cyclical effect of growth and prosperity.

Biggest companies in the Convenience Stores in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
7-Eleven Inc.
1,080.9
36.5
3.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Convenience Stores in Canada
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Tobacco products, Beverages and Candy and snacks. Tobacco products is the largest segment of the Convenience Stores in Canada.

Trends and Insights

A decrease in smokers has pressured demand for tobacco products

  • This segment includes cigarettes, chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes and all other tobacco products. Although the industry is still heavily reliant on tobacco sales, convenience stores are trying to reduce their dependency on tobacco products because of threats of government regulation and taxation, in addition to escalating consumer health concerns.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry comprises retail establishments primarily dealing with conveniently stocked basic food, beverage and tobacco merchandise. These stores are strategically located in accessible locations and have extended operating hours, offering ease and accessibility for consumers, especially for quick shopping needs or emergency provisions.

What's included in this industry?

Retailing tobacco and tobacco productsRetailing dispensed and bottled beverages, non-alcoholic and alcoholicRetailing prepared foodRetailing food prepared on-site for immediate consumptionRetailing OTC medication and other sundriesRetailing candy and snacks

Companies

7-Eleven Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 1 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

POINT OF SALE (POS)SAQMOM-AND-POP STORE

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 445120 - Convenience Stores in Canada

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Boosted competition has pressured industry growth. Supermarkets and grocery stores offer similar products as convenience stores but generally at lower prices, threatening con...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

A drop in the percentage of smokers in Canada has limited demand for cigarettes. This has challenged convenience stores as cigarettes have historically been a large product s...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The distribution of establishments in the industry largely mirrors population distribution in Canada. This trend is common within the retail sector, as these industries rely ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Competition in the Convenience Stores industry in Canada is high. Low barriers to entry and a highly fragmented and saturated market contribute to the intense internal compet...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

7-Eleven is the largest company in the Convenience Stores in Canada industry. The retail chain has expanded its market share by implementing new technology and focusing on br...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of 7-Eleven Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for 7-Eleven Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Regulation in the Convenience Stores industry in Canada is medium and steady. Convenience stores must adhere to regulations relating to the sale of tobacco, alcohol and food,...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Increased competition in the industry has put pressure on profit. Despite revenue expansion, profit has shrunk as price-based competition has risen.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Assets (2017-2022)
  • Liabilities (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Convenience Stores industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the Convenience Stores industry in Canada is $11.9bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Convenience Stores in Canada industry in 2024?

There are 9,432 businesses in the Convenience Stores industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Convenience Stores industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Convenience Stores industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Convenience Stores industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Convenience Stores industry in Canada is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Convenience Stores market in Canada?

The biggest company operating in the Convenience Stores market in Canada is 7-Eleven Inc.

What does the Convenience Stores in Canada include?

Retailing tobacco and tobacco products and Retailing dispensed and bottled beverages, non-alcoholic and alcoholic are part of the Convenience Stores industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Convenience Stores in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is 7-Eleven Inc..

How competitive is the Convenience Stores industry in Canada?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Convenience Stores industry in Canada.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in Canada
  • Specialty Food Stores in Canada
  • Beer, Wine & Liquor Stores in Canada
  • Gas Stations with Convenience Stores in Canada

Complementors

  • Grocery Wholesaling in Canada
  • Dairy Wholesaling in Canada
  • Fruit & Vegetable Wholesaling in Canada
  • Frozen Food Wholesaling in Canada
  • Cigarette & Tobacco Product Wholesaling in Canada

International industries

  • Convenience Stores in the US
  • Convenience Stores in Australia
  • Supermarkets, Grocery Stores and Convenience Stores in New Zealand
  • Convenience Stores in the UK

View all industries in Canada

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.