Convenience stores are known as purveyors of slushies, cigarettes, and day-old roller hot dogs. They’re less known for being inexpensive retail stalwarts during inflation when their low-priced but high-margin assortments offer shoppers a haven from soaring prices and provide brands an oasis of steady consumer demand.
However, the industry reached a tipping point in recent months when shoppers cut back on purchases at one of the last bastions of affordability.
