4+ Convenience Store Design Ideas: How To Design Your C-Store

Convenience Store Interior Design Layout Ideas

According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, there are about 152,396 c-stores in the United States. Amazingly, however, they represent more than a third of all brick-and-mortar retail in the country.

While the competition may be fierce, you have a big opportunity to run an ultra-successful business if you can get your convenience store design right.

With an inviting exterior, a functional interior, and a smart online presence, you could be attracting new customers and keeping them coming back in no time!

So, let’s explore the best practices for designing your own c-store. At the end, we’ll provide some convenience store design examples to inspire you and help you get started.

Key Takeaways

• Effective convenience store design requires that you focus on three elements: interior design, exterior design, and maintaining your online presence.

• Use a holistic approach to align all three c-store design elements with your brand identity.

• While the visual appeal of your store is key, be sure to give equal attention to more practical elements, like your store’s layout, cleanliness, and signage.

• Take inspiration from other successful convenience store designs. After all, there’s a reason chains like 7 Eleven and Wawa have become so successful.

How to design your convenience store

Effective convenience store design requires you to consider three main aspects:

• Interior design

• Exterior design

• Online presence design

Below, we discuss how to optimize your c-store on all three fronts. By following this advice, your business will not only attract more customers, but keep them coming back.

Interior Convenience Store Design

Focusing on interior convenience store design is critical for shaping your customer experience.

Not only should you pay attention to visual elements to help build your brand, but you should also consider more practical elements, like your store’s layout.

Below, we discuss some key considerations for designing the interior of your convenience store.

Branding and Customer Experience

Customers typically have a lot of options to choose from when picking which convenience store they visit. So, it’s key that you develop an excellent customer experience!

For example, you’ll want to create a bright and welcoming atmosphere inside your store. 

To accomplish this, consider incorporating a fair amount of open space. This will prevent customers from feeling too cramped and overwhelming them with too many options.

You may also want to pay special attention to the lighting in your store. This not only creates a welcoming ambiance, but can also allow you to highlight specific product displays.

Additionally, you should be sure to incorporate your brand’s logo and colors throughout the store. This way, customers will remember your store and return the next time they need to pick up some items.

Another great way to incorporate your store’s brand into the interior design is by using your logo on in-store displays and packaging. This can be especially effective if your store makes its own products, or has some unique deals not available at other stores.

For instance, Wawa runs their Hoagiefest special every year, where they offer their made-to-order sandwiches at a discount price. If you walk into one of their convenience stores during this period, there is typically Hoagiefest signage all over the place.

These special deals are a great way to help build customer loyalty, as well as help customers associate your store with a particular product. Through effective in-store branding, you can ensure patrons are aware of these deals and take advantage of them.

Ultimately, in-store branding is a perfect way to develop your brand identity and create a memorable customer experience.

Practical Convenience Store Interior Design

While branding is key to creating a positive customer experience, you should also pay attention to more practical aspects of your store’s design.

For example, you should allocate sufficient space for coolers if you plan to carry fresh items, chilled products, and cold drinks.

Additionally, you want to make sure there’s enough storage space for inventory and supplies. After all, if there’s no room for inventory and you’re constantly out of a popular product, customers may choose a different store.

It’s also a good idea to consider product placement. For example, many convenience stores feature impulse purchase items, like candy, pretzels, or gum, near the checkout. 

If you have made-to-order items which require waiting, be sure to incorporate open space near the pick-up area. This way, other customers can browse the rest of your items without the made-to-order customers blocking the way.

Finally, it’s key that you comply with all health and safety regulations, both for your employees and patrons. 

Making sure your employees regularly clean the store can make a huge difference in how customers perceive both the safety and quality of your products.

Exterior Convenience Store Design

The exterior design of your convenience store is key for attracting customers to come inside.

After all, this is the first impression customers will have of your business. If it looks unappealing from the outside, potential patrons may opt for a competitor.

So, to attract more customers into your store, it’s a good idea to use eye-catching signage clearly displaying your business name and logo. Additionally, if your c-store isn’t a well-known brand, make sure you communicate what kind of business you are.

By communicating clearly with your exterior design, customers can easily recognize your shop from the sidewalk or highway.

You’ll also want to make sure your store is well-lit and inviting, especially if you’re open during evening hours.

Additionally, it’s smart to use fliers or signage on the windows of your store with special deals or discounts you’re running. A discounted morning coffee or meal deal could be just the motivation a potential customer needs to walk inside!

One more idea for designing the exterior of your convenience store is to collaborate with community members. For example, you might commission a local artist to paint a mural or a craftsperson to create a unique piece of art to help your shop stand out.

Even if you run a big-brand convenience store, these connections with the local community can help you connect with them and inspire brand loyalty.

Finally, you might consider consulting with a professional designer specializing in retail. They may be able to offer valuable insights, and can also help you comply with any building code regulations.

Online Presence Design For Your Convenience Store

If you're a franchisee of a convenience store chain, there’s a good chance the franchise does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to connecting with customers online.

However, there are still a few steps you can take to boost your digital footprint, whether you’re a franchisee or an independent operator.

Set Up Your Google My Business Profile

One of the most important things you can do to improve your online presence design is to set up your Google My Business profile.

This way, whenever someone Googles a search term like “convenience stores near me,” you can show up in the results.

Now, there are a few steps you can take to optimize your c-store to show up at the top of the search results.

For example, some effective strategies for showing up higher in the list of places include:

• Managing and responding to reviews

• Encouraging customers to leave five-star reviews

• Entering all of your business information

• Keeping your hours accurate and up-to-date

Ensure You’re In Your Franchise’s Directory

If you’re part of a larger chain of convenience stores, like 7 Eleven or Wawa, make sure your store is listed in their directory.

For example, 7 Eleven has a Find a Store tool which allows customers to search for a store in their zip code. By ensuring your store is listed in your chain’s directory, you can help customers find you.

Create and Maintain Your Social Media Presence

Whether you’re a franchisee or have your own c-store brand, you can also help customers discover you by maintaining a social media presence.

By having a Facebook page for your store, you can keep customers up-to-date with your hours, and even post any special deals you have going on.

Now, if you’re a franchisee, you may not need to focus on social media as much, because the franchise does it for you. For example, Wawa’s Instagram page boasts well over 300,000 followers.

On the other hand, independent operators can take some inspiration from successful c-store chains’ social media profiles.

One great example is Kwik Trip, which has won CStore Decisions’ award for best overall social media performance for the last four years. 

Why is Kwik Trip’s social media strategy so effective? Well, according to Blair Feehan, content marketing director at Rival IQ:

“Kwik Trip consistently does so many things right on social year after year: it creates dynamic, channel-specific content that engages its way-above-average follower counts to earn impressive engagement rates and totals that other c-stores just can’t beat… The brand benefits from years of hard work engaging followers to deliver fun and sassy posts that just always hit.”

By using social media channels to engage your audience, you can develop a closer relationship with customers. 

For instance, Kwik Trip customers appreciate their witty Instagram posts, like the one here. Not only is this post funny and shows the brand’s personality, but it also informs customers about a special deal. 

So, to make the most of your social media presence, consider checking out profiles like Kwik Trip and Wawa.

4+ Examples of Convenience Store Design

Now that you’ve got a good idea of what makes for good interior, exterior, and online c-store design, let’s take a look at some inspiring examples.

This will give you a better idea of how you may be able to incorporate key design elements into your own convenience store.

7 Eleven

As a global brand, 7 Eleven is one of the most recognizable convenience store franchises in the world.

The brand is unmistakable for several reasons, including its:

• Logo

• Orange, green, and red color scheme

• Awning with three horizontal stripes

No matter where you are, it’s still easy to spot exactly what business it is. Better yet, like the exterior design of many 7 Elevens, there are banners enticing customers to come in and check out specific products.

As far as interior, the design in these stores are effective because the different areas are clearly labeled. For example, it’s easy to spot exactly where to find coffee, deli foods, and iced tea. Additionally, there is a significant amount of open space, and the stores are well-lit. While there are still plenty of products on display, the store still maintains a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

Wawa

If you’ve ever been to the Delaware Valley, chances are you’ve seen a Wawa or two (or a hundred!).

The red Wawa lettering and goose logo are impossible to miss, whether you’re taking a walk in the city or driving on the highway. 

The exterior design of Wawa is remarkable for a couple reasons. Obviously, the logo is easy to spot and read.

However, many have outdoor seating as well which can encourage patrons to grab a hoagie and stay awhile. Additionally, there are plenty of promotional signs in their windows. After all, who wouldn’t want to stop in for a $2 drink?

Of course, nearly every Wawa store also features a few staples. For example, the coffee bar counter is great for getting people in the door. Likewise, the store’s made-to-order food kiosks are a mainstay of the convenience store chain.

Overall, by incorporating these familiar elements in all of their stores, Wawa is able to create a memorable and functional interior design.

Sheetz

Another convenience store staple in the Eastern United States is Sheetz. Many Sheetz stores feature red awnings and their recognizable sign, which boasts their store name and the words “Made to Order.”

Including Made to Order on the signage is an excellent exterior design touch, as it can entice customers looking for hot and fresh food.

The exterior convenience store design of sSheetz also features outdoor seating areas, which can encourage customers to stay for a while. This is especially convenient for those on long road trips who may be looking to take a little break.

Meanwhile, like Wawa, the interior of these stores also feature made-to-order food kiosks. 

Better yet, Sheetz often provides lots of open space, making customers feel welcome and comfortable while they wait for their food.

Remember, one of the main reasons customers choose to visit convenience stores is that it's quick and easy. In fact, a report by the National Association of Convenience Stores states that more than half of customers choose to shop at c-stores because they can get in and out quickly.

Furthermore, they found that the average amount of time it takes a customer to leave their car and return with a purchase is just three minutes and 33 seconds.

So, the more you can reduce friction between customers finding what they want and checking out, the more likely they’ll be to return!

Kwik Trip

Kwik Trip is a popular convenience store in the Midwest, with locations in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

As we mentioned earlier, Kwik Trip is a convenience store industry leader when it comes to its online presence. So, let’s look at a few more examples of their online profiles.

For example, on their Facebook page, they encourage user engagement with posts requesting responses. 

This not only helps customers build a deeper relationship with their brand, but also gives them a chance to have their say. 

Also notable is Kwik Trip’s willingness to be a part of online conversations, as well as using humor and wit to join in. Check out their social pages and you'll see memes everywhere.  

Ultimately, this convenience store chain uses its online presence to develop their brand identity. 

This helps them develop deeper relationships with their customers, and keeps patrons coming back to their business.

Other Convenience Store Design Examples

Of course, there are tons of other successful convenience store designs you take inspiration from too!

Here are a few more examples of some of the most popular c-stores in the United States:

• Thorntons: Located in the Midwest and Southeast, these stores embrace a modern farmhouse aesthetic. They tend to combine rustic elements with contemporary design features.

• Maverik: Located mainly in the Southwest, these c-stores feature a bold and adventurous design, with vibrant colors and eye-catching graphics. This perfectly reflects the franchise’s outdoor and adventure-inspired brand identity.

• QuickTrip: Not to be confused with Kwik Trip, this convenience store franchise has locations all across the Southern and Central United States. They’re known for their bright and welcoming interiors, with a focus on efficient traffic flow and a wide range of fresh food options.

• Casey’s: Mostly located in the Midwest and South, this brand embraces a warm and inviting convenience store design. They also place an emphasis on creating a community-oriented atmosphere.

• Buc-ee’s: Popular in Texas, these c-stores are known for their massive size and impressive store fixtures. They typically feature a wide range of products and amenities, including car washes.

• Alltown Fresh: With multiple locations in the Northeast, this chain combines the c-store concept with a focus on fresh, healthy food options. They also feature a modern, eco-friendly convenience store design.

Start Designing Your Convenience Store

Coming up with a great convenience store design is all about communicating your brand identity and what makes you stand out from your competitors.

To make the most of your design, be sure to focus on all three key elements: interior, exterior, and online.

With careful attention to detail and effective branding, you’ll be attracting new customers and keeping them coming back for all their c-store needs in no time!

Finally, to really take your convenience store’s operations to the next level, be sure to check out all of Toast’s awesome features.

Whether you want to introduce online ordering, set up self-ordering kiosks, or even try out a new loyalty program, we’ve got all the tools you need to design the perfect c-store!

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