Convenience-store chains emerge from pandemic in hyper-growth mode

Convenience-store chains already were well positioned to thrive in a pandemic, offering a mix of consumer staples in easy- to-access locations that enabled households to avoid more congested grocery and big-box stores. Fueled by consumer habits in response to the coronavirus, they now are doubling down on a formula of high-margin products and low-overhead operations that are eating into traditional grocery and big-box channels. And it’s all coming to a convenient location near you.