In recognition of 7-Eleven Day on July 11, a year-long survey of 14,475 U.S. adults sheds light on how Americans shop at convenience stores, revealing significant variations across income, age, education, and parental status.
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According to the findings, 13% of respondents purchase food or beverages at convenience stores several times per week, while 43% say they rarely or never do. This contrast points to wide disparities in how often different groups rely on convenience stores in their daily routines.
Income level plays a notable role in shopping frequency. Among individuals earning between $0 and $29,999 annually, 24% shop at convenience stores several times per week. In comparison, only 4% of those with incomes of $400,000 or more report the same behavior. These results suggest that convenience stores may serve as a more frequent resource for lower-income households.
Parental status also influences shopping habits. Parents are the most frequent visitors, with 45% saying they shop at convenience stores several times per week. This is higher than the 38% of non-parents and significantly more than the 16% of grandparents who report similar behavior. These patterns may reflect the need for quick and accessible options among those with children at home.
Age is another differentiator. Younger adults, particularly those aged 18 to 44, are more likely to make frequent purchases at convenience stores. Within this group, 18% of 18–24-year-olds report shopping several times per week, while only 7% of adults aged 65 or older do so. The data indicates that younger consumers are more inclined to prioritize speed and accessibility in their shopping.
Educational attainment further distinguishes shopping frequency. Among those with a high school diploma or GED, 30% visit convenience stores multiple times per week. This contrasts with just 10% of those holding a graduate or professional degree. The difference may point to varying lifestyle demands and access to other retail options.
Overall, the survey highlights how demographic factors shape consumer behavior at convenience stores, offering a clearer view of who shops where—and how often—across the United States.
This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights.