Rising operating costs, persistent labor challenges, geopolitical uncertainty and weak consumer sentiment are among the many headwinds convenience retailers face in 2026.

While major players like 7-Eleven and Circle K have the scale, resources and purchasing power to weather the storm, smaller, more regional operators often don’t. Those pressures have contributed to a wave of independent convenience retailers — most of which have fewer than 100 stores — exiting the industry this year. And with little relief in sight, there’s no clear indication of when this wave will subside.

Here’s a collection of C-Store Dive’s coverage of some of the deals that have resulted in small convenience retailers exiting the industry this year.