3 Big Numbers is a weekly column that looks at a few key details from around the c-store industry.
Last fall, Spinx quietly rolled out THC beverages in its stores.
More than a year later, the South Carolina-based retailer has seen the subcategory grow into a meaningful sales driver, said Hayley Thrift, director of public relations for Spinx, in an educational session Wednesday at the NACS Show.
Unfortunately, THC beverages may be in danger, as a federal law taking effect on Dec. 11 would ban sales of these drinks in the state. But for now, Spinx continues to be optimistic about the products.
In this week’s “3 Big Numbers,” we look closer at Spinx’s move into the THC beverage space.
$267,191
Spinx’s THC beverage sales in the first three months after launch
Spinx first discussed adding THC beverages to its stores in summer 2025 and began selling the products later in the year, said Thrift.
Within three months, Spinx had brought in more than $267,000, or an average of almost $27,000 per store, according to Thrift. Since THC beverages were added to Spinx’s nearly 100 stores, total company-wide sales have topped $1.8 million.
If the products remain legal, Spinx projects $2.3 million in sales next year.
0
The number of marketing hours Spinx invested in its THC beverage launch
Spinx launched THC drinks quietly — very quietly.
“We did not advertise it,” said Thrift. “We did not market it. We did not put commercials out. We didn't even put it on social media that we were putting these in our stores. It was kind of a company-wide pilot, if you will.”
The company called attention to the products with green signage and put them in the same area as alcoholic beverages.
Spinx quickly saw results. Interest in the program came in part from word of mouth.
“I would be getting my hair done, and my hairdresser is like, ‘Spinx sells this?” said Thrift. “And then she'd tell the whole salon, and it just grew in that way.”
74%
The year-over-year growth in c-store THC beverage sales, according to NielsenIQ data
Spinx isn’t the only retailer that recorded significant growth from THC beverage sales. The convenience retail industry saw 74% sales growth year over year in the category, according to NielsenIQ data shared at the session. That has put convenience stores solidly in second place among retail channels where customers buy THC beverages, with a nearly 25% market share. Although liquor stores sell more THC drinks, sales are growing faster in c-stores.
Discoverability is playing a big part in that growth.
“If you're in a store and you're like, okay, I need something, you're going to grab it,” said Diana Eberlein, chair of the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives, in the session. “This is where [c-stores] shine, in particular.”
