Once limited to highway rest stops, city street corners, and neighborhood gas stations, convenience stores are redefining retail in unexpected locations—from bustling hotels and apartment complexes to remote EV charging hubs.
Three high-value spaces transforming convenience retail
As shopper experiences evolve and convenience becomes a minimum standard, forward-thinking retailers are expanding beyond traditional c-store formats. These emerging spaces offer strategic opportunities to extend your brand and deliver on modern customer expectations.
1. EV charging stations
The opportunity:
EV charging stations enable operators to serve a captive customer base. Unlike traditional gas station visitors, EV drivers typically remain on-site much longer while their vehicles charge.
A well-stocked convenience store becomes a valuable asset since these charging locations are often situated in remote areas with limited retail options. The EV-driving demographic also tends to have higher disposable income, allowing c-store operators to elevate their product offerings with premium coffee brands, artisanal snacks, organic choices, and even tech accessories like cables and chargers.
The early adopter:
IONNA, which plans to launch 3,000 charging stations across the United States by 2030, has turned to Just Walk Out technology by Amazon to create a space for customers to “recharge” themselves while they recharge their vehicles. The effort supports IONNA’s mission to create far more than an EV charging network—they are crafting a customer-centric experience.
“We wanted to give our charging customers the convenience of seamless, high-quality, and fast shopping with autonomous stores at our IONNA Electric Vehicle Charging Stations,” says Ricardo Stamatti, chief product officer of IONNA.
Powered by innovation:
This seamless experience is powered by Just Walk Out technology, enabling c-stores to operate profitably in previously inaccessible or unstaffed locations. Customers simply authenticate their preferred payment method at the door, grab what they want and walk out—no waiting, checkouts, or around-the-clock staffing required. Advanced AI, computer vision, and sensors handle everything behind the scenes, delivering frictionless customer convenience and operational flexibility for EV charging stations.
2. Apartment buildings and residential communities
The opportunity:
Apartment buildings and residential complexes give c-store operators direct access to a built-in customer base—residents who live just steps away. Unlike traditional retail locations that depend on foot traffic from passersby, these settings encourage frequent, repeat visits and foster long-term loyalty.
Operators can also tap into the “convenience premium,” as residents will likely pay more to grab essentials without leaving their building or complex. The appeal spans a wide demographic, ranging from busy professionals who value time-saving solutions to older residents who prefer to avoid last-minute grocery runs for small purchases.
The early adopter:
Toll Brothers Regency, a premier luxury home builder, implemented Just Walk Out technology at the Regency at Folsom Ranch in Folsom, California. The autonomous store—part of a suite of resort-style amenities—enhances the upscale ambiance of the community by providing an effortless shopping experience.
“The new checkout-free store powered by Amazon at Regency at Folsom Ranch is just one more way we have embraced technology to give our residents more time and freedom to enjoy life at our new resort-style community,” said Scott Esping, division president of Toll Brothers in Sacramento.
3. Healthcare facilities
The opportunity:
Healthcare facilities present c-store operators with a unique opportunity to serve a highly concentrated and diverse customer base, including patients awaiting care, family and friends visiting their loved ones, and staff working long shifts. These individuals need speed, comfort, and, most importantly, ease as they navigate the unexpected.
This setting drives unique purchasing behaviors. Shoppers may seek practical necessities for long waits, comfort items for emotional support or thoughtful gifts to uplift others. At these times, shoppers appreciate the convenience of a readily accessible store with premium food and beverage items, specialized products and wellness-oriented offerings that meet shoppers in the moment.
The early adopter:
At St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, food service partner Morrison Healthcare had previously converted a hospital coffee shop into a 24/7 market for staff. In 2024, the hospital advanced its offering by installing Just Walk Out technology to streamline the shopping experience.
Harnessing the power of technology to access new verticals
While the advantages of these nontraditional locations are clear, the ability to capitalize on them has only recently become viable, thanks to the ability of Just Walk Out technology, which removes the traditional barriers that made unconventional c-store formats impractical or unprofitable. Five key benefits make this expansion strategy especially compelling for forward-thinking operators:
1. Remove the hassle of checkout.
Consumers won’t tolerate long lines or glitchy self-checkout systems. Just Walk Out technology eliminates both by delivering a truly frictionless shopping experience.
2. Gain improved analytics on shopping habits.
Wouldn’t it be helpful to see what items shoppers pick up, consider, and put back on the shelf? With Just Walk Out technology, operators gain visibility into purchasing behavior to help curate the most appealing and profitable product mix.
3. Offset labor struggles.
Short on staff? Unattended stores allow for extended operating hours and round-the-clock profitability. Outside of stocking and cleaning, the technology handles the rest.
4. Maximize location flexibility.
C-stores with fuel offerings may be discouraged from pursuing specific attractive sites due to zoning or environmental restrictions. Operators can establish their brand in innovative, high-traffic settings with a more focused outlet.
5. Unlock new avenues for growth.
Nontraditional locations can serve as lower-risk pilots or as part of a “hub-and-spoke” strategy—extending shelf space to new locations at a much more attractive cost, increasing brand presence, and reaching new customers without investing in a full-scale buildout.
At NRF 2025, Retail’s Big Show, GRIDSERVE Global’s CEO, Toddington Harper, discussed how the leading U.K.-based EV charging network is transforming the retail experience.
“Amazon Just Walk Out technology absolutely blew us away from day one. It meant that we could concentrate on bringing in customers; we could concentrate on understanding what it is that the customers want, and giving them that.”
Leveraging untapped revenue streams to build customer loyalty
The c-store industry has always been about meeting customers where they are, and where they are is changing. As consumer behaviors evolve and technological innovations eliminate traditional operational barriers, the most successful c-store operators will be those who think outside the walls. Whether serving EV drivers while they wait, providing essentials to apartment residents, or offering comfort to visitors and staff at healthcare facilities, these high-value spaces represent the next frontier in convenience retail.
Are you ready to increase your profits and grow your business? Find out more about Just Walk Out technology.
