The convenience-store industry continues to increase sales at record numbers despite the general downturn in retail sales. According to Nielsen Retailer Services Africa, the growth in the sector has continued unabated, with more than 1,000 forecourt store outlets having opened in the past six years, with the fastest-growing regions being Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. In addition, forecourt convenience-store sales growth across all categories stands at 13%, which outpaces traditional retail stores by 2%. "As lifestyle and consumption habits change, we’re seeing a structural shift, with small formats showing big growth," said Nielsen MD in Africa-Middle East Craig Henry. "This stems from the fact that where the small store has reinvented itself, the hypermarket has remained more or less the same for the last three decades." FreshStop at Caltex is the largest and fastest-growing convenience retail brand with 238 stores across the country. It is in competition with Woolwo...
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