convenience stores

Blame war in the Middle East for particularly weak sales at gas stations and convenience stores.

Gas stations are now destinations for food and merchandise.

Retailers are facing restrictions on what products can be purchased using SNAP benefits and new requirements for what foods they should stock.

According to NielsenIQ, sales of alcoholic beverages fell 5.4% in April compared to the same month last year. The decline is most pronounced at convenience stores.

The retailer can only raise prices so much — households that earn less than $35,000 a year account for 60% of its sales.

The chain, which dates back to 1916, in many ways created the business model for a modern grocery store. But some stores are struggling today’s retail environment.