Apps are a great way to stay connected with customers wherever they are. More than 90% of adults in the U.S. have smartphones, and on average Americans spend more than four hours on their phones per day, according to Statista. 

While there are benefits to a strong digital presence, convenience retailers typically have not devoted as much attention to their apps as they have their physical stores. Polishing up those mobile offerings can potentially have a lot of upside.  

“Just put a little bit of investment timewise and moneywise into your [app] and you'd be surprised how [many] more repeat customers you get,” said Jeffry Harrison, co-founder and president of c-store app company Rovertown.

Some convenience stores embraced that philosophy in 2023. A variety of c-stores, from regional players like Nouria Energy and Parker’s all the way up to 7-Eleven — the largest c-store chain in North America — has revamped or enhanced their apps. 

As the year draws to a close, below are some of the top stories on how c-stores have been pushing their mobile apps forward.