Dive Brief:
- C-store retailer Parker’s opened its northern and easternmost location last week, a Parker’s Kitchen, in Georgetown, South Carolina, according to an announcement from the company.
- Located at 1347 N. Fraser St., Parker’s 76th location is about 60 miles northeast of its nearest cluster of stores in the Charleston and Cherry Hill areas of South Carolina.
- This marks Parker’s first location in Georgetown. The convenience retailer already has another store under construction in the area as well, a company spokesperson said in an email.
Dive Insight:
Parker’s opened its first South Carolina store in 2008 in Bluffton, just over the border from Savannah, Georgia. It has since continued growing northward across the state. To date, Parker’s has more than 30 stores in South Carolina.
By moving to Georgetown, Parker’s will directly compete with 7-Eleven, Circle K and a number of local retailers in the area.
“Our newest location in Georgetown is an exceptional fit for our growth plan, which is based on building new stores in strong growth markets,” CEO Greg Parker said in the announcement.
The new store features Parker’s array of grab-and-go foods alongside a hot bar and its made-to-order menu of items such as chicken tenders, mac ‘n cheese and potato logs, which customers can order from digital kiosks.
Parker’s fourth new opening of the year comes as the c-store chain also updates its digital presence. During the past few months, the chain has updated its website and loyalty app, as well as launched a drink subscription service. The updated website and app both focus on user-friendliness, with the app also offering frictionless checkout options and more security options.
Savannah, Georgia-based Parker’s has 76 Parker’s and Parker’s Kitchens locations in Georgia and South Carolina.
