Evolving to match changing consumer demands
CHRISTIE & Co is predicting the convenience and forecourts sectors will remain attractive to investors as sites evolve to meet changing consumer demands.
The business property specialist believes trends it has identified from 2025 will continue for the rest of this year.
In its Business Outlook 2026 report, Christie & Co highlighted how c-store operators were embracing hybrid formats that blend traditional convenience with ‘foodvenience’ – a fast-growing, on-the-go offering tailored to changing consumer priorities.
Steve Rodell, managing director – retail & leisure, said: “The emergence of younger, entrepreneurial independent retailers influencing buyer demand is particularly noteworthy.
“Business models have been fine-tuned during and post-pandemic, fuelling confidence to expand.
“We expect no slowdown in the surge of acquisition demand for sites.”
The firm also reckons that there will be an ongoing shift toward targeting a younger customer base, through employing innovative technologies and social media engagement.
It believes corporate operators will continue to get rid of underperforming stores, with many focusing on high-footfall, larger locations in the face of rising costs.
Christie & Co predicts demand for forecourt sites will continue to be greater than supply and that banks will continue to lend with confidence.
Rodell said: “The roadside retail environment is undergoing a significant transformation, with traditional petrol filling stations being reimagined into multi-purpose forecourt destinations.
“Smaller sites are attracting interest from EV infrastructure providers and car wash operators, while larger plots are being redeveloped to include enhanced convenience offering, including franchised coffee, food-to-go and wellness-oriented products that resonate with Gen Z consumers.
“The rise of social media-driven footfall, particularly through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, is influencing design and product mix, creating experiential forecourts that go beyond fuel.”
About 80% of Christie & Co retail transactions in 2025 were the sale and acquisition of convenience stores, with an average of five offers per c-store sold.
The combined value of predominantly c-store businesses the firm advised on was £243million – a rise of £2.3million compared with 2024.
Christie & Co advised on forecourts with a combined value of over £603million last year, again with an average of five offers per site sold.
