A familiar convenience store giant is closing dozens of locations as it takes a closer look at its store portfolio and how each location contributes to the broader business, a move that could completely change the routines of thousands of people.
The shifts come as convenience store operators increasingly evaluate their networks based on long-term returns, operating efficiency, and growth opportunities, rather than simply maintaining a presence in every market.
Founded in 1980, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is one of the world’s largest convenience store and fuel retailers. The company operates under the Circle K, Couche-Tard, and Ingo banners.
Alimentation Couche-Tard closes 80 stores
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. closed 80 stores in the 12-week period ended July 19, 2026, bringing its total network to 17,220 locations.
The company also completed construction of 12 stores and the relocation or reconstruction of eight locations, taking the total number of completed new, relocated, or reconstructed stores to 20 since the beginning of fiscal 2027.
Meanwhile, another 42 stores were under construction as of July 19 and are expected to open in the upcoming quarters.
The figures indicate that the company is balancing store closures with continued investment in new and existing locations as it optimizes its network.
Why Alimentation Couche-Tard is closing convenience stores
Alimentation Couche-Tard has been closing and divesting locations as it evaluates its store portfolio and broader strategy.
In November 2025, the company sold 36 U.S. Circle K stores across 14 states, saying the locations no longer aligned with its brand and market approach.
“We routinely evaluate our real estate portfolio as part of our efforts to optimize our store network,” a company spokesperson said in a statement reported by C-Store Dive.
The company has also pursued international expansion while divesting assets that do not fit its stated strategy.
In July 2026, Alimentation Couche-Tard announced an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Żabka, Poland’s largest convenience retailer, as it looks to increase its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.
Alimentation Couche-Tard CEO Alexander Miller has also pointed to changes in customer spending behavior as the company assesses its business.
“We are leveraging our strengths to adapt to those changes in behavior,” Miller said during the company’s latest earnings call.
He also said that, consistent with broader industry trends, elevated living costs and fuel prices continue to weigh on discretionary spending in certain markets.
Miller said new stores remain meaningful to the company’s growth plan because they have outperformed the broader network. Food sales are 120% above the network average, while merchandise sales and basket size are 20% higher, demonstrating the importance of site selection and the company’s customer offer.
Alimentation Couche-Tard has set a long-term target of 750 new stores by 2030, including more than 100 in fiscal 2027.
Alimentation Couche-Tard continues to invest for growth
Despite the store closures, Alimentation Couche-Tard continues to invest in its growth strategy.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company reported:
- Net revenue: Increased 25.1% year over year
- Total merchandise and service revenue: Rose 4%
- U.S. merchandise revenue: Surged 5.3%
- Total road transportation fuel revenue: Climbed 32.6%
- U.S. road transportation fuel revenue: Was up 38.9%
However, U.S. merchandise same-store sales increased 1.6%, below the company’s 2-3% growth algorithm.
Meanwhile, U.S. merchandise and service gross margin decreased by 0.5%, while same-store fuel volumes declined 1.6%.
According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, in-store sales generate roughly 30% of convenience store revenue but account for about 70% of profits, making the performance of individual locations particularly important to operators.
Here’s some of my previous coverage on convenience store chains:
- Convenience store giant sells stores, exits market
- Popular convenience store chain closing locations
- Buc-ee’s reveals multi-state expansion plans
For Alimentation Couche-Tard, the latest shutdowns appear alongside continued investment in new locations and international expansion. Together, the closures and investments point to a broader effort to reshape its network rather than simply reduce its footprint.
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