Delivery apps deliver growth
Delivery sales are soaring for some Canadian c‑stores.
Just ask Susana Pulla, director of marketing at 7‑Eleven Canada, who says the chain has posted double‑digit year‑over‑year growth. The Surrey, B.C.–based retailer offers a “multi‑platform approach” to delivery through its own 7Now platform for 7Rewards members, as well as Uber Eats, DoorDash and Skip—where 7‑Eleven sees conversion rates 12% to 15% above industry averages.
Or ask Pinto Sood, owner of Pinto’s Convenience in London, Ont., which is on the same third‑party delivery apps. “The last time I calculated, our rolling 12‑month total in delivery sales was between $25,000 and $30,000,” says Sood. Not bad for a small neighbourhood store—especially since it closes at 11 p.m. and doesn’t offer beer, wine or cider for delivery (more on the reason later).
While delivery exploded during the pandemic, it has clearly found renewed momentum. What began as a crisis response has become a lasting growth engine for c‑stores of all sizes, reshaping customer expectations and redefining how—and where—convenience happens.
Food and drink
Foodservice is a major draw for 7‑Eleven’s delivery customers, led by value‑packed Big Yeah Deals such as 2‑for‑$3 pizza slices or 2‑for‑$5 taquitos. “We’re seeing more interest in value bundles,” notes Pulla, who adds that long weekends, late nights and early mornings are peak ordering times. She says interest is also high in “age‑restricted items, where allowed.”
In Ontario, beverage alcohol sales opened to c‑stores in September 2024, and a year later the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario reported more than 5,200 convenience stores were licensed to sell beer, wine and RTDs.
According to DoorDash’s 2025 Canada Delivery Trends Report, 40% of consumers are ordering alcohol for delivery more often than in 2024, with 61% preferring to do so on third‑party apps.
“Expanding alcohol availability to convenience stores in Ontario has broadened what consumers can access locally,” says Kyra Huntington, general manager of DoorDash Canada. “We’ve seen strong engagement as customers bundle alcohol with snacks and other quick‑serve items.”
At Waypoint Convenience, beverage alcohol quickly became the top delivery item after Ontario opened the category. “It became the top seller almost immediately, followed by energy drinks, confectionery, ice cream and other sweet‑and‑salty pairings,” says Thea Bourne, retail program manager at parent company BG Fuels.
Waypoint piloted delivery on DoorDash with a single store in 2022, then expanded to 30 stores, and by spring 2025, all 180 locations were on the app. “We wanted to ensure it was worthwhile—in terms of consumer uptake and whether our product mix aligned with DoorDash shoppers,” says Bourne.
The chain is now considering adding Uber Eats and Skip. “When we look at our competitors, they seem to be on a spectrum of apps, which makes sense because different consumers use different apps for different reasons. It’s a net new customer capture,” she explains.
Delivery isn’t just about foodservice. 7‑Eleven’s top‑selling delivery item is its Slurpee, while Pinto’s Convenience generates most of its sales from snacks, pop and household items.
As for the decision not to offer beverage alcohol, Sood says it’s such a fast‑selling category in‑store that adding it to delivery could deplete stock, complicate operations and disappoint customers expecting it on shelves. “With only one person on cash, it would also create a lot of work and compromise in‑store service,” he adds.
Sood says basket sizes range from $30 down to just a few dollars—some customers will order only a package of candy or a bottle of pop. In other words: customers will pay to satisfy their cravings without leaving the house.
DoorDash research shows that 63% of Canadians have ordered delivery last‑minute in the past month, and in British Columbia, 36% of consumers surveyed say they often order based on cravings (“I need my Airheads fix!”), making the province especially primed for convenience‑driven orders, says Huntington.
Finding success across categories
Rabba Fine Foods started offering delivery in 2024 with Uber Eats, and “it’s been a wonderful fit,” says company president Rick Rabba. “We have managed to discover new customers and reinforce Rabba’s unique value as being the trusted local, independent, family‑owned store that is ‘Here for You’.”
As a 37‑store chain operating 24 hours, he says key to the success of the partnership has been “inventory accuracy” and “expanding our catalog SKU count, allowing us to offer a much deeper assortment of our items. This includes guaranteeing that high‑quality products, and goods like our prepared meal and fresh items, integrate seamlessly into the delivery process.”
In terms of order baskets on the app, “we see strong sales across our full-service grocery offerings, including fresh organic produce like avocados and bananas, as well as bakery goods and top-quality meat. Customers combine these fresh items with pantry favourites and household brand names,” says Rabba.
“The real story is in the strength of our Rabba Kitchen, where we have seen an increase in hot and ready meal options.”
In addition, he notes, “We have also seen popularity in orders that fall under essential items, such as milk, eggs, oil and pasta, but delivered instantly. This could also describe the customers who are looking for late-night snacks and those critical missing ingredients. We are confident in the value we provide and our ability to satisfy our communities’ round-the-clock needs.”
Standing out from competitors
Competition is heating up as delivery apps add more retailers, including behemoths like Walmart and Loblaw. “Retailers can stand out by uploading high-quality photos, keeping inventory up to date, offering limited-time promotions for key occasions or dayparts, and running sponsored listings to increase visibility,” says Huntington. “It’s just as important to ensure orders are accurate, packaged securely and delivered promptly. Reliability builds repeat customers and stronger store ratings.”
Sood, whose store has a 4.9‑star rating from 190 Uber Eats reviews, agrees. “You have to continuously monitor your menu to update items that are out of stock. Sometimes it’s a challenge, but it’s worth it to be on it.”
Paul Sudarsan, SVP, partnerships at Skip, emphasizes that success isn’t just about competing—it’s about connecting. “The most successful partners lean into what makes them distinct, whether that’s product assortment, price point or promotional creativity,” he says.
“Through data insights, we help them understand customer preferences, optimize assortments and boost performance with targeted offers or Skip+ benefits.”
Skip+ is Skip’s paid membership program offering perks like $0 delivery fees, discounted service fees and VIP experiences through partners such as CIBC, WestJet, Live Nation Canada and the NHL.
“Ultimately, what drives success on Skip is customer experience,” Sudarsan adds. “Retailers who deliver speed, reliability and value build loyalty.”
From meals to must-haves: Delivery apps embrace convenience
C-stores are increasingly focusing on ready-to-eat foodservice—sandwiches, pizza and other meals—to stay competitive and generate sales in-store, but also on delivery apps. At the same time, the apps have expanded beyond restaurants to everyday essentials— snacks, beverages, groceries, pet supplies and alcohol.
Skip, which dropped “The Dishes” last year, has seen non-food orders from its retail and convenience categories grow more than 1,700%.
“The results of our retail expansion have been phenomenal so far, reinforcing that there’s real pent-up demand for everyday essentials, health and wellness items, and certainly grocery,” says Paul Sudarsan, SVP, partnerships, at Skip.
In October, Skip added Walmart to its platform, enabling delivery from more than 300 stores nationwide across groceries, home goods, pet care and personal essentials.
“The Walmart partnership is a big step, but it’s just the beginning. You can expect to see even more retailers join our platform in the months ahead,” Sudarsan tells CSNC, adding convenience remains one of Skip’s most dynamic categories. “We’re seeing consistent growth across our convenience and retail categories as more Canadians turn to delivery for those ‘need it now’ moments. Whether it’s a late-night snack run, a forgotten ingredient, or an emergency pack of batteries.”
Uber Eats has evolved similarly—it’s no longer just about the “eats.”
“Over the past few years, we’ve invested heavily to transform Uber Eats from a platform for your favourite meals into a true one-stop-shop,” says Klaas Knieriem, head of retail for Uber Eats in Canada. “Today, Canadians can get almost anything they need— from pharmacy essentials to alcohol and cannabis to everyday grocery items.”
On Nov. 12, 2025, Uber Eats added Loblaw banners, letting shoppers order from Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Maxi, Your Independent Grocer, Real Atlantic Superstore, Loblaws, Zehrs, Fortinos, Provigo, Valu-mart and Shoppers Drug Mart.
As for DoorDash?
“Convenience was one of the first retail categories that DoorDash supported as we expanded beyond restaurants,” says Kyra Huntington, general manager of DoorDash Canada. “We’ve seen continued growth as customers discover how convenient these stores are for last-minute cravings and essentials.
In demand
Skip’s 2025 National Orders Report reveals the country’s most-ordered items—insights c-stores can use to sharpen their offerings.
Trending treats
Dubai-style chocolate—a social-media sensation with pistachio-tahini filling and crisp filo under a chocolate shell—soared 2,300% in orders.
Better believe it’s (butter) chicken
7-Eleven Canada introduced its Butter Chicken Taquito just over a year ago, a smart bet given that butter chicken has been Skip’s most-ordered dish for three years running.
Dogs, cats & clicks Canadians are ordering for their furry friends, too. Pet supplies were Skip’s second-fastest-growing category in 2025, surging 1,087% year over year. Calgary led the pack with the highest share of pet-related orders, from treats to toys.
Matcha goes mainstream
Skip’s regional data shows small and midsize cities often lead national trends. Winnipeg, for example, ranks as Canada’s #1 matcha hotspot, ahead of Toronto and Vancouver. This finely ground green tea, prized for its earthy flavour and antioxidants, has become a global craze; in 2025, Circle K even launched a Strawberry Matcha Latte in Ireland, showing the trend is shaping convenience-store menus worldwide
