Inside sales

Definition

Everything sold inside the store itself, not at the pump, and where the margin actually is.

Why It Matters

Inside sales are where the profit is. Fuel draws the traffic on margins that move with the wholesale market, but the basket carries the store, so read the inside mix and its trend before you read gallons pumped. Ask what share is tobacco, because that category is declining and heavily regulated, and a store leaning on it is showing you a revenue line with a direction already set.