Marketing
Toast survey reveals community-based retailers are thriving
Photo: Generated by AI. Adobe Stock.
September 2, 2025
Nearly all, 94%, of community-based retailers describe their business as in good or excellent shape, according to the "Voice of the Retail Industry," report released by Toast.
The report outlines the current state of convenience stores, bottle shops and grocery stores and that despite facing economic uncertainty, retailers are focusing on smart growth. Retail operators reported that marketing is one of their top business challenges.
Additional findings include:
- Retailers that offer food service said they were more likely to expand.
- Approximately 48% of grocery stores and 41% of bottle shops report that inflation poses a moderate to extreme challenge to their business.
- Convenience stores report less severe challenges, with only 27% finding inflation moderately or extremely challenging.
- Grocery store operators report the most significant hiring challenges, with 16% citing "extreme hiring challenges" and 63% plan to increase staff in the next year.
- Single-location operators (52%) feel more comfortable using AI compared to multi-unit operators (44%).
Toast polled 492 U.S. retail decision-makers and survey respondents consist of retailers with 16 or fewer locations and include a mix of convenience stores, bottle shops and grocery stores.
