7-Eleven Same-Store Sales Rise

DALLAS -- 7-Eleven Inc., operator of more than 5,700 convenience stores in North America, reported a 7.8 percent increase in its U.S. same-store merchandise sales for November. Total merchandise sales for the month were $556 million, an increase of 8.9 percent over the November 2000 total of $511 million.

Gasoline sales weren't as strong for November, however, the company said. Sales for the month totaled $186 million, a 16.2-percent decrease from sales of $222 million over the same period last year.

Fuel sales decreased 16.2 percent due to a 36-cent decline in the average retail price of gasoline, the company said. The average retail price dropped to $1.21 in November 2001 as compared to $1.57 in November 2000. While sales were lower, the average gallons of gasoline sold per store increased 5 percent in the month, compared to the same period a year ago.

Overall for the year, 7-Eleven said U.S. same-store merchandise sales rose 5.1 percent, on top of a 5.6 percent increase for 2000. Merchandise sales total $6.4 billion, an increase of 6.2 percent. And gasoline sales registered $2.6 billion, an increase of 4.2 percent over the same period last year.