gallery07Merchandise and fuel sales were up 3.1 percent at convenience stores in the first half of this year, according to a story by Convenience Store News.

Overall, store sales were about 6 percent lower than last year, mostly because of lower gas prices, the article reports. Fuel sales fell almost 12 percent. Overall sales were about $272 billion through June 30.

Foodservice sales were up over last year, growing 5.6 percent to more than $18 billion. Read more in the article here.