Myrtle Beach, January 22, 2026
A notable transaction involving Pops Mart has transformed the regional convenience store market in Myrtle Beach. The company sold all 54 of its locations in a multi-buyer deal, primarily to Sunoco LP. This shift emphasizes growth trends within the convenience store industry and the ongoing consolidation impacting local economies, including Richland County. This event illustrates how strategic business decisions can foster economic opportunities across the Southeast.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
What major business transaction recently occurred in the regional convenience store market?
Completed the sale of Pops Mart’s entire enterprise, encompassing 54 convenience stores and its wholesale fuel distribution business. This significant multi-buyer deal highlights dynamic market shifts and strategic business decisions.
Who are the primary buyers of Pops Mart’s stores and wholesale business?
Sunoco LP purchased 36 of Pops Mart’s convenience stores along with its wholesale distribution business. Other entities, including Petroleum Marketing, acquired the remaining store locations.
Where were Pops Mart’s convenience stores located?
Operated locations across multiple states, specifically North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The former company headquarters was in Columbia, South Carolina.
What is the impact of this sale on the regional economy, particularly in South Carolina?
Introduces fresh capital and new ownership perspectives, potentially leading to updated facilities, new job opportunities, and continued local tax contributions. It also highlights the ongoing consolidation within the convenience store industry.
What broader market trends does the Pops Mart sale reflect?
Demonstrates the continuous cycle of growth, investment, and adaptation that defines a healthy market economy, creating avenues for new ownership and renewed focus on consumer service. It underscores the trend of consolidation and strategic investments in the convenience store industry.
Myrtle Beach: Regional Convenience Store Transaction Signals Dynamic Market Shifts
A significant transaction involving a prominent East Coast retailer has recently reshaped a segment of the regional convenience store market. Pops Mart, a company known for its network of 54 convenience stores and a substantial wholesale fuel distribution business, has completed the sale of its entire enterprise. This move highlights the dynamic nature of commercial growth and the strategic decisions entrepreneurs make to adapt and thrive in an evolving economic landscape. Such business transitions often reflect broader market trends and underscore the vital role of private investment in fostering economic activity across regions like South Carolina.
For communities throughout the Southeast, including those connected to the Myrtle Beach SC business environment, understanding these larger economic currents is crucial. The entrepreneurial spirit in our state often leads to businesses growing from humble beginnings into significant regional players. When such entities undergo strategic changes, it not only impacts the direct employees and operations but also sends ripples through the supply chains, local services, and competitive landscape. This particular divestment illustrates how strategic decisions by businesses, driven by market conditions and investor interest, can catalyze new phases of development and opportunity.
The sale of Pops Mart’s operations offers a compelling case study in the evolution of regional commerce and the strategic deployment of capital. It demonstrates the continuous cycle of growth, investment, and adaptation that defines a healthy market economy, creating avenues for new ownership and renewed focus on consumer service.
Pops Mart’s Strategic Divestment: A Multi-Buyer Deal
Pops Mart Fuel has finalized the sale of its 54 convenience stores and its wholesale distribution arm. This comprehensive divestment was structured as a multi-buyer deal, with the retail and fueling business being acquired by three separate entities. This approach often allows sellers to maximize value and find suitable operational fits for different segments of their business. Sunoco LP emerged as a primary buyer in this transaction, acquiring a significant portion of Pops Mart’s assets.
Specifically, Sunoco LP purchased 36 of Pops Mart’s 54 convenience stores. Along with these retail locations, Sunoco also acquired Pops Mart’s wholesale distribution business. This acquisition strategy by Sunoco LP is anticipated to boost its existing operations and market presence. The remaining stores were acquired by other buyers, including Petroleum Marketing. The stores operated by Pops Mart were located across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, indicating a multi-state footprint for the former retailer.
Understanding the Convenience Store Market: Consolidation and Investment
The convenience store industry, both nationally and within the Southeast, is characterized by ongoing consolidation and strategic investments. Larger entities often seek to expand their networks through acquisitions, leveraging economies of scale in purchasing, distribution, and operational efficiencies. This trend can be a boon for South Carolina entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses, providing clear pathways for strategic exits or partnerships. The sale of Pops Mart’s extensive network to multiple buyers, including a major player like Sunoco, reflects this broader industry movement where size and strategic reach often provide a competitive advantage. This dynamic environment encourages robust private investment, which is a cornerstone of sustained Midlands economic growth.
Impact on the Regional Economy and Small Businesses
While the direct locations of the 54 Pops Mart stores span multiple states, the transaction has implications for the broader Richland County economy, given Pops Mart’s Columbia-based roots. Such large-scale business transitions bring fresh capital and new ownership perspectives to the market. For communities within South Carolina, these changes can lead to updated facilities, new job opportunities under different management, and continued local tax contributions. The entrance of new operators or the expansion of existing ones can also spur competition, potentially benefiting consumers through improved services and offerings. The resilience of Myrtle Beach small business owners and other local enterprises often lies in their ability to adapt to these shifts, finding niches and maintaining strong community ties.
Key Features of Pops Mart Sale
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Total Stores Sold | 54 | Multi-State (NC, SC, WI) |
| Wholesale Business | Included in sale | Multi-State (NC, SC, WI) |
| Number of Buyers | 3 | Multi-State (NC, SC, WI) |
| Primary Buyer | Sunoco LP | Nationwide (operating) |
| Stores Acquired by Sunoco LP | 36 | Multi-State (NC, SC, WI) |
| Other Buyers Mentioned | Petroleum Marketing | Multi-State (NC, SC, WI) |
| Former HQ Location | Columbia | State-level (South Carolina) |
Fostering an Environment for Economic Growth
The successful sale of a business like Pops Mart underscores the importance of a favorable economic climate that encourages both entrepreneurial endeavor and strategic investment. When regulatory burdens are manageable and market conditions allow for healthy competition, businesses are more likely to grow, innovate, and, when the time is right, find valuable opportunities for divestment or expansion. This cycle of enterprise creation, development, and strategic transaction is a testament to the robust vitality of the American economy and its capacity for continuous evolution. It highlights how private sector activity, fueled by ambition and capital, remains a primary engine of job creation and economic prosperity.
Looking Ahead: Supporting Local Commerce
The recent sale of Pops Mart’s convenience store and wholesale fuel operations marks a significant moment in the regional business landscape. It exemplifies the dynamic nature of commerce and the continuous evolution that shapes our local economies. As new ownership assumes operations, the focus remains on providing essential services to communities and contributing to the overall economic health of areas like the Richland County economy. We encourage our readers to continue supporting local businesses, whether they are newly acquired enterprises or long-standing independent establishments, as their vitality is crucial for the ongoing prosperity of Myrtle Beach SC business and the wider South Carolina region.
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
