Retailers and c-store industry figures have come together to congratulate Convenience Store on reaching its 21st birthday.

Kishor Patel, who runs three Nisa stores with his brother Pat in Bedfordshire, said: “Convenience Store hits the button, is dedicated to our sector, is sharp and focused with a mix of political, topical and trade news. I particularly like the in-depth coverage on issues to do with crime, anti-social behaviour and underage sales, which are paramount to today’s convenience retailing. My brother, my staff and myself wish C-Store a happy 21st birthday and best wishes for the future.”

For Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive David Rae, Convenience Store has become “a must- read publication for retailers, suppliers and for the team here at ACS”.

He continued: “Providing analysis, news and information, Convenience Store is one of the essential support services to the independent retailer, and countless businesses will have benefited from reading the magazine over the past 21 years.”

He added: “Congratulations on your 21st birthday, and here’s to 21 more years of insight on the fantastic industry that is c-store retailing.”

Spar managing director Jerry Marwood said the c-store sector owed much to Convenience Store for championing the cause of independent retailers and “helping to ensure the survival of local neighbourhood stores”.

C-Store columnist Jac Roper was the original features editor on the magazine when it launched in February 1985. She remembers it as “a real pleasure in being part of something that was moving into a new and interesting market”.

She continued: “Few people had heard of the term convenience store in those days, so we didn’t know when we launched the magazine what was going to happen - not only with the magazine but also the market. Thankfully, those fears were quickly put to one side and I’m still proud to be associated with the magazine 21 years on.”