Best-Selling Phone Accessories for Convenience Stores (and How to Merchandise Them)
A customer with a dead phone doesn’t comparison shop. They buy the charger or cable in front of them, right now, and that’s why phone accessories are some of the best impulse items a convenience store can carry. They take up little space, they sell year-round, and the margin on a $10–$20 cable or charger is hard to beat.
But not every phone accessory turns at the same speed. Here’s what sells, how to set it up, and how to keep it from running out, based on what our convenience store, gas station and travel center customers reorder most.
The five phone accessories that sell fastest
1. Wall chargers with USB-C
Most new phones ship without a charging brick, so shoppers who lose or forget theirs need a new one. A fast-charging wall charger with both USB-C and USB-A ports covers nearly every phone on the market. Our best-selling item in the whole category is the 20W PD Wall Charger with dual USB. For customers with laptops and tablets, the 65W Super Fast Charger charges three devices at once.
2. Charging cables in several lengths
Cables are the bread and butter of the category. Stock the three connectors shoppers ask for, USB-C, Lightning and USB-A, in short (3–4 ft) and long (6–10 ft) lengths. Long cables are a steady seller for travelers and anyone who charges in bed. A multi-tip 3-in-1 cable is a smart add: one SKU works for almost any phone, which helps when a customer isn’t sure what they need.
3. Car chargers
Gas stations and travel centers sell car chargers all day. A 3.1 amp USB car charger placed near the register or the fuel desk catches drivers who just realized their phone is at 5%.
4. Power banks
Portable power banks carry a higher ticket and sell well to commuters, festival-goers and road trippers. A 10,000mAh power bank charges most phones two or more times, which is the capacity most shoppers want.
5. Earbuds
Wired earbuds with a USB-C plug have become a quick add-on for shoppers whose phones no longer have a headphone jack. They’re small, light and easy to hang on a peg next to the cables.
Displays vs. case packs: which should you buy?
If you’re adding phone accessories for the first time, start with a complete display program. A display arrives pre-assorted with a mix of the items above, so you don’t have to guess quantities, and it gives you a ready-made selling spot. Options range from countertop impulse displays to full floor displays, like the True Tech® Gift Center. You can also start smaller with a single shipper, such as our assorted cables shipper.
Once you know which items sell in your store, switch to reordering by item so you only restock what’s moving. Most True Tech® items can be reordered individually, by inner pack or by the case.
Where to put phone accessories in your store
- At or next to the register. This is where impulse buys happen. Even a small counter display beats a full rack in the back of the store.
- Near the fuel desk or front door. Drivers grab car chargers on their way out.
- Grouped by connector. Put USB-C, Lightning and USB-A cables in clearly separate rows so customers find their match in seconds.
- At eye level. Peg hooks at 4–5 feet get far more attention than bottom shelves.
Keep it full: reorder tips
An empty peg doesn’t sell anything. A few habits keep your display productive:
- Count weekly. Pick one day each week to count what’s left and reorder before anything runs out.
- Reorder winners, rotate losers. If a style sits for a month, swap it for a faster-moving item.
- Bundle orders. Combine phone accessories with other front-end items, like sunglasses, readers or lighters, to reach the order minimum and keep shipping costs down.
- Watch the seasons. Car chargers and power banks pick up before summer travel and the holidays.
Why True Tech®
True Tech® is our own line of mobile accessories, built for retail. Every item comes retail-packaged and ready to hang, the programs are designed for small footprints, and reorders ship from our warehouse in Omaha, Nebraska. Because we’re the direct importer, you get consistent quality and pricing without a middleman.
Frequently asked questions
What phone accessories sell best in a convenience store?
Wall chargers with USB-C, charging cables (USB-C, Lightning and USB-A in short and long lengths), car chargers, power banks and earbuds. Chargers and cables sell the most units.
How much space do I need?
Very little. A countertop display takes about one square foot, and a single 48-piece shipper fits on an endcap or beside the register.
Is there an order minimum?
Orders of $75 or more ship without a service charge. Many stores combine phone accessories with other front-end items to reach it.
Get started
Browse the full mobile phone accessories catalog or the complete display programs. Have questions about which program fits your store? Call us at 866-597-0240. We’re happy to help you choose.
