Navigating regulated business licenses is a complex and high-stakes task for convenience store operators. With stores selling a broad range of products - alcohol, tobacco, food, lottery tickets, and more - each location may need 8 to 10 or more licenses across multiple jurisdictions. While many retailers believe they have compliance under control, the risks of noncompliance - fines, business disruptions, and reputational damage - are significant.

Key insights:

• 66% of respondents said authorities are becoming stricter with licensing enforcement.
• Nearly half learned about compliance issues through audits or inspections.
• Only 6% of retailers have a dedicated compliance department.
• Most stores rely on small internal teams to manage hundreds of licenses annually.
• Licensing is especially critical during store openings, acquisitions, and staff transitions.

​The white paper highlights the value of centralized systems, automation, and expert support to reduce risk and ensure ongoing compliance. Avalara recommends leveraging technology and experienced partners to streamline license management and protect business continuity.