My research says cigs are 13% profit margin for stores. So not trivial by any means. And 40% of convenience store (not pharmacy) gross sales are tobacco.
Health and beauty aides are 40-50. Prescriptions are 100 or more. The cost to carry all brands has risen dramatically since tax increases. The theft is high on these items. At best they create traffic for other sales.
Have to be, they don’t make squat on beer or gas.