Foodservice No. 1 Driver for C-store Stops

NACS Daily
February 28, 2018

A new survey by AlixPartners found that prepared foods and dispensed beverages top the list of consumer purchases in convenience stores. 

NEW YORK CITY – Convenience stores should focus on foodservice, including healthy options, according to a new survey from AlixPartners, Chain Store Age reports. Foodservice (27%) came in first for what consumers bought at convenience stores, followed by packaged beverages (17%) and cigarettes (13%). Foodservice included prepared foods as well as hot, cold or frozen dispensed beverages. 

Foodservice eating and purchase frequency has been increasing, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.2% since 2012. However, the survey recommended that retailers who offer more choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner will be best able to continue that growth. To that end, healthier foods will be necessary because 45.6% of consumers want “better for you” options. 

Other findings from its Convenience-Store Consumer Survey include that factors going into stopping at a convenience store for a meal are location (21%), price (18%) and food quality (14%). However, older consumers favor location and convenience, while Gen X and millennials point to price and food quality as deciding factors. 

Consumers also like convenience stores that offer in-store dining areas, drive-thru windows and delivery, as well as self-checkout, mobile coupons and mobile loyalty programs.