What C-Stores Should Expect this Summer
It’s no secret that convenience stores took a major hit during the pandemic. With early indications of society’s eagerness to take on new travels and return to a semblance of normal, c-stores should be ready for a great deal of business in the near future.
According to the latest National Association of Convenience Stores Retailer Member Pulse Survey, optimism is in the air for the U.S. and c-store owners. Leisure travel and routine shopping trips are anticipated to go back to pre-pandemic levels this summer, bringing in more traffic and business than ever. As we head into the heat of summer, here are three things that c-stores should expect.
An Increase in Sales That Were Decreased During the Pandemic
Prior to COVID-19, c-stores were responsible for 80% of the fuel purchased in the United States. The pandemic produced a 13%decrease in fuel sales at c-stores due to the lessened customer traffic.
With the easing of pandemic restrictions and vaccines being distributed, the survey states that anticipated summer travel and commuting patterns should bring the percentage close to pre-pandemic levels.
C-stores are also anticipating about a 43% growth in cold beverage and coffee sales. Due to the lack of driving during the pandemic, sales in these items decreased roughly 10%-15% depending on location. Because of this, c-stores began offering different discount opportunities, a popular one being discounts for repeat purchases of an item. This tactic helped increase in-person business and sales.
Immediate consumption foods, including candy bars and chips, are estimated to see a 62% rise in sales. Pre-pandemic, 83% of the items purchased at c-stores were these immediate consumption foods. Additionally, 36% of c-stores said they were focusing on adding multi-serve meals and premade foods to their inventory, while another 13% decided to add more stock-up grocery and pantry items to their stores.
Though many items have seen immense growth in purchase rates in the recent weeks, self-serve options, including soft-serve and soda machines, may still be on hiatus.
Continuing Safety Measures and Encouraging Vaccinations for All Employees
With COVID-19 vaccines accessible nationwide, c-stores are encouraging their employees to get vaccinated, while also ensuring safety protocols are in place at the physical stores.
Additionally, 34% of c-stores have offered paid time off for employees to get their vaccines, 26% have helped coordinate and find vaccine locations for their employees, and 10% have offered monetary incentives.
Getting employees vaccinated encourages and promotes safety for others. This creates an atmosphere for customers to feel comfortable without wearing a mask while shopping inside of stores, in turn, increasing foot traffic.
Continued Top-Tier Customer Service and the Development of Service Expansions
Even with a large drop in sales for c-stores during the pandemic, there were many lessons learned that will be leveraged to help them grow in the future.
One example of this is contactless payments. Services such as Apple Pay have become extremely popular and convenient for customers. Home delivery and curbside pickup have also become wildly popular and are features c-stores intend to continue offering.
In fact, 20% of c-stores are likely to begin offering services such as drive-thru and delivery in the coming months and years because of the convenience factor for customers.
As the end of the pandemic nears, the main focus this summer will be the value and intent of top-tier customer service. The pandemic was tough for many people, so kindness, patience, and joy is especially needed in interactions these days.
Being friendly and personable towards customers will continue to build community support, encourage business and ensure we continue to see growth in c-stores post-pandemic.
- Published in Mobile, Technology
How to Make Healthy Choices at Convenience Stores
In convenience store environments, there is a growing emphasis on fresher, healthier foods, particularly those that are all-natural or organic, high-protein, vegan, gluten-free and produced from vegetable protein sources. According to CSP Daily News, 63% of customers surveyed said they’d like to see more healthy foods offered, while 46% are seeking healthier options than they were just two years ago.
Studies show that consumers would be more likely to visit c-stores if they offered healthier food and drink options. Younger millennials and Generation Z are more attracted to a healthier lifestyle, beginning with their eating habits. All demographics and generations have higher expectations for the quality of the foods they eat. So, how can you find healthy options at convenience stores? Here are a few ways.
Find Alternatives for the Unhealthy Food You’re Craving
While c-stores are typically known for selling junk food, desserts, and quick grab-and-go items, there are healthier alternatives you can choose from if you’re looking in the right place. Some of these foods include pre-packaged nuts, fruit, and pre-made salads.
With c-stores providing grocery items and healthier food options, it not only increases the accessibility of healthier foods and meals, but also hits important food groups including fruits and vegetables. This is especially important for those in low-income areas and food deserts and increases the accessibility of healthier food options.
The way that food is displayed has a big impact on what the consumer will be drawn to as they the c-store. Signs promoting fruits and vegetables, pre-made salads, and other healthy food choices will draw more attention to the store and items customers should look out for.
Read Labels
Oftentimes, something that may seem healthy really isn’t when you look at the ingredients or nutrition information. If you’re trying to make a health-conscious decision, read the label.
All labels and ingredients for products can be found online, so if you question something make sure to research it. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Some of the main ingredients you want to look for in food are fiber, protein, vitamin D, and calcium. Consumers have begun straying away from foods with excessive sugars and hidden chemicals which is what makes reading the ingredients on labels extra important.
Additionally, if there’s an ingredient on a label that you can’t pronounce, it may be better to put it back on the shelf and find an alternative.
Invest in Food Items Specific to Different Eating Habits
As society progresses and develops new eating habits, lifestyles and diets, c-stores must jump ahead of these trends and conform to these new normalities.
Dietary needs, such as lactose intolerance and gluten-free are becoming more normalized in today’s society and people are seeking out products that help them live those lifestyles.
Make sure that when you’re checking ingredients and purchasing products that you know what foods you can and cannot have based on your diet. For example, if you’re on a keto diet, what ingredients are acceptable? These are all things you should know prior to shopping.
Be Strategic About How You Shop
There are different strategies to ensure you are maximizing your healthy shopping experience. It is proven that most stores put the items they want you to buy on the perimeter of the store for easy access.
If you are not finding the healthy options you want, make sure you are looking throughout the middle of the store as well. Reading labels is also important to maximize your experience.
If you don’t have enough time to read the label or are confused, make sure you download Fooducate on the app store. This free app allows you to scan the barcode of any product and gives you a letter grade, the number of calories per serving, and additional relevant health-related information.
With healthy eating habits and lifestyles on the rise in society, c-stores are doing what they can to keep up and provide. By taking advantage of the options available in these stores you will be able to continue your healthy eating at c-store prices.
- Published in Mobile, Technology
How to Strategically Enhance Security Protection Measures In Your C-Store
If you are a convenience store owner, what measures do you take to ensure your location(s) are safe from any potential threats? As more and more customers return to c-stores, now is the time to re-evaluate your store’s security protection system.
Unfortunately, robberies and other types of crimes are bound to happen for even the most modern and security-heavy stores. We can’t always control or be aware of the mischievous plans of unruly individuals looking to cause trouble.
Yet, taking charge of implementing a reliable and sturdy security system in your c-store can assist with preventing misdeeds and loss at your shop. In this case, security-driven technology tools will become your best friend.
In order to protect your c-store from experiencing any type of illegal activity, it’s better to be proactive rather than reactive.
Here are three ways you can build out the security protection system at your c-store:
Install Working and Advanced Cameras that Hit Every Angle
Get ready to smile for the camera and say cheese! Almost every store has a camera system and there’s a significant reason behind this.
Employees can’t always be aware of all of the activity happening in a store at once. Therefore, customers with bad intentions will take advantage of stores and will try to perform sneaky moves, such as stealing or tampering with products.
While we wish this wasn’t a reality, we have to accept that it is. This is where a reliable camera system comes in to save your back.
Have you seen the latest camera offerings for stores? Every year, new types of cameras are made available to the public with the highest quality imaging and features.
Consider visiting your local tech shop, like Best Buy, or browsing through an online retailer to check out the latest camera products. Most likely, you’ll find a camera system that can hit all of the angles in your store.
Soon, you’ll be aware of all the activity, good and bad, happening in your store in real-time.
Protect Yourself Against Underage Product Purchases
Do you remember when you were under 21 years old? Most likely, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the purchase of your first adult beverage.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of eager underage individuals who want to purchase their first bottle of alcohol before they are legally allowed to do so. If you want to prevent any underage customers from purchasing alcohol at your store, consider investing in a device from ID Smart Lock.
ID Smart Lock provides advanced and custom identification locking devices for retail cooler doors and other age-restricted products. Through their devices, you can trust a secure system with verifying the identification of customers attempting to purchase age-restricted goods from your store.
Once your ID Smart Lock system is installed, you’ll know the customers buying age-restricted products from your location are legitimate. Get ready for a load of relief regarding this sensitive and often stressful verification process.
Invest In An Up-to-Date Alarm System
What kind of alarm system do you have in your c-store? When your shop is closed down for the day, your alarm system will be your ultimate defense – invest in one wisely.
While some c-store owners may use their alarm systems more than others, make sure you’re taking charge by always turning on your alarm system when leaving your shop unattended. You’ll never know when you need your alarm system to have your back.
Take time to analyze the current alarm system. Find out if it’s an up-to-date system that can reliably protect your store.
If you see room for improvement with your alarm system, it’s better to install a new one than rely on your outdated one before encountering a situation.
On top of having an advanced alarm system, make sure your staff is trained to understand and use the system. You’ll avoid a future headache of handling an alarm issue when you’re away from your store.
- Published in Technology