Convenience Stores Industry Sales Growing

October 18th, 2016 by Fiedler Group

Citing numerous industry sources, Barbara Harfmann’s recent report in “Beverage Industry” highlights the growth of consumer activity at convenience stores throughout the nation.

Industry findings supporting the growth in convenience store sales include:

Forty-four percent of consumers are visiting convenience stores more frequently, with more than half indicating they visit more often than they did two years ago (Chicago-based Datassential, which surveyed 1,000 consumers and 150 operators for its June “C-Store Keynote Report.”).

Lower gas prices and more customer driving in the first half of 2016 has helped convenience store sales. Additionally, the continued addition of fresh and healthy food options has further increased consumer interest in convenience stores. (Alexandria, Va.-based National Association of Convenience Stores).

“More than two in three convenience retailers (70 percent) say that in-store sales in the first half of 2016 were higher than the same period last year, while a majority (54 percent) stated that fuel sales also were higher compared to the first half of 2015.” (Jeff Lenard, vice president of strategic industry initiatives for NACS, citing a July survey released by the association).

“Convenience stores account for more than 42 percent of all packaged beverage sales in the country, factoring in all sales from convenience stores, grocery, drug and mass merchandisers. C-stores also sell the majority of beer purchased in the country (59 percent), … and beer sales at convenience stores increase 9 percent over the summer months.” (according to Nielsen data).

Convenience stores outperformed both industry average and competing channels – traditional grocery stores, drug stores and wholesale club stores. (Chicago-based Information Resources Inc.).

Beverage sales have been impressive in convenience stores, with impressive 6.7 percent growth rate in dollars.. “This is important since beverages (including liquor) account for one-third of channel sales,” (Susan Viamari, vice president of Thought Leadership).

Building on strong energy drinks sales, convenience stores will continue to dominate in these sales. “In the next five years, convenience/gas stores are expected to expand their already-dominant share of energy drink volume,” the report states. “As a result, the channel will constitute a majority of the market (50.2 percent in 2019) for the first time since 2005.” (Beverage Marketing Corporation’s 11/2015 report titled “US Energy Drinks Through 2019).

The complete text of Barbara Harfmann’s article can be found at https://www.bevindustry.com/articles/89596-convenience-stores-appeal-to-the-masses.

To learn more about Fiedler Group’s expertise in the convenience store design please contact us today.