Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Convenience Store Fresh Food is Finding Friends




Back in the day convenience store were used to fill-up the car or for a fill-in purchase at an odd hour.  Not any longer. Today, six in 10 consumers (59%) and seven in 10 of those age 18-34 (70%) say that convenience stores offer food that they feel comfortable eating. 

Foodservice sales at convenience stores increased 9.7% in 2014, according to NACS data.  The restaurant sector and grocery sectors each are feeling the effect of migrating customers according to Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru™. 

C-store are stocking and selling  more fresh and nutritious food. “Overall, 44% of Americans say that convenience stores offer nutritious items, which is a strong increase from the 30% who felt that way in 2013. In addition, 43% say that convenience stores are a place to get fresh food items” according to a Nielsen study.

Convenience stores sales of fresh fruits and vegetables (whole commodities like apples, bananas and oranges as well as fresh-cut/value-added produce like prepared salads, fruit cups and other packaged produce) increased 10.3% to $362 million in 2014, according to the Nielsen data.

“Convenience stores are increasingly becoming food markets for time-starved consumers seeking snacks, meals and grocery items that are both fast and healthy,” said Steve Loehr, vice president of operations at LaCrosse, WI-based convenience store chain Kwik Trip.

This year six in 10 American consumers (61%) say that convenience stores are offering healthier, nutritious products and serving sizes. This was the third consecutive year that a majority of Americans say that convenience stores are providing more better-for-you items according to the Nielsen report.

The grocerant niche filled with Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food is driving change in the evolving food landscape. Does your company need a set of Outside-Eye’s? Are you looking A Customer Ahead? 

Are you trapped doing what you have always done and doing it the same way?  Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions 5P’s of Food Marketing can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participationdifferentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information

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