Fueling Flavor, Loyalty & Lifestyle: How C-Stores Are Becoming America’s New Grocerant Destination

 

As the Grocerant Guru®, I’ve long championed the evolution of convenience retailing into a dynamic grocerant experience—where fresh food, frictionless tech, and brand relevance converge. The latest 2025 Convenience Store Trends Report from Intouch Insight confirms what we’ve been tracking for years: the grocerant niche is not just growing—it’s redefining the retail landscape.

Intouch Insight’s data-driven analysis reveals six key trends shaping the future of convenience stores. Let’s explore how each aligns with long-standing grocerant growth patterns and consumer brand migration behaviors.

 

1. Made-to-Order (MTO) Goes Mainstream

Intouch Insight Data:

·       85% of U.S. shoppers have tried MTO food at a convenience store

·       Hot-meal purchases rose from 29% in 2024 to 35% in 2025

Grocerant Alignment:

·       Customization is King: Grocerants thrive on personalization. MTO offerings mirror the grocerant model of fresh, fast, and flexible dining, meeting consumers’ desire for control over their meals.

·       Meal Migration: Consumers are shifting from traditional grocery aisles to prepared food zones. MTO meals accelerate this migration by offering restaurant-quality options without the wait.

 

2. Value Parity with QSRs

Intouch Insight Data:

·       72% now view c-stores as viable QSR alternatives, up from 56%

Grocerant Alignment:

·       Price-Perception Pivot: Grocerants have always competed on value. As c-stores match QSR pricing, they reinforce their role as affordable meal destinations.

·       Share-of-Stomach Strategy: Grocerants aim to capture more meal occasions. Value parity ensures they’re not just a snack stop but a full-fledged dining option.

 

3. Loyalty as an Engine

Intouch Insight Data:

·       72% of shoppers are in loyalty programs; 85% would join if rewards were personalized

·       Yet 65% of cashiers failed to mention loyalty

Grocerant Alignment:

·       Digital Dining Journeys: Grocerants increasingly rely on apps and digital touchpoints. Loyalty programs deepen engagement and drive repeat visits.

·       Personalization Power: Grocerants succeed when they treat every customer like a regular. Personalized rewards mimic the neighborhood diner experience—digitally.

 

4. Retail Media Turns Screens into Salespeople

Intouch Insight Data:

·       47% noticed digital ads on-site (up from 27%)

·       Over one-third made a purchase because of them

Grocerant Alignment:

·       Visual Merchandising Evolution: Grocerants have long used visual cues to drive impulse buys. Digital screens amplify that strategy with dynamic, targeted content.

·       Brand Storytelling: Retail media allows grocerants to showcase local partnerships, seasonal specials, and chef-inspired items—building brand identity in real time.

 

5. EV Charging Drives Incremental Visits

Intouch Insight Data:

·       20% choose stores for EV chargers; 45% of millennials over-index

Grocerant Alignment:

·       Dwell Time = Dining Time: Grocerants benefit from longer visits. EV charging creates a captive audience primed for food, drink, and discovery.

·       Lifestyle Integration: Grocerants are lifestyle hubs. Offering EV charging aligns with sustainability values and positions c-stores as forward-thinking destinations.

 

6. Clean Stores, Trusted Food

Intouch Insight Data:

·       70% say cleanliness influences food freshness perception

Grocerant Alignment:

·       Freshness First: Grocerants win when they look and feel clean. Cleanliness is a proxy for quality—and a non-negotiable in foodservice.

·       Trust Building: Consistent cleanliness builds brand trust, encouraging trial and repeat visits—especially for fresh-prepared items.

 

Grocerant Guru’s Three Steps to the Future (Beyond the Report)

1.       Hyperlocal Menu Innovation:
C-stores must embrace regional flavors and seasonal ingredients to differentiate and deepen community ties.

2.       Seamless Cross-Platform Ordering:
Integrating mobile, voice, and in-store ordering systems will create frictionless experiences that mirror top-tier grocerants.

3.       Experiential Zones:
Adding seating, music, and interactive food demos transforms c-stores into social spaces—where people come to linger, not just refuel.

 

Convenience retailing is no longer about speed alone—it’s about satisfaction, personalization, and lifestyle alignment. Thanks to Intouch Insight’s robust data, we see clearly how the grocerant niche is driving this transformation. The future belongs to those who blend food, tech, and trust into every visit.

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