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Consumers’ preference for convenience and on-the-go snacks and drinks have made convenience stores a popular fixture in the retail landscape. While traditional convenience stores offer candy bars, chips, sodas, and cigarettes, more are offering healthier options to capture a wider audience. That means convenience stores are in the midst of a fluctuating market for both food and beverages. What’s the current beverage scene? And how can beverage-sellers get a competitive edge?
The convenience store market is fiercely competitive. There are over 148,000 convenience stores throughout the United States—with many boasting more than 10,000 square feet of store space. Convenience stores sell billions of dollars in food annually—generating $220 billion in 2020. Analyzing the convenience store market can be a daunting task, and companies who want to stay ahead of the curve must keep up with the latest data.
At Brizo, our team unearths beverage trends to help companies better understand the foodservice and convenience store market. We provide in-depth menu data, restaurant tech coverage, and sales prospecting information to help leaders better market and expand operations. By leveraging data, you can uncover the latest insights to target prospective buyers and make data-driven decisions.
Current Beverage Trends in Convenience Stores
Convenience stores are no longer just a place to grab a candy bar and a soda. Savvy store owners are stocking their shelves with better-for-you snacks and beverages while introducing unique offerings like craft beers, kombucha, and kombucha-style drinks.
Non-alcoholic drinks are also on the rise at convenience stores, with cold-brew coffee, sparkling water, and other flavored and ready-to-drink beverages like iced teas and energy drinks. Health-conscious customers are increasingly looking for options beyond soda—and Eric Gasperis, research director at Numerator, told Convenience Store News that customers “want to have choices when they go looking for beverages.”
Alcohol is also a significant portion of beverage sales in convenience stores. Alcoholic beverages are increasingly popular, with beer sales in convenience stores seeing a 5.2% growth and wine-and-spirits sales rising by 22.1% in 2020. Craft beers continue to be a top choice among drinkers, and convenience store owners should consider stocking their shelves with specialized beers.
marketing Convenience Store Beverages to Prospective Buyers
The convenience store market is highly competitive. Knowing how to market convenience store beverages is critical for businesses to get a competitive edge.
Data-driven insights are a great way to target prospective buyers and meet the demands of a ever-changing landscape. At Brizo, our insights provide companies with the answers to key questions like: What are the current beverage trends in convenience stores? Where are they located? How do these trends vary across regions and sectors?
With Audience Builder, users gain extensive market insights to drill down on demographics, buying habits, market growth, and more. Data-driven insights allow marketers to craft targeted campaigns that reach right customers.
Expanding Your Convenience Store Beverage Repertoire
Staying ahead in the convenience store market for beverages isn’t just about marketing—manufacturers must find creative ways to introduce and expand their offerings.
Convenience stores have changed dramatically over the last few years, and customers expect to see more than the classics. Offering a diverse selection of beverage products can help companies differentiate themselves from competitors. Manufacturers should consider introducing new innovations to capture customer attention and drive consistent sales.
Conclusion
Convenience stores are firmly entrenched in the retail landscape, and understanding the beverage scene is a critical factor for success. By leveraging data-driven insights and creativity, beverage-sellers can position themselves as frontrunners in the competitive convenience store market.
