Consumers who want to wet their whistle on the run will continue to make juices and teas big sellers at c-stores. Increasingly, shoppers are targeting healthy and functional options when reaching for teas and juices. Canned and bottled tea notched sales of nearly $1.6 billion in the convenience channel for the 52 weeks ending Dec.…

Chicken has become a popular item in convenience stores – but is it right for your convenience store? It can be if, first and foremost, the operator accepts that he is embracing a significantly different business model. “Any c-store considering a chicken or other foodservice program must understand they are not just adding a new category,”…

Spurred by pandemic lifestyle changes, more Americans are drinking increasing amounts of beer and wine. The flip side, however, is that customers have come to expect a high level of convenience in terms of online ordering and delivery options that c-store operators may consider integrating as competition grows. The convenience store channel saw sales of…

Nuts and seeds both typify and reflect Americans’ growing obsession with health, which positions them for success throughout 2022 and beyond. While prices have risen due in part to the pandemic, and will likely continue to rise, consumers are expected to adjust to the increases, given their demand for the category.  Snack nut sales totaled…

Having weathered the dip in sales caused by the pandemic and concomitant withering of the morning daypart, hot dispensed beverages are staging a comeback. The best-selling hot beverage items tend to be single-origin coffees, flavored coffees and syrups with a natural element such as honey. Interestingly, stores are seeing stronger sales behind decaffeinated varieties, suggesting…

The chocolate and non-chocolate candy categories are both expected to perform well in 2022, fueled by a desire for value, new product launches, a return to pre-pandemic shopping patterns and America’s enduring sweet tooth. Chocolate candy should continue to increase market share, according to Rockville, Md.-based Marketresearch.com, with bite-sized and dark chocolates leading the way.…

There may be no single product sub-category in a convenience store that embodies the concept of convenience as well as travel-size health and beauty aid (HBA) items, which are designed to let consumers sprint through their lives without breaking stride. That’s why it makes so much sense for c-stores to keep them in stock. While…

When considering which health and beauty aid (HBA) products to sell at your c-store, keep in mind: Numbers don’t lie. Up-to-date, c-store-specific data is important in tracking ever-evolving consumer trends. So, what are the most popular, best-selling HBA products in convenience stores? According to NielsenIQ statistics for the convenience store channel for the 52-week period…

Upselling — the sales technique by which a retail establishment convinces a customer to purchase more expensive items, upgrades or add-ons to generate additional revenue — can bolster a bottom line. So how can convenience stores upsell candy? The answer lies in employee education and motivation, strong promotional offers and effective marketing and merchandising. Two…

Health and beauty aid (HBA) is a destination category, which means consumers coming into a c-store are looking for immediate relief. The key to maximizing sales is to have what consumers need — clearly and conveniently displayed, often in a single-use package. The category has taken a hit during the pandemic, as many people stayed…