Sixty-seven percent of c-store retailers expect sales increases during the second quarter of 2019 over the same period last year, according to the NACS Retailer Sentiment Survey.
The quarterly survey tracks retailer sentiment related to their businesses, the industry and the economy.
A total of 68 NACS member companies, representing a cumulative 2,204 stores, participated in the April 2019 survey.
The survey yielded the following information:
- 79% say that they expect fuel sales from April through June to at least match sales from the same period last year
- 69% are overall optimistic about the economy this quarter, which is a five-point drop from the same period last year
- 52% say that their sandwich and meal sales will help drive sales growth this quarter
- 22% of c-store retailers say fruits and vegetables (including salads and cut fruit) will lead sales growth
- 22% say that healthy packaged snacks will lead growth
- Half said they expect energy drink sales to increase
- 38% expect an increase in bottled water sales
- 16% of retailers expect coffee sales to increase, despite competition from quick-service restaurants for the morning coffee customer
