There are two types of customers you’ll encounter as a convenience store owner.
The first customer is a creature of habit. Whether they rely on you for their daily coffee fix or go-to snack, their visits are like clockwork. All you need to do to keep them happy is keep your store well-stocked with their favorites.
The other type of shopper is always on the lookout for new items and flavors. They’ll browse your entire store before heading to the checkout counter, combing your aisles and coolers to look for something that sparks their interest.
To keep these adventurous customers coming back, you need to keep up with the hottest convenience store trends.
In this blog, we’ll explore four emerging convenience store trends you need to know — plus how to take advantage of them.
1. Offer Healthy Options
Today’s customers want to feel their best — and when they stop by your convenience store, they’re looking for options that support their health and wellness goals.
That’s why offering healthy options is such a crucial convenience store trend to take advantage of.
Along with your regular snack and beverage products, make sure to stock fresh, nutritious options that meet a wide range of dietary needs.
You can also rearrange a few of your aisles and use eye-catching signage to highlight gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-free selections, making shopping a breeze for health-conscious customers.
To determine how well this convenience store trend works for your business, set aside time to regularly review your sales reports and identify which products your shoppers gravitate towards. From there, you can fine-tune your offerings to match their preferences.
2. Provide Quick, Affordable Meals
As restaurant prices continue to rise, consumers are on the hunt for affordable meal options.
Fortunately for them, your convenience store can meet this need.
Offering made-to-order options like sandwiches, wraps, and salads is a growing convenience store trend — and for good reason. It gives shoppers a new reason to visit your store and make a larger purchase, boosting your overall sales and generating repeat business.
For example, a shopper might stop in for a soda and snack, and then decide to add an entree to their order. The next time they need a quick meal, your convenience store will be top of mind.
Successfully adapting to this convenience store trend depends on your point of sale (POS) system having quick-service restaurant functionality, so look for a solution that includes features like item modifications, kitchen printing, and tip management.
3. Prioritize Sustainability
Sustainability is sweeping the retail industry. Retailers are on a mission to minimize their environmental impact — and customers have taken notice. In fact, over half of consumers are willing to spend more when they know a business takes sustainability seriously.
Adopting planet-friendly best practices is a great want to stay on trend and set your convenience store apart from the competition.
Let’s take a look at a few ideas to inspire your sustainability campaign:
- Carry brands that are well known for their responsible sourcing and production practices.
- Offer biodegradable packaging options for your made-to-order foods and drinks.
- Implement a “bring your own” cup policy for fountain drinks and coffee.
To make the most of this trend, inform your customers about your efforts via your marketing channels.
4. Encourage Customers To Treat Themselves
The amount of money consumers spend on themselves is trending up in a phenomenon experts are calling “treat yourself” culture.
Taking advantage of this convenience store trend can lead to more sales and a larger customer base — but only if you use the right strategies.
Launch promotions that entice shoppers to indulge in their favorite treats. For example, you might offer a mix and match special on a snack and drink, encouraging them to spend more and treat themselves.
Convenience Store Trends That Stand the Test of Time
Offering healthier snacks, affordable meals, sustainable options, and enticing promotions can give your business a major boost — but convenience store success still relies on nailing the basics.
That’s why you need a powerful POS solution to keep checkout lines short, ensure your shelves are perfectly stocked, and provide you with the insights you need to better meet customers’ needs.
With robust inventory management features, a built-in customer loyalty program, and an advanced reporting and analytics suite, POS Nation checks all the boxes.
See how POS Nation can help you stay ahead of the curve by scheduling your personalized demo today.
