Snacks are set to grow so tap into the opportunity ¹

The main reasons to snack are for a treat or  ‘on-the-go’ consumption. ‘Food to Go’ is projected to grow 20% by 2026  and Convenience stores account for over 29.5% of ‘Food to Go’ sales.¹ 

Snacks are 50% of ‘Food to Go’ purchases and 60% Food to Go occasions include a hot drink. Breakfast and lunch represent a key opportunity for c-stores.²

Recommendations for stores:

• Have a clear, signposted ‘Food to Go’ offer covering all day parts Breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon, and after-evening meal
• Have a range of offerings including healthier options to more indulgent offers
• Link snacks to hot beverages or meal deals

_{¹ MCA Food to Go report Feb 2020}

_{² MCA Ltd 2019}

Value is increasingly important to consumers

More than half the shoppers in convenience buy price-marked packs.¹

With the current economic climate value is key, but doesn’t always mean low prices, there will still be some shoppers who want to trade up, and in fact more shoppers than ever are looking for premium products.²

When shoppers are concerned about money, they tend to plan more and often we see customers purchasing early for the seasons.

Recommendations

• Highlight value
• Offer a range of price points and consider including a premium offer
• Consider ‘price marked packs’ ¹ to help drive quick purchase decisions and perception of value, but in times of inflation consider category by category.
• Start early when it comes to Christmas and Easter

_{¹ Retailers are free to set their own prices. Non PMP packs are available.}

_{² Lumina CTP 2021}

Local is important to shoppers

78% of shoppers think it’s good to support local retailers, but customer service and range are key.

60% of convenience shoppers say they would spend more locally if new products were introduced and highlighted to them.¹

In difficult economic times some shoppers keep local to save fuel costs and focus on regular small basket spends to manage budgets.

Recommendations:

• Stock New lines and products highlighted in the media.
• Highlight local products

_{¹ Newtrade Insight, The perfect Launch 2021}

Brands help give reassurance and are the preference in convenience retail.¹

In fact 71% of shoppers like buying brands rather than own label and 88% of baskets contain only branded products.¹

Brands are the preference in c-store retail

Recommendations

• Stock trusted brands and use brands to signify quality
• Focus on best sellers to improve sales and efficiency.

_{¹ Lumina CTP 2021}

46% Convenience store shoppers would use their local store for delivery.

Here are 3 ways to win over those consumers who are ‘open’ to using on-demand convenience:

• 50% would use c-store delivery on a distress mission
• 90% would be satisfied with delivery in a specific time slot that same day
• 81% would definitely order if delivery fee was under £2.49

_{Source: Lumina Research & Analysis 2021}

Recommendations

• Target big night in and sharing occasions – these are the most popular bundle deals.
• Cater for key demographic groups (premium & sharing).
• Offer a small and credible range for a meal deal including chocolate single bars.

Growth of wellbeing

Veganism is growing and there is a general growing interest in sourcing of ingredients, as customers want to understand what they are consuming.

We also see a general growth in products that offer benefits for example protein bars.

Recommendations

• Sign-post products that offer these benefits.
• If space permits, consider bespoke areas for these products.