What’s fueling a rise in convenience store profits? It’s not actually fuel, it’s food. Convenience stores across the country have been doing more to invite their fuel-only customers inside the store where higher profit margin food selections await – and those efforts are paying off.
Don’t Ignore These Convenience Store Food Offering Trends
Customers’ perceptions of convenience store food are changing, and along with that comes increased expectations. Explore these five trends in convenience store food offerings to bring more customers inside your store.
1. Fresh is Best
Once customers realized that convenience store food offerings could be part of a healthy lifestyle, they began to demand more. They want a selection of fresh fruit, fresh ingredients in sandwiches, and fresh salad options. At the same time, they want fresh flavors, too. The hottest flavor trends point to bold global flavors and a balance between flavor and nutrition.
2. Snack Attack
In the snack department of convenience store food offerings, the most significant trend is a surge of interest in alternative snacks, such as protein bars, meal replacement bars, high fiber bars, plant-based bars, and granola bars. Smaller grab-n-go items, such as hot appetizers and finger foods, are also increasing in popularity.
3. Functional Food
The customer’s relationship with food is changing. It’s beginning to be less about what food can do to you, and more about what food can do for you. Today’s consumers want protein for energy, probiotics for digestive health, antioxidants for overall wellness, and the list goes on. Products packaged with a functional food message catch the eye of many consumers and are a must-have in your selection of convenience store food offerings.
4. Vegetarian Goes Mainstream
The transition from calling meatless products “plant-based” rather than “vegetarian” is a clue to how these options are moving toward the mainstream. Studies show that 30% of today’s consumers choose meatless options at least once a week, even though they’re not following a vegetarian diet overall.
5. All-Day Breakfast Options
It’s been a long time since eggs were demonized as bad for your health, and since then more and more consumers are looking to eggs as a healthy source of protein. Consumers are seeking out traditional breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos for lunch and dinner as well.
Food Service for Convenience Stores
Food service in your convenience store requires specific training to ensure employees are following food safety guidelines as well delivering exceptional service related to food service. Remember, training is an ongoing process. Be sure to follow up your online training with on-the-job lessons and mentoring as part of a blended learning strategy..
Online Training Through the trainingGrid® LMS
trainingGrid® is an LMS developed with you and your employees in mind. Its intuitive design makes learning management simple and allows employees to begin training with just a click. This flexible system comes with a variety of robust features customizable to fit your needs in addition to built-in reporting and certification tools that track your compliance documentation.
Request a guided demonstration of trainingGrid® today!
