If you had any doubt that place is a powerful influencer, take the humble pizza.
In New York, big, floppy, chewy crust is the norm. In Chicago, deep-dish reigns, with rich sauce floating atop an inch of melted cheese. And in California, pies play with fresh and unique toppings, from shrimp to Japanese eggplant.
This same sense of place shapes consumers’ convenience needs and preferences. What motivates shoppers in Portland can depend on whether they live in the state of Oregon or Maine.
To get a better sense of how regional differences play out in the channel, CSP and Technomic surveyed 2,500 c-store customers in the Northeast, South, Midwest and West in fall 2016. Questions gauged their attitudes on everything from when they visit c-stores to their foodservice cravings and attitudes about gasoline brands. The results reveal some key areas of differences between c-store customers, depending on where they live:
- Midwest customers are value seekers, while western shoppers are looking for more healthful food options.
- Southern customers place a high priority on a clean, safe c-store, and northeastern shoppers above all need a fresh meal, fast.
- Low gasoline prices drive southern customers looking for a fill-up, while westerners are most likely to focus on the fuel brand.
The survey also found some key commonalities—in particular, around consumers’ use of technology such as smartphones, and the opportunity that c-stores across the country have to engage consumers through mobile.
Learn how to better tailor your store to the locals with the 2016 CSP Consumer Study: Examining Regional Differences at C-Stores.
Table of Contents
Regional Variations
Fresh—and Fast—Food
Taking Time for Tech
Fueling Up the Visit
Millennials' Taste for Tobacco
The Complete 2017 Consumer Package
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