Convenience stores are the go-to destination for beverages, the National Association of Convenience Stores said.
Packaged beverages, excluding beer, wine and liquor, made up 17.9% of in-store sales and 21.2% of gross profit dollars for c-stores in 2024, NACS said Wednesday when it released industry performance numbers during its State of the Industry Summit.
More than one third of customers, or 37.4%, who purchased packaged beverages also purchased prepared food in the same trip, NACS said. Foodservice plus packaged beverages accounted for 60.8% of in-store profit dollars in 2024.
Energy drinks lead packaged beverage sales, representing 27.8% of overall category dollars. Here’s a breakdown of the other segments, according to NACS:
- Carbonated soft drinks 26%
- Sports drinks 15%
- Bottled water 12.4%
- Iced tea, juices, enhanced water and other packaged beverages 18.8%
Founded in 1961 as the National Association of Convenience Stores, Alexandria, Virginia-based NACS advances the role of convenience stores as positive economic, social and philanthropic contributors to the communities they serve and is an adviser to retailer and supplier members from more than 50 countries.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.