Consumer demand for coffee is increasing and as a result, so are coffee sales at many convenience stores. While consumer behavior is one of the main factors contributing to the boost in sales, offering new, trendy drinks using equipment that can prepare and dispense freshly ground coffee drinks are also top factors that keep customers returning to c-stores throughout the day.
Mornings aren’t the only time that consumers crave coffee anymore. Hot, iced, cold-brew coffees and more have changed that by providing coffee lovers with more options of the drink they can enjoy during any daypart.
Thus, as consumer demand for coffee continues to rise, having coffee equipment that can prepare and serve fresh coffee all day, and that doesn’t require extra labor is a must-have for c-store retailers.
A shift in consumer habits requires more coffee on-the-go
There are many factors that are responsible for increased coffee sales, including increased commuting to work as many consumers return to the office.
According to the August 2024 State of the Market C-Store Coffee Trends report—developed and produced by CSP Intelligence—44% of c-store retailers listed investment in new coffee equipment that can make and dispense coffee as the top factor that has led to their operation’s increase in transactions for coffee. The next factor, which 39% of retailers listed, was added varieties of iced or cold-brew coffee, followed by 39% saying customers commuting to work more often and 39% saying added creamers and flavored syrups.
Convenience stores meet the needs of a lot of coffee drinkers who want speed and a variety of options that allow customization of their drinks. As a result, c-store retailers said they’re winning market share from traditional coffee players, including diners and coffeehouses, according to the report.
On-trend coffee offerings provide new flavors and customization
Trendy coffee offerings are also a driver of c-store coffee sales, with cold coffee drinks and flavored add-ins being the most trendy with consumers.
According to the State of the Market C-Store Coffee Trends report, 39% of c-store retailers said iced and cold-brew coffees are popular among consumers, while 39% said creamers and flavored syrups and 20% said iced or blended espresso drinks.
Many prepared coffee menu items offered at c-stores are drinks consumers prefer to what they can prepare at home with their own equipment, according to the State of the Market C-Store Coffee Trends report.
With commercial equipment, c-stores are able to provide a variety of fresh coffee options as part of their coffee program—from hot drip and iced coffee, flavored hot and iced coffee, cold-brew and nitro coffee, hot and iced espresso and frozen/blended coffee and espresso.
These new drinks resonate with consumers, as they offer the variety of different flavors and preparation styles of coffee necessary to keep them coming back throughout the course of the day.
Investment in better coffee equipment increases coffee sales
Investing in new coffee equipment provides good returns for c-store retailers. Not only can automated coffee machines that prepare and serve a variety of coffee throughout the day meet consumer demand, but they also reduce labor by eliminating the responsibility for employees.
According to the State of the Market C-Store Coffee Trends report, 30% of c-store retailers said that equipment that enables better self-service would motivate them to start selling prepared coffee or to add more prepared-coffee options. Other purchase motivators included equipment meant to serve coffee all day, and equipment that is versatile enough to prepare drip coffee and espresso.
Having coffee equipment that can keep up with the increasing demand for coffee is essential for c-store businesses.
SEB Professional’s high-quality brewing machines from brands WMF , Schaerer and Curtis provide both automated coffee and espresso solutions for commercial and non-commercial foodservice industries, as well as convenience retailing and more. Please stop by our Booth C4622 at the NACS show.
For more information on how to offer a great coffee experience for consumers with SEB Professional coffee equipment, visithere.
This post is sponsored by SEB Professional North America