More customers are choosing convenience stores over fast-food restaurants, according to Intouch Insight’s 2024 Convenience-Store Trends Report. In addition, electric vehicle (EV) chargers attract young people and cleanliness is more important than ever.
The report is based off of data from consumer perception surveys and mystery shops performed across North America. The report addresses three concerns: What motivates people to visit convenience stores, how can retailers encourage them to spend more time and how can retailers turn them into loyal customers?
Fast Food Competition
According to the report, 56% of respondents now consider convenience stores a viable alternative to fast-food chains, marking an increase of 11% over the past two years.
According to Intouch Insight, 93% of consumers have tried made-to-order food from convenience stores, with sandwiches, wraps and paninis being particularly popular. This is a significant increase from 2022 when only 76% of consumers reported purchasing made-to-order meals in a survey of 1,460 respondents.
More than half of respondents believe that made-to-order food at convenience stores provide good value for their money, shown in the chart below from Intouch Insight.
EV Presence
The presence of EV charging stations at convenience stores is becoming a significant factor for younger consumers.
When asked if they would be more likely to choose a retail location over another if it had an EV charging station, most consumers said ‘no.’ However, those who responded ‘yes’ were younger, on average.
More specifically, 34% of consumers aged 18-44 say they would choose one retail location over another if it had an EV charging station, compared to just 14% of those 45 years of age or older, according to Intouch Insight.
Preference for EV charging stations can vary significantly, however, based on geographic location and other local factors, according to the report.
There are currently more than 40 million EVs registered globally, the report said, which is six times the number in 2018.
Cleanliness
Cleanliness and store ambiance have gained importance among consumers, with 53% considering cleanliness a crucial factor when choosing a convenience store, up from 43% last year, said the report. This increase of 10% highlights the growing expectation for a clean and pleasant shopping environment.
Location cleanliness surpassed loyalty programs and became the second reason—after location—for consumers to choose one c-store over another in 2024.
Additionally, 48% of fast-food consumers stated in a recent survey that they would avoid a restaurant if its parking lot had dim lighting, according to Intouch Insight.
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