As more consumers begin commuting to work or school again and resuming their normal routines, it will be more important than ever for retailers to offer convenient, high-quality meal options on the go. Especially as restrictions limit restaurant patronage and consumers seek safer solutions, retailers have a prime opportunity to leverage quality offerings and premium ingredients to keep shoppers coming back for more. And amid the pandemic, there’s no better platform to do so than the grab-and-go foodservice category.
The quality quotient
During the pandemic, consumers approach c-store foodservice with an increased priority on quality. According to Technomic’s Q4 2020 C-Store Consumer Marketbrief, food quality is the number 1 factor consumers cite as driving them to increase their c-store foodservice purchases.
Consumers’ standards for quality have continued to increase as retailers have elevated their foodservice offerings — setting an even higher bar for c-stores looking to set themselves apart from competitors. Offering dishes with elevated ingredients can be an excellent way to provide quality at a glance: Alongside standby sandwich classics, for example, offer a Chicken Pesto or a Turkey & Bacon sandwich from E. A. Sween to add a craveable edge.
Gains in grab and go
Grab-and-go foodservice offerings are a top choice for multiple reasons. For busy people commuting to work, for example, grab-and-go meals offer a quick and easy way to purchase lunch on the go. In addition, grab-and-go options afford a greater sense of safety to the health-conscious. According to Technomic’s Q4 Marketbrief, most consumers say grab-and-go items seem safer than made-to-order and roller-grill items amid COVID-19. In addition, most also say they’re purchasing grab-and-go foodservice at least as frequently as they did before the pandemic, with 19% saying their purchase frequency has even increased.
Unsurprisingly, grab-and-go sandwiches are driving this growth, with 51% of grab-and-go foodservice shoppers saying they’re purchasing sandwiches at least as often as they did before the pandemic. For retailers this means that it’s important not just to offer grab-and-go sandwiches, but to offer enough of a variety to keep frequent shoppers coming back for more.
Boosting value
Consumers’ perception of product value doesn’t lie in price alone, but also in the quality of the product itself. Quality products from E. A. Sween offer a great solution of carefully crafted sandwiches made with fine meats and cheeses, and fresh Mex-style burritos made with quality ingredients as well as richer offerings such as hot sandwiches and baked goods. No matter what a retailer’s consumer base looks like or what their shoppers crave, E. A. Sween has a delicious solution that’s sure to please.
With grab-and-go foodservice items fit for every daypart and every palate — including premium ingredients such as bacon and pesto that will keep customers coming back — E.A. Sween offers the variety and quality retailers need to set themselves apart in the safe grab-and-go format that the majority of consumers prefer.
To learn more about offerings from E. A. Sween, visit easween.com.
This post is sponsored by E.A. Sween