Convenience stores and snacks go together like, well, a bag of chips and a cold soda.
Almost half (48%) of consumers purchase snacks from c-stores at least occasionally, according to Technomic’s 2016 Snacking Consumer Trend Report. What’s more, 41% of consumers (and 61% of young millennials) report snacking at least three times a day—an 11-point increase since 2011.
Here are some ways to take advantage of the latest snacking trends to boost those grab-and-go sales:
Become a Health Nut
More than half of consumers say healthfulness is very important to them when choosing snacks, and the same amount (51%) say they’d like to see retailers offer more healthful prepared foods, according to Technomic’s recent Retailer Meal Solutions Consumer Trend Report. Consider offering snack-size, smaller portions of popular complete-meal prepared offerings such as slider chicken sandwiches or street tacos.
Power Up With Protein
Consumers are also bullish on protein-heavy snacks, no doubt part of the better-for-you-snacking trend. Look for a wide range of new meat snacks, from traditional jerky to artisanal meat bars and bites. Expect to see meat snacks made with alternative proteins (such as bison), trail mixes made with meat snacks, and alternative energy bars made with jerky in combination with other ingredients. Think about reserving aisle space for this new class of protein-heavy snacks as well as more traditional jerky and meat sticks. On the roller grill, play up protein-heavy grab-and-go choices such as hot dogs and smoked sausages with consumer messaging focusing on the meat.
Use Tiering and Bundling to Add Variety and Choice
Consumers want snacks in varying sizes. Consider offering tiered portions on prepared snacks, with corresponding price points, to capture the widest audience. Bite-size prepared foods and bakery offerings are ideal for tiering. Items such as bone-in wings, boneless wings and minis such as doughnut holes can be scaled and priced to meet the consumer occasion. Add interest with two-for-one bundled offerings such as the one launched recently by Kum & Go convenience stores. At the register, consumers could mix-and-match a better-for-you granola bar with a more indulgent candy bar. Or offer afternoon pick-me-up deals on popular snacks such as cheese-stuffed pretzel sticks paired with a drink.
Embrace Ethnic Flavors
As snacking becomes more prevalent, consumers are increasingly interested in innovative snack items. Two-thirds of consumers crave ethnic-inspired dishes, according to Technomic, and Southeast Asian flavors are particularly hot. Look at expanding prepared foods offerings to include Asian dumplings or trendy street foods such as Korean tacos, or feature an ethnic take on a customer favorite with Sriracha wings. These dishes are also ripe for customization: Offer a condiment bar of international sauces and toppings.
Win With All-Day Breakfast Snacks
As more QSRs and others launch all-day breakfast programs, consumers are demanding these traditional morning foods all day long. Expanding breakfast snacking also dovetails nicely with the upgraded coffee programs many c-stores are undertaking. Why not offer bundles of specialty coffee drinks with breakfast sandwiches, tacos, etc., all day? Or appeal to those seeking smaller indulgences with mini muffins, doughnuts, biscuits and more.
This post is sponsored by Tyson Convenience