2024 Trends for Convenience Stores for Success

It’s incredible how much convenience stores have changed over the past decade. Today, many successful convenience stores look and feel more like small grocery stores than the mini grab-and-go’s of our beginning days. Consumers can find everything they need in one location, from snacks and beverages to ingredients for dinner, healthcare necessities, medications, hot food selections, and more. At GP Energy, we monitor customer shopping behavior and help store owners make changes and implement programs to achieve tremendous success. Here are some 2024 trends for convenience stores that owners and managers should be aware of to remain competitive and succeed.

Five Easy Ways You Can Take Advantage of 2024 Trends for Convenience Stores

Focus on your food selections.

In 2022, NACs reported that 91% of C-store owners were planning to focus on upgrading and expanding their food offerings. This is a change of focus from relying upon convenient sales of tobacco and alcohol products to attract shoppers into the store. Instead, c-stores promoting grab-and-go healthy food selections, hot-food take-out or dine-in meal options, and fresh fruits and vegetables are attracting the attention of 60% of consumers who say they consider stopping at a C-store to fulfill these needs. Adding a meal delivery service is another way C-stores can reach consumers needing a quick meal.

Implement self-check-out.

Self-checkout is a more efficient way to staff your store and allows consumers a quicker way to get what they need, pay for their items, and be on the way to their destination. Employees not stuck behind the register are freed up to stock shelves, clean aisles, and help shoppers find what they need. You can mitigate risks associated with self-checkout theft with proper employee training and good equipment.

Optimize your loyalty rewards program.

Successful c-stores make using a loyalty rewards program easy via mobile apps or linking accounts to a phone number. The most effective programs offer customized promotions and offers to consumers based on their purchase history and shopping behaviors. Consumers are driven to stores where they feel they will get the most value for their money.

Consider the whole experience of your store.

Try walking into your locations as if you’ve never visited them before. Consumers seek stores that are clean, safe, and orderly in addition to having the products and services they need. The small details make a big difference to consumers, and those who pay attention to them develop good reputations that transcend many miles around their locations. Take careful note of details like:

• Is the glass on windows and doors clean?
• Are shelves free of dust and product faced?
• Are the floors swept and mopped?
• Are the bathrooms clean, stocked, and in working order?
• How does the store smell?
• Did the employees greet you with a smile?
• Is the beverage bar cleaned?
• Does it look like trashcans are regularly emptied?
• Is the parking lot clear of debris?

Choose sustainable options.

Consumers increasingly prefer convenience stores that offer sustainable products, packaging, and containers. This shift in consumer behavior reflects a broader societal consciousness towards environmental sustainability. Customers are increasingly concerned about the impact of their purchasing decisions on the planet, leading them to seek out retailers that align with their values. Sustainable practices such as using biodegradable packaging, offering eco-friendly product options, and minimizing single-use plastics resonate strongly with environmentally conscious consumers.

Are you ready to take your C-store to the next level?

Contact our experts at GP Energy today! Our professional team will help you take advantage of these 2024 trends for convenience stores and other well-proven strategies to make your business successful. Imagine what your business could be like in another year or two with a team of industry professionals at your side. We’re excited to help you achieve your business goals and more.