Slow Growth in C-Store Traffic and Foodservice
In 2016, the U.S. economy grew at the same slow and steady pace it has since the Great Recession, but consumers — who had been uncertain in prior years — began believing that “things” were getting better.
The average number of units purchased per c-store buyer held steady at 2.7, but the average check increased by 5% to $10.12. Purchase incidence of cigarettes/tobacco products and lottery tickets increased, while nonalcoholic beverages declined compared to the prior year.
In 2016, super heavy c-store buyers — those who made eight to 13-plus visits in a 30-day period — gained share. Meanwhile, visits by light buyers — those who made one to three visits in a 30-day period — declined. Keeping an eye on this shift will be important because light buyers still make up the majority of c-store shoppers.
The foods that increased their percent of buyers purchasing included subway sandwiches/hoagies, hot dogs or sausages, breakfast sandwiches, pizza, chicken and burgers. The breakfast foods and chicken (wings, fried chicken and chicken nuggets) categories also grew buyers.
The percent of buyers who purchased fresh food prepared onsite at a c-store at their last visit grew the most in the Middle Atlantic region, followed by West North Central, South Atlantic, and West South Central, in rank order. The least growth in percent of buyers purchasing fresh food occurred in the East North Central and Mountain regions.
TOP THREE percent of buyers who purchased fresh food prepared onsite at a c-store at their last visit:
Middle Atlantic: 16.9%
West North Central: 13.4%
South Atlantic: 10.4%
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