Americans visit convenience stores at least once a week and are using their visits to discover new products and brands, according to a survey commissioned by NCSolutions (NCS).
The online survey found that more than seven in 10 (71%) adult consumers say they discover new products and brands at c-stores. In addition, American consumers find shopping at c-stores offers numerous benefits. Seventy-nine percent of shoppers say c-stores offer a lot of product variety, while 77% say they provide a good shopping experience.
Overall, convenience stores are a popular destination. In the survey nearly four in 10 (38%) respondents shop at c-stores two or more times a week. Overall, nearly two-thirds (62%) visit c-stores at least once a week.
The study found shoppers rely on c-stores for candy and beverage purchases. Sixty-seven percent of Americans feed their sweet tooth with candy purchases from convenience stores. Fifty-seven percent said they purchase on-the-go drinks like coffee, tea, or fountain beverages at c-stores. Another 32% percent of shoppers pick up packaged beverages and 23% buy beer. In addition, 40% percent purchase milk, juice, and other grocery staples.
Beyond beverages, almost one third pick up prepared foods while in the store and 37% percent purchase lottery tickets when they visit a convenience store.
While shoppers visit convenience stores for many reasons, by far location is the number one reason, which was cited by 65% of consumers. Fifty-nine percent say c-stores meet their immediate needs, while 54% liked the speed of the stores, where they can buy products quickly and be on their way.
Nearly one-third say price brings them into the store, while 28% enjoy the variety of products c-stores have to offer. Thirty-four percent also shop at c-stores because they are less crowded.
The survey consisted of 2,216 respondents, ages 18 and older, and was conducted Oct. 7–10.