Convenience stores will grow faster than all other offline channels in the
United States over the next five years, due to consumers' "hyper focus" on
expedience, according to Nielsen.

But c-stores still face challenges, the research firm said in a report.
C-stores face heightened competition from other channels such as quick-serve
restaurants, small-format grocers, mass merchandisers and drugstores, which are
all going after the fresh prepared and grab-and-go food business.

"The consumer's growing desire for frictionless retail has raised the bar for
convenience retailers and their approach to technology adoption," wrote Jeff
Williams, senior vice president of retail and U.S. industry relations for
Nielsen.

Williams pointed to seven factors that will shape the future of the c-store
industry:
--Convenience stores will become more automated and increasingly
unmanned.

--C-store food service will be upgraded.

--The industry will improve employee training needed for increasing CBD sales
and expanded food service.

--Convenience stores will expand private-label offerings.

--The industry will use creative marketing to offer experiences that draw
consumers to their brick-and-mortar sites.

--Convenience retailers will respond to demand for more personalization in
marketing their goods.

--C-stores will rethink grab-and-go packaging in response to consumers'
zero-waste mindset.

--Donna Harris, dharris@opisnet.com





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