Where are American food dollars going? While
restaurant and grocery store chains continue experiencing customer
discontinuity. The conveniences store
sector for the 5th year in a row is growing both the top and bottom
line with increased food sales.
Specifically fresh prepared food is garnering the most attention.
The National Association of Convenience Stores
reported that in 2011 in-store food sales reached 33 billion dollars. Food
items ranged from fresh prepared burgers, hoagies, pizza, salads, pretzels and
coffee of course. Jeff Lenard, the
association’s VP said “Food is the future of our industry”.
In a study conducted by Technomic Inc., found that
82% of consumers said that they have bought prepared food or beverage from a
convenience store within the last month and 52% said they do so once a week.
Cooking from scratch is a lost art. Convenience Stores have created a food
platform that empowers consumers to mix and match fresh prepared food
components into a customized family meal fast. While traditional restaurants
and grocery store chains have tried to “protect the brand” and stay the
same. C-stores have expanded into fresh
food including Burgers, Pizza and Delivery.
C-stores with $33 Billion dollars in food sales is a
well-funded competitive niche. Five
years of food retail industry leadership growth and success is a trend not a
fad. If success does leave clues the
C-store industry has found them and is utilizing the clues well. Are you?
Steven Johnson is
Grocerant Guru at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions, with extensive
experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product
positioning expert and public speaking. Facebook.com/Steven
Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant
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