Alcohol sales in convenience stores are always impacted by changing trends and regulations. Operators are constantly impacted by local and state laws that change with each election cycle, and consumer preferences can drive trends even more. Consider the shift toward lower alcoholic beverages or even N/A beers. Also common today is the impact of spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) products.
Keeping up with these trends helps c-store operators and managers adjust their inventory to keep trending alcoholic beverages in stock and capture more sales. This directly impacts the contents of today's c-store beverage display cases.
RTD Alcohol Drinks Are Here to Stay
Being an industry darling for over five years, RTD beverages have firmly established themselves in the alcohol market. And while there is always talk of this alcohol segment declining, some of the biggest names in the industry are releasing ready-to-drink beverages with spirits and seeing plenty of sales.
Convenience stores are seeing consistent demand for RTD cocktails and beverages. These pre-mixed drinks appeal to consumers seeking on-the-go options without sacrificing flavor or quality. Brands continue innovating with new flavor combinations and healthier versions to meet consumer demand. Offering a variety of RTD drinks, from cocktails to hard seltzers, is an intelligent move for c-stores looking to attract younger customers who are interested in quick purchases to consume at home.
Craft and Local Beverages: More Than a Fad
Whether your store has a cooler room or not, positioning impulse items near the store can help increase sales. Having a variety of drink merchandisers can help, mainly if you have limited space to display such products.
As local breweries continue to can and bottle their own beers, having them on hand can help with sales and promoting local businesses. Consider having individual cans or bottles available to purchase if someone wants to try before committing to buying a six-pack.
While it’s true the craft beer industry has seen some decline, some of this could be because of a saturation of breweries, and some are beginning to close due to too much competition. Craft beer lovers are still looking for favorites, especially seasonal ones like heavy stouts and pumpkin beers.
Non-Alcoholic Options Rising in Popularity
The alcohol industry has grown extremely large in the non-alcoholic wine, beer, and spirits category. In fact, for the first part of 2023, sales grew by 54%. The trend of mindful drinking, where consumers think about their health but still want to enjoy a social beverage, is part of it. But there’s also the fact that these options are now tasting very similar to their alcoholic counterparts.
C-stores that expand their selection of alcohol-free beers, wine, and RTD cocktails will be well-positioned to capture this growing market. A balanced mix of traditional alcoholic beverages alongside low- and no-alcohol alternatives will cater to a broader audience.
Convenience and the Right Merchandisers Will Always Be Key
Positioning impulse purchases around the store can help increase sales. Having a variety of refrigerated merchandising coolers can help, especially if there’s limited cooler space for such products.
Well-placed merchandising is often the best form of marketing. Federal LMD and Vision Series refrigerated self-serve cases work great in large and small areas. With night curtains to help save energy and optional security covers to enclose products during hours when alcoholic beverages cannot be sold, not only can you keep drinks cold, but you can also ensure your business is following local mandates.
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