Federal Industries Blog

Convenience Stores and Holiday Travel | Federal Industries

Written by Federal Industries | Oct 19, 2022 5:00:00 AM

Holidays are a time for families to get together and celebrate, which often means travel. And even travelers who aren’t traveling cross country will be searching for places to stop and stock up on food and drinks. Not only will consumers be looking for convenient grab-and-go items, but they’ll also have their eye out for stocking stuffers and a hot cup of coffee to knock off the winter chill. Preparing for that extra foot traffic with the right merchandisers can help convenience stores increase impulse purchases and profits.

The Popularity of C-Stores

Convenience stores are popular among travelers, and that popularity is not waning this holiday season. Consumers on the road appreciate the ease and speed of getting in and out quickly as they make their way to their destination.

In the United States, there are 148,026 convenience stores. That means there is one store for every 2,246 people. In total, convenience stores conduct approximately 165 million transactions each day, and 80% of gasoline purchased by Americans is bought at convenience stores.

Those numbers increase even more between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday when the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) estimates  164 million people shop in c-stores. These new and improved convenience stores know that keeping customers inside the store beyond the industry standard of three to four minutes means more money spent.

Convenience Stores Aren’t Just for Junk Food Anymore

Many consumers look for more than junk food as they stop for something to snack on during their holiday travels. The healthier hot and cold options offered add to the plethora of foods and beverages customers crave.

Versatility is the game's name, and a high-quality, innovative solution for display is the key to success. Made-to-order wraps and boiled eggs, fresh veggies, fruits, hummus, and cheeses will satisfy any appetites that turn toward healthy choices. A good selection of beverages, including smoothies, bottled water, and flavorful unsweetened iced teas, refresh travelers’ palates and help quench the thirst brought on by salty snacks like chips, trail mixes, and pretzels.

End Caps Are Just the Beginning

Creating an outstanding presentation of c-store foods adds to meeting the customers’ wants and needs while maximizing profits. There’s no better time to invest in  merchandising solutions with the added traffic during the holiday season.

Selecting the proper display can make a difference. End caps are perfect for c-stores with limited floor space. Displaying self-serve refrigerated items provides an effortless consumer experience while increasing earnings.

But that’s not all. Whether you’re interested in creating a European-style bakery or capitalizing on hot and cold food display cases, there are options to accommodate your needs. You can choose from  customized options like shelf lighting, shelving styles, rear access doors, finishes, and wraps.

The  Vision Series markedly boosts visibility for consumers from the front of the display and the side. These display solutions make it easy for customer engagement for grab-and-go foods as they quickly make their choices and then return on the road leading to holiday gatherings.

Diversify your products and boost profits, not just during the holidays, but all year long. Take our merchandising assessment below to get started.