As the new year begins, many consumers want to change their eating habits. Namely, most people want to start eating healthier. One survey shows that up to 93 percent of people try healthy eating at least some of the time. And about 63 percent of consumers say that they try to eat healthy most or all of the time.
As a convenience store merchandiser, you need to adapt to consumer demands so that you can respond to their needs. Fortunately, many grab-n-go healthy snacks are available, making it easier than ever to meet demand. Let's dive into this trend and how it can impact your c-store.
Why are Healthy Snacks So Popular?
Part of this trend has to do with generational differences. According to a study by Business Insider, most Millennials prefer to snack throughout the day rather than have a couple of big meals. So, if consumers are snacking more already, it makes sense that they would want some healthy options. Most people don't want to snack on chips and cookies all day long.
The other driving factor is that modern consumers pay closer attention to the origins and contents of their food. The farm-to-table concept has been growing steadily in recent years, and it applies to both meals and snacks. Some top food attributes that customers want include:
- Natural Elements - Non-GMO, organic, all-natural, etc.
- Enhanced Elements - Added protein, vitamins, and minerals
- Reduced Elements - Low fat, low sugar, and low salt. Low carbs are also becoming more popular with the rise of the Keto diet
These elements illustrate that consumers want access to more healthy snack options. While there's still a place for "junk food," the market share is slowly shrinking.
Where Do Customers Find Healthy To-Go Snacks?
The modern lifestyle is one of constant movement and action. The gig economy sees many workers switching between multiple jobs, meaning they don't necessarily have time to sit down for a complete meal. Instead, snacking is much more prevalent, which is why c-stores have to keep up with demand. If you can supply grab-n-go healthy snacks, you can appeal to a broader audience and strengthen your bottom line.
One challenge of providing healthy snacks is that many of them have to be refrigerated since they don't use as many preservatives. So, if you're using a refrigerated merchandiser, be sure to stock your coolers with healthy options like fruit, vegetables, cheeses, and more.
Tips for Appealing to On-the-Go Customers
Although market demand for healthy food products is growing, the competition is fierce. Here are some ways to make your snack options stand out:
Put Displays Front and Center - Don't make customers search through your storefront to find what they need. If necessary, move the refrigerated displays next to the front door so that they're readily accessible. Or, if that's not possible, you can put some signage to point customers in the right direction. We have multiple c-store display solutions to fit your space and needs.
Highlight Healthy Attributes - As we mentioned, consumers want all-natural products with less of the "bad" ingredients (i.e., sugar) and more of the "good" ingredients (i.e., protein). If the product packaging doesn't highlight these attributes, you should add signs to make it more obvious. Doing this will capture attention faster.
Offer a Diverse Spread - Healthy snacks have come a long way from baby carrots and yogurt. Many CPG manufacturers are producing high-end snacks that can double as a meal. Examples can include quinoa bowls, sandwich wraps, and build-your-own salad stations. Having more options makes customers more willing to stop and eat.
Now that you're armed with this information, you can appeal to more customers and strengthen your bottom line. Let's get snacking!
