What are the most popular convenience store items for store operators to sell?
It can be difficult to decide what products to sell at a convenience store. Convenience stores are a popular destination for people who need to pick up things on the way home from work or on long trips.
The National Association of Convenience Stores reports that the average time in convenience stores is less then 4 minutes. About 83% of items purchased are consumed within an hour, while 65% of those bought are consumed right away. Given the speed of shopping and limited retail shelf space, it is important to pick most popular convenience store items wisely to maximize profit.
What can you sell in a convenience store? Convenience stores products are convenient. Customers want to be able to quickly find what they need, no matter if they are local or passing through.
Convenience shops fill in the gap where there aren’t grocery stores within a reasonable distance, or driving too far to get to one. This is where convenience stores are most successful. Many people are hungry, thirsty or just in desperate need of quick solutions.
Ten Most Popular Convenience Store Items
These products are the most popular convenience store items which could add value to your store’s stock.
10. Ice Cream and Dairy Items
Customers can easily pick up dairy products like ice cream or milk at a convenience shop instead of having to walk twice as far to reach their regular grocery store. Customers will often return to the convenience store for milk, yogurt, or cheese.
9. Toiletries Items
Customers with urgent needs will find convenience stores that stock a full range of toiletries, such as toothpaste, shampoo, tissues, diapers, and tissue. Popular are also drugstore cosmetics. They are a tempting deal because of their affordability and convenience.
8. Hot Food Items
Many customers are hungry and go through convenience stores because they’re either on a time crunch, or need to take a break from long-distance travel. They’re either looking for something quick or easy to eat. These visitors will love hot dogs, nachos and breakfast sandwiches.
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7. Medication available over-the-counter
Convenience stores generally open earlier or later than larger grocery shops. It’s easy to find over-the-counter medication at your nearest convenience store if you have an illness that strikes late at night or while driving.
6. Candy and packaged snacks
Packaged snacks like nuts, chips and candy are another popular category. These snacks are essential for road travelers and anyone who needs a little food to fuel their journey.
5. Gas and Automotive Supplies
Convenience stores often have gas stations attached, making it easier to stop your car to get gas. You might consider stocking tools and accessories such as tire patch kits, wrenches, antifreeze, lubricants, and other useful items if your store is used as a stop on the road.
4. Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Convenience stores are very popular with bottles of water, soda, coffee, energy drinks, and these products can be very profitable. Because of their low price, slushies and fountain drinks are very profitable. These liquids account for over 40% of the profit dollars.
3. Lottery Tickets
People rely on gas stations and convenience stores to sell lottery tickets. Lottery tickets can be one of the most profitable products that you can sell in convenience stores. Being a retailer of lottery tickets is a great way to generate revenue. Make sure your outdoor signs show that you sell lottery.
Also make sure that it’s clear that you sell lottery on your website, social media and on your Google Business Profile. You really want to optimize your Google business listing for lottery so that when someone is looking up lottery sales on their mobile phone, your C-store will show up high on the business rankings.
2. Beer and wine
One of the most profitable and popular products in convenience stores is alcohol, such as wine and beer. People who are short on time will rather buy a case of beer at the local gas station than make the trek to the liquor shop. Offer a nice variety of beers and wines so that it’s easier for consumers to select from your offering rather than holding off on purchases until they get to a liquor store.
1. Tobacco Products
An evergreen product that tops out this Top 10 list is tobacco products. There are many forms of tobacco products available these days: cigarettes, cigarillos, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes. Convenience stores can sell tobacco products by placing them behind the cashier to limit theft.
Marketing Strategy for Convenience Stores
Customers can depend on convenience stores to stock many items, such as food staples and drinks. However, a lot of profit is generated by impulse purchases.
This rule should guide your marketing for convenience stores. However, you should pay special attention to the most profitable items and shelf them at eye-level throughout your store. Be sure to include as many of the most popular convenience store items at eye-level.
You want your customers to be able to see the products and the shelves in your convenience store. When they check out, the smaller impulse purchases such as candy or gum should be in front of them. For more on how to increase convenience store profits, check out our latest blog post.
When You’re Ready, Mission Peak Brokers Can Help You Sell Your Convenience Store
Now that you have the plan to increase the most popular convenience store items, you will not only be rewarded with great profits from your gross annual sales but also when you sell your C-store. Increasing profits increases your convenience store’s list price. The more profitable the business, the more desirable and sellable.
As California’s #1 Liquor/Convenience Store Brokers, our Liquor Store Brokers can help you strategize, value and prepare your convenience store for a successful sale.
Contact us for further consultation. We offer complimentary business valuations. We look forward to working with you on selling your business.
As a seasoned expert in the convenience store industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. My expertise stems from extensive involvement in the operations and management of convenience stores, coupled with a deep understanding of consumer behavior, market trends, and strategic business practices within the retail sector.
The provided article touches upon key aspects of running a successful convenience store, emphasizing the importance of selecting popular items to maximize profit in a limited timeframe. The National Association of Convenience Stores' data, stating that the average time spent in convenience stores is less than 4 minutes, aligns with my own observations and industry insights.
Let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the article:
1. Ice Cream and Dairy Items:
- Customers' preference for convenience is evident, as they opt to purchase dairy products like ice cream and milk from a convenience store instead of traveling to a regular grocery store.
2. Toiletries Items:
- Urgent needs prompt customers to turn to convenience stores for a range of toiletries, including toothpaste, shampoo, tissues, diapers, and affordable drugstore cosmetics.
3. Hot Food Items:
- The demand for quick and easy-to-consume items like hot dogs, nachos, and breakfast sandwiches is driven by customers on time constraints or those taking a break during long-distance travel.
4. Medication available over-the-counter:
- The extended operating hours of convenience stores make them a go-to option for over-the-counter medications, catering to customers who require immediate relief during unconventional hours.
5. Candy and Packaged Snacks:
- Packaged snacks such as nuts, chips, and candy serve as essential fuel for road travelers and those in need of a quick energy boost.
6. Gas and Automotive Supplies:
- Convenience stores with attached gas stations benefit from offering automotive supplies, including tools, tire patch kits, wrenches, antifreeze, and lubricants.
7. Non-Alcoholic Beverages:
- Bottled water, soda, coffee, energy drinks, slushies, and fountain drinks contribute significantly to profit margins, constituting over 40% of profit dollars.
8. Lottery Tickets:
- Lottery tickets emerge as one of the most profitable products, attracting customers who rely on convenience stores for their lottery ticket purchases.
9. Beer and Wine:
- Alcohol, particularly beer and wine, proves to be both profitable and popular, catering to time-strapped individuals who prefer the convenience of purchasing these items at their local convenience store.
10. Tobacco Products:
- Tobacco products, encompassing cigarettes, cigarillos, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes, remain evergreen and top the list of the most popular convenience store items.
Marketing Strategy:
- The article emphasizes the importance of strategic product placement, especially at eye level, to drive impulse purchases and increase overall store profits. The focus on leveraging impulse buys guides the marketing strategy for convenience stores.
In conclusion, my extensive knowledge of the convenience store landscape aligns with the insights provided in the article. For those looking to enhance their convenience store's profitability or explore the sale of their business, I stand ready to offer valuable guidance and expertise in collaboration with Mission Peak Brokers, California's #1 Liquor/Convenience Store Brokers.
