Get to Know the 4 Types of C-Store Customers
Do you have a product that you want to get into c-stores with the help of distributors? The customer base for convenience stores is much different than any other retail outlet, so the first step is understanding who’s shopping at these stores. According to a study by General Mills, these are the 4 types of c-store customers:
Breakfast Barons
About 22% of c-store customers fall into this category who stop by to pick up a quick and easy breakfast on the way to work. This group of customers is looking for grab-and-go snacks, so food distributors should appeal to them with granola bars, coffee drinks and packaged baked goods. Adding more of a selection to fresh, breakfast goods would draw this crowd in, which is why so many convenience stores have started to offer prepared foods and fresh fruits. Breakfast barons typically work in an office and stop by a convenience store located nearby, so they’re more likely to visit stores in the heart of big cities.
Vice Squaders
The 18% of the c-store crowd known as Vice Squaders stop by convenience stores late at night to pick up lottery tickets, cigarettes, beer or liquor. Typically, this group chooses a store located close to home because it’s quick trip to run in and get back to the house. This older demographic that skews male will spend the majority of their trip near the checkout counter since many just run in to grab cigarettes or lotto tickets. Wholesale distributors should focus on stocking the checkout counter area with tobacco and smoking accessories that can be add-ons to a purchase.
Pit Stoppers
The largest group is the pit stoppers, which makes up around 38% of the c-store customer population. These customers tend to have three things in mind when stopping at a convenience store: gas, the ATM and the bathroom. This group of customers typically stops by when on long road trips or commutes, and makes very quick trips in and out of the store. Food distributors should grab this customer group’s attention by using eye-catching merchandise around the ATM and bathroom area, especially with items that can be snacked on during a long car trip.
Meals & More
The final group of c-store customers makes up around 22% of the entire population. This group skews younger than the others, and includes people who typically head to convenience stores for meals, although they often become distracted and indulge in sweet or salty snacks. Food distributors should play into these impulsive purchases with increased grab-n-go options, and feed into the desire for ready-to-go packaged meals with an increase of prepared food options.
Ready to get your product into c-stores? Contact Mr. Checkout Distributors to talk to a team of experienced distributors that service over 35,000 grocery and convenience stores across the country.