Consumers Want Healthier Food Options at Convenience Stores, Finds Technomic

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Convenience stores score solid marks for providing a variety of tasty, high-quality items, but there is room for improvement in the area of healthy foods, say consumers. A new report from foodservice consultant Technomic finds that just 28 percent of consumers think convenience stores do well at offering healthy options. However, 52 percent would like to see more healthy food items there, and 47 percent would like to see a wider variety of healthy beverages.

“Today, major convenience chains are actively developing healthier, higher-quality food offerings in order to benefit from trade-down restaurant spending and to compete more effectively with limited-service restaurants”

“Today, major convenience chains are actively developing healthier, higher-quality food offerings in order to benefit from trade-down restaurant spending and to compete more effectively with limited-service restaurants,” says Darren Tristano, EVP at Technomic.

The Convenience Store Foodservice Consumer Trend Report was developed by Technomic to help convenience store operators and suppliers recognize trends, gain consumer insights and identify opportunities for growth in foodservice. Interesting findings include:

• Nearly two-thirds of consumers (63 percent) say they visit a convenience store at least once a week, but only about half (53 percent) purchase food or a beverage.
• Convenience stores’ strongest competitors for food purchases are fast-food restaurants. Nearly half of consumers (49 percent) said fast-food restaurants were their alternative for breakfast, 47 percent for lunch, and 32 percent for dinner.
• Consumers found made-to-order offerings highly appealing, especially sandwiches (57 percent), salads (50 percent), beverages (48 percent) and hot foods (46 percent).

The Convenience Store Foodservice Consumer Trend Report provides analysis of consumer purchase behavior, attitudes and preferences of more than 1,500 U.S. consumers surveyed in July 2010. Menu and concept trends at leading chains are analyzed using Technomic’s exclusive MenuMonitor database. Appendices include consumer demographics and concept and menu profiles of 15 innovative and emerging chains.

To purchase or learn more about this report, please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.

About Technomic

Technomic provides clients with the facts, insights and consulting support they need to enhance their business strategies, decisions and results. Its services include numerous publications and digital products, as well as proprietary studies and ongoing research on all aspects of the food industry.