Industry Report 2021 Deep Dive
Food
service
Exclusive data and analysis of
the foodservice category at convenience stores.
GATED BUTTON
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
3.22%
3.19%
3.17%
3.13%
3.17%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
42.49%
48.26%
48.62%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
3.5%
2.8%
1.6%
0.1%
4.0%
Share of in-store sales
Margin percentage
Percent change in total sales
Click gray tabs to view
Five-Year Trend: Candy
Candy's total industry sales growth of 4 percent in 2019 was the category’s largest increase in the last five years.
Just shy of one-third of c-store shoppers purchase cigarettes in an average month.
47.00%
49.02%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
3.22%
3.19%
3.17%
3.13%
3.17%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
42.49%
47.00%
48.26%
48.62%
49.02%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
3.5%
2.8%
1.6%
0.1%
4.0%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2.73%
2.74%
2.81%
2.85%
2.87%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
31.47%
36.60%
37.86%
38.30%
38.05%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
5.8%
4.4%
4.5%
2.9%
3.6%
4.5%
Candy rolls, mints, drops
UNIT VOLUME
UNIT VOLUME
15.6%
Gum
UNIT VOLUME
UNIT VOLUME
Bagged/
repackaged peg candy
43.6%
24.7%
Chocolate bars/packs
8.4%
Non-chocolate bars/packs
UNIT VOLUME
Novelties/
seasonal
3.2%
UNIT VOLUME
Mixed
4.3%
UNIT VOLUME
9.7%
Puffed
cheese
UNIT VOLUME
16.2%
Nuts/
Seeds
UNIT VOLUME
20.1%
Tortilla/
corn chips
UNIT VOLUME
Potato
chips
26.4%
UNIT VOLUME
Popcorn (ready-to-eat)
3.7%
UNIT VOLUME
Pretzels
3.1%
UNIT VOLUME
Other salty snacks
8.4%
UNIT VOLUME
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
1.09%
1.11%
1.10%
1.10%
1.11%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
35.91%
43.70%
44.09%
43.43%
43.41%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
8.4%
6.0%
1.4%
1.8%
2.8%
49.4%
Meat snacks
32.5%
Health/ energy bars
UNIT VOLUME
13.2%
Granola/
yogurt bars
UNIT VOLUME
4.9%
Other alternative snacks
UNIT VOLUME
42.80%
43.71%
43.68%
43.85%
43.70%
14.75%
16.50%
16.91%
16.38%
16.14%
After years of growth, lower foot traffic during the pandemic dealt a significant blow to the foodservice category, with dispensed beverages seeing the worst sales declines. However, experts are optimistic that a rebound is near as the U.S. recovers and consumers get out and about this summer.
Widespread adoption of mobile/online ordering, curbside pickup and delivery during the pandemic means that consumers now view them as standard.
C-store retailers will be left behind if they don't offer any of these options.
While shoppers will split their prepared food purchases between made to order and grab-and-go based on what's available, they express a clear preference for freshly made food. This presents an opportunity for c-stores looking to stand out.
Convenience Store News research finds that just 7 percent of prepared-food shoppers didn't add other items to their last purchase. This makes them prime targets for combo promotions, BOGO deals, and other basket-building incentives.
