What's Happening?
Lula Commerce analyzed the top-selling items in convenience stores from June to August, revealing a strong preference for beverages and snacks. Alcohol, particularly mini bottles and ready-to-drink cocktails like BuzzBallz and BeatBox, accounted for a significant portion of sales. Soft drinks and energy drinks, led by brands like Dr Pepper and Coca-Cola, also performed well. Spicy snacks, with Takis as the leader, were popular among customers. Seasonal and fruit-forward flavors, such as Red Bull's Summer Edition White Peach, were trending, highlighting the demand for limited-time offerings.
Why It's Important?
The analysis by Lula Commerce underscores the importance of beverage and snack sales in driving revenue for convenience stores. The popularity of ready-to-drink cocktails and seasonal flavors reflects consumer preferences for convenience and novelty. This trend presents opportunities for convenience stores to capitalize on heat-driven beverage demand and bold snacks, potentially increasing summer sales. The focus on fruit-forward flavors and limited-time offerings suggests a shift towards experiential products, impacting marketing strategies and product development in the convenience retail sector.
What's Next?
Lula Commerce recommends convenience stores run promotions on bottled water, sports drinks, and energy drinks as 'hydration heroes' for next summer. Cross-merchandising spicy snacks with ready-to-drink cocktails and highlighting mini bottles and portable RTDs could enhance sales. By planning ahead for these patterns, merchants can capture more summer spend without adding complexity. Lula's AI-powered platform enables seamless connection with delivery platforms, suggesting potential growth in online sales and delivery services for convenience stores.
