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Latest headlines

Coronavirus

Convenience stores sell more food during outbreak

About half of stores say grocery sales have increased

By Rose Shilling
Convenience stores food sales
April 1, 2020

People are taking home more grocery staples from convenience stores during the pandemic, a shift from heavy reliance on coffee, chips, candy and other products we eat and drink on the go.

More than half of the retailers say grocery sales increased, according to a late March survey of U.S. convenience store owners by the NACS, an industry trade association. Typically, 83% of products that the stores sell are consumed within an hour.

Here are some changes the stores report in reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak:

  • 31% are emphasizing ready-to-heat meals
  • 28% are showcasing multipack and bulk items
  • 52% are adding more cleaning and toiletry items

The stores have scaled back self-serve foodservice and restaurant offerings. Among retailers that made changes in those areas:

  • 66% closed public seating and dining areas
  • 45% removed customer access to self-serve foodservice, such as coffee, fountain drinks, bakery items and roller grill

About half of the stores reported that their current distribution system is working. About 20% say the system is sufficient, but they are supplementing it with other deliveries.

Some stores are trying to help with social distancing:

  • 14% are offering curbside pickup
  • 13% increased their focus on drive-thru
  • 11% added or increased delivery options

Other survey results:

  • 99% enhanced cleaning protocols for high-touch surfaces, with regular cleaning done as often as every 30 minutes
  • One in three provide hand sanitizer at gas pumps, and 20% provide gloves
  • 60% reduced store operating hours, due to less customer traffic or to deep clean and restock during overnight hours
KEYWORDS: consumer trends

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Rose shilling author

Rose Shilling is a previous managing editor of Food Engineering Magazine. She wrote feature stories on a variety of topics and tracked the food packaging industry. A journalist with an editing background at news services and newspapers, she also has driven editorial projects in health care and higher education.

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