Competition for cold dispensed beverage sales is heating up, with fast-food and c-stores vying for consumer occasions. Offering a relevant selection will sharpen your competitive edge, but what’s relevant varies by consumer demographics. Join Technomic to learn what today’s consumer is seeking, and how cold dispensed beverage preferences differ by age group and other characteristics. Incorporating these insights into category planning will help ensure your store’s selection is best positioned to grow visits and sales. 

This analysis will investigate the most recent trends in the c-store confectionery category. We’ll determine if the pandemic had an influence on the consumer preferences for product form and flavor:  Do consumers now prefer standard bars or king sized bars?  Is there a greater trend to purchase peg bag versus single bar?  Are chocolate items preferred over non-chocolate; mints over gum?  This presentation will highlight how to optimize c-store product mix to maximize sales in this center store category.

The traditional ‘refueling’ customer is changing, from an ICE vehicle driver who may be ‘in and out’ in a few mins to EV drivers who will need to stick around for at least 20-30 mins, and in many cases longer.  Since the driver does not need to stay with the vehicle while charging, they will seek to engage in other activities whether that’s a bite to eat or top-up shopping or something else.  This is where what’s on offer at the destination becomes more important.  Hosts must recognize that they are looking new user behavioral types, and more will develop as adoption increases. Each of these brings a different set of preferences and different considerations when selecting a location to charge their EV.  Understanding the consumers habits, preferences and behaviors and tailoring the offer will be the key to success.

This session is designed to empower category managers with practical insights, guiding them through the intricate landscape of customer segmentation, category role, product selection, sku rationalization, supplier relations, and innovation. Discover actionable strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

This interactive session is designed to empower managers with the skills and strategies needed to cultivate exceptional teams and drive organizational success. Explore the critical role that effective team dynamics play in shaping company culture, productivity, and overall performance. Learn practical techniques for fostering collaboration, trust, and innovation among team members. Discover how investing in the development and well-being of your team can yield significant returns for the entire organization. Leave with actionable insights and tools to inspire and lead your team to new heights, ultimately shaping the future of your company.

2023 was quite the year as operators  were integrating acquisitions while making significant investments in their brand development. Foodservice, digital rewards, enhanced store designs and marketing initiatives headlined their agendas to strengthen their hold on loyal customers while capturing new patrons.