4 top convenience store snack trends for 2024

Here’s some sweet and savory news to start the year: After a surge in sales and units in 2023, snacks are expected to see continued growth in convenience stores in 2024.

Salty snacks, cookies and fruit snacks were among the fastest growing divisions within the all-important snack category at convenience stores over the past year, as suppliers continued to innovate with interesting flavors that grabbed the attention of young customers.

Convenience store snack sales surged 10.5% to reach $12.8 billion for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 3, according to Circana OmniMarket Integrated Fresh data analyzed by 210 Analytics. And the gains weren’t just from price inflation, with volume increasing 2.2% and units rising 0.4%. 

Notably, c-stores now represent 20.4% of all snack sales versus 18.8% three years ago, according to Circana.

“This is quite the accomplishment in a world where flat is the new growth,” Roerink said. “Convenience stores are ideally positioned for growth due to their strong engagement with millennial and Gen Z shoppers who are gearing up their spending as well as the greater level of consumer mobility as companies are tightening in-office work requirements.”

The demographics of convenience store shoppers skew younger, and over half of individuals ages 18-44 told Circana last spring that they snack three times or more per day.

Another factor expected to benefit snack sales this year is convenience stores’ ever-increasing sales of food and beverage items including coffee, sandwiches and pizzas, Roerink said. 

“The lunch and dinner specials often include snacks,” she noted.

With all that in mind, here are the top four trends that are expected to influence snack sales this year.

Consumers still see value in snacking

Despite consumers’ economic concerns, snack sales continue to grow for a few reasons.

While on a price-per-pound basis, snacks are usually more expensive at convenience stores versus other retailers, Roerink acknowledged, “the pack sizes are often a little bit smaller, creating a price point that is enticing for many consumers.”

A photo of snacks inside a convenience store.

A snack aisle in a Walmart Fuel Station.

Permission granted by Christine Blank

 

And largely, customers today are seeking value and balancing money-well-spent against money-well-saved, Roerink explained.

“We are finally seeing more promotions in the marketplace,” she said. “In many cases, the price cuts are not as deep as they were with the promoted prices still far above year-ago levels, but a greater share of dollars and volume are sold while on merchandising, whether a display, on ad or both.”

As Americans demand greater bang for their buck, the number of snack value meals increased 6.8% on menus over the past year, according to Technomic. 

“As consumers seek out value-driven options, these snack bundles will continue to increase in popularity over the coming year,” said Katie Belflower, an editor at foodservice research firm Technomic.

Belflower also expects to see more beverages as snack occasions, with items like bubble tea and energy drinks or refreshers “providing a quick and perhaps more affordable way for consumers to treat themselves.”

Exciting flavors meet familiar favorites

It’s no surprise that eye-catching new flavors are a key way to grab the attention of young shoppers.

“Extreme flavor innovation in snacking is happening on social media via viral trends and ease of discovery,” research firm Mintel said in a recent salty snacks report. Unusual snack flavors that launched last year include Jack Link’s Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili and Flamin’ Hot flavored beef jerky and meat sticks, via a partnership between Doritos and Jack Link’s

Snacks are also becoming more adventurous in incorporating global flavors, with a big focus on Korean and Japanese ingredients, according to Roerink.

jack link's fritolay

New Jack Link’s beef jerky flavors.

Courtesy of PepsiCo

 

But while some hot new products include wild or unexpected taste combos, focusing on familiar flavors is an effective way to coax most consumers to try new options, according to Mintel. 

Among the top snack flavors that consumers surveyed by Mintel said they had tried were dill pickle, BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato), espresso and hot honey. Pepsico’s Frito Lay brand also debuted Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup chips at Bravocon in October.

“Motivation for new trial via education and creating familiar descriptions or combinations are paramount for emerging ingredients such as white truffle and bulgogi when connecting with snack consumers,” Mintel said.

High-protein, healthy snack sales rising

Healthy snacks — particularly high-protein and plant-based snacks — continue to grow in popularity and prevalence in convenience stores.

Source: fooddive.com

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