As a c-store owner, you always want to make sure that your customers will find the items they need in a hurry. You should stock the essential products like milk, bread, eggs, drinks, etc. However, you can also greatly benefit from selling the latest products in your store.
More and more these days, c-store owners are finding new ways to stay fresh in changing times by updating their store layout, expanding their selection and most importantly, staying up to date with product trends to give customers new and exciting options to choose from. Here are just a few benefits of stocking new products:
There are a variety of new markets and niches to cater to including vegans, gluten-free people, craft beer enthusiasts, and more. Expanding your product range and selling the latest and greatest products will surely impress customers while offering the convenience they’ve come to expect from your c-store.
Word of mouth is one of the best marketing tools for your convenience store and if you offer new products on a consistent basis, your existing customers are bound to tell their family and friends.
Customers can walk into any c-store and pick up a bag of chips and soda. In order to get a step up on the competition, you should consider offering the latest and greatest products that other c-stores won't sell. Many noticed this a few years back when fresh fruit become a hot item to offer in a c-store, especially by the register.
Look at a map of your competition and maybe do a little in-store research to see what they’re offering and potentially products they could be offering in the future. Think about product categories they could be missing and take advantage by stocking the newest products in those categories to help your store stand out.
Especially if your c-store has been around for many years, offering new products will allow your store to have a fresh appeal to both existing customers and new ones coming into your store for the first time. While rebranding and redecorating your store will give it a new fresh face, many customers may look past that and see that you are still selling the same products as before.
Stocking the newest products will make your store feel new again with a finger on the pulse of industry trends.
Because of the Internet and social media, people are always sharing and looking at the latest snack foods and drinks that are fresh to hit the market. Chances are, they may be coming in your c-store every day looking for these items, but you haven't stocked them yet. Entering the new year, you should make it a priority to seek out the snack and drink trends that people are sharing and discussing online.
Make a list of products that you think may be hot-sellers with lots of online traction and talk to your vendors about placing a small order to start while you track their sales.