Survey: Snacks, hot food driving visits to convenience stores
Food and beverage options are what drives consumers to convenience stores the most, according to a new report.
Nearly all (92%) of those surveyed in Acosta Group’s new Convenience Store Shopper Study said that they step inside to shop for food or beverages. With nearly two-thirds (63%) of these shoppers visiting at least weekly, convenience stores have become a regular stop for more than gas for a majority of shoppers.
When it comes to food and beverage options, convenience stores are a quick solution for impulse cravings. Sixty-three percent of shoppers are purchasing candy on impulse, while 62% are purchasing salty snacks on impulse, and 53% are purchasing baked goods on impulse. In the category of better-for-you products, six-in-10 (61%) convenience shoppers say they actively seek items with health benefits at least some of the time.
[READ MORE: ACSI: Kwik Trip, Wawa, Sheetz top latest C-store satisfaction index]
More than half (51%) of convenience store shoppers are picking up hot food items once or more a week, up from 45% in 2023. A similar percentage (52%) of these shoppers say that convenience hot foods are just as good or better than those from a fast-food or quick-service restaurant.
Despite impulse food purchases, convenience store shoppers are very value-minded, noting a preference for buy-one-get-one-free offers. A majority (69%) are likely to read promotional signage at the pumps, while 44% of shoppers will read in-store signage and 24% are using a retailer app.
According to the report, convenience store attributes that have become more important to shoppers over the past year have been convenience (close to home), being easy to shop, offering a variety of shelf-stable products and cold food and beverages, and offering the best deals. Millennials and Gen X make up the largest convenience store shopper segment, with men representing a notable majority.
"In c-stores, convenience and assortment are fueling growth, with 26% of customers increasing their trips this year," said Mark Rahiya, group president of omnichannel sales and services at Acosta Group. "Consumers remain budget-conscious across all channels, consistently seeking the best pricing and value. In the convenience retail space, brands and retailers can drive incremental growth by aligning with what matters most to shoppers – speed, selection and value.”
Acosta Group’s shopper research was conducted in July 2025 with 1,097 U.S. convenience store shoppers.
