We know e-cigarette sales are set to hit records and dairy sales are booming, but these three foodservice trends recently reported on Convenience Store News that could surprise truckstop operators.
Frozen Yogurt Growth Freezing Out Ice Cream
Almost every truckstop has a cooler of ice cream products enticing customers in their location, but what about adding frozen yogurt? According to new research from Mintel, frozen yogurt sales are outpacing ice cream sales. As reported in Convenience Store News’ Frozen Yogurt Growth Freezing Out Ice Cream, “For the 2011-2013 period, frozen yogurt saw a whopping 74-percent sales increase, compared to the 3.9-percent increase seen in ice cream sales.” While ice cream is still more popular than frozen yogurt, truckstop operators may want to consider adding frozen yogurt to their line-up.
Busy, Young Moms Emerge as Heavy Energy Drink Users
We know truckstop customers are changing, but sometimes they are changing in subtle and unexpected ways. For example, according to Convenience Store News’ Busy, Young Moms Emerge as Heavy Energy Drink Users, “Although the typical energy drink user is expected to be young and male, a surprising new demographic is emerging as a top consumer of these beverages: busy, young mothers… Their purchasing index is 150, higher than both "Young Transitionals" or young adults just coming out of college, and "Independent Singles" in their 20s and 30s.” Do you carry energy drinks at your location? Are they arranged in a display and location that would attract that busy, young mother?
One-Third of Americans Consume Meat Alternatives
Clearly, big steaks and oversized burgers will always be a truckstop staple, but what about meat alternatives? According to Convenience Store News’ One-Third of Americans Consume Meat Alternatives, “Only 7 percent of consumers identify themselves as vegetarian, yet 36 percent say they use meat alternatives such as tofu, tempeh and seitan, according to new research from Mintel. What’s more, less than half of the consumers who use meat alternatives are using the products in place of real meat, with 16 percent indicating that they use the products alongside real meat offerings.”
Be sure to read the full articles for more stats and insights:
- Frozen Yogurt Growth Freezing Out Ice Cream
- Busy, Young Moms Emerge as Heavy Energy Drink Users
- One-Third of Americans Consume Meat Alternatives
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Join the conversation! Are you seeing these trends at your truckstop? What other unusual food trends are emerging in your area? |
Photo Credit: Ira Wexler/NATSO
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