Convenience for Customers: How to Tap Into the On-the-Go Market

Customers are constantly looking for convenient ways to consume goods. During the hustle and bustle of working life, an average consumer might not have time to make their own lunch or brew their own coffee. This is where a convenience store can save the working day.

After all, if customers are on-the-go, they’ll want grab-and-go goods.

The on-the-go market is actually a surging trend. According to the Food to Go Market Report by Lumina Intelligence UK in 2021, the grab-and-go market is predicted to be worth a staggering £22.6 billion by 2024. So if this market is so profitable, how can your corner shop stay ahead of the game?

Here, we will explore some of the ways your convenience store can do just this by tapping into the on-the-go market.

Slush machines to excite icy-drink lovers

In addition to baked goods, customers may be tempted to enter your store if they see some frozen drinks on offer. On a warm afternoon, children and adults alike crave a cooling beverages. Irresistibly tasty and nostalgic, slushies may be the drink of choice. After all, who can resist such an icy treat?

To make your convenience store stand out from the rest, you can even invest in a fizzy slush machine. This will satisfy both fizzy pop lovers and icy-drink lovers. According to Snowshock, slushies can be very profitable. In fact, these frozen delights can earn shop owners an 84% profit with each drink, and who wouldn’t want that?

Mini fridges for bottled drinks and packed sandwiches

To appeal to the on-the-go market, your corner shop should be equipped with a mini-fridge. These can be stocked with an assortment of drinks, from fizzy pop to milkshakes and fruit juices. The Local Shop Report reveals soft drinks amounted to 9.2% of sales by independent retailers in 2021. So, you have a lot to gain from this investment.

In addition to chilled drinks, convenience stores can provide customers with snacks and cold sandwiches. Consumers in the UK are familiar with the ‘Meal Deal’ in supermarket chains. For a set price, they can purchase a main, a snack, and a drink. This can be something as simple as a cheese and ham wrap, a packet of crisps, and a bottle of strawberry-flavoured water. Having this extra amenity in your store is sure to bring in on-the-go customers looking for grab-and-go choices.

Coffee machines to wake up late risers

On a busy Monday morning, people often forget their freshly brewed coffee on their way to work. We can’t blame them. Well, this is where your convenience store can come to the rescue. Investing in a coffee machine is no small purchase, but it can definitely provide you with a return on investment. Considering 63% of adults drink coffee and tea on a regular basis, this can be the next best amenity for your store.

Deli counters for baked goods

While customers are visiting your corner store for their morning coffee, you can also provide them with a tempting breakfast. A deli counter can be stocked with baked goods to enjoy from sunrise to sunset. These treats – anything from a croissant to a sausage bun – can be delivered from a local bakery or pre-packaged to have a longer shelf life.

Either way, a grab-and-go pastry alongside a fresh coffee is far too tempting to resist. Recent trends show that vegan baked goods are becoming more and more popular with consumers. So appeal to wider markets and provide a mixture of vegan baked goods along with your regular range.

These are four ways to attract customers into your corner shop. As a business owner, you should consider other amenities you can invest in to do just this. After all, customers are always on the hunt for convenient buys, and you can help them along the way. Which amenity are you going to invest in first?