Introduction

As top-up shopping becomes a norm for European consumers, the convenience sector is having to adapt to new challenges. Shoppers regularly visiting their local c-store are demanding improved ranges and innovative services. C-stores which adapt quickly to implement strategies which respond to these demands will reap rich rewards.

Features and benefits

• Justify investment in the convenience retailing sector by uncovering evidence of the consumer trends supporting
• Choose the best path to growth based on case studies of convenience strategies of Carrefour, Morrisons, Rewe, Delhaize, Reitan, Tesco & Valora
• Quantify the potential of introducing click & collect facilities and shopping walls to integrate new technology with c-stores
• Assess the potential risks and benefits of expanding into convenience through acquisiton and into food-to-go, foodservice and fresh from a c-store

Highlights

European shoppers are switching away from hypermarkets and are buying little and often in a store close to their home or work. The ongoing move towards top-up shopping is validated in our Consumer Insight Survey which shows the proportion of shoppers who make top-up purchases every day at a convenience store has risen to 5.1% from 2.6% in 2009.

Food-to-go in convenience stores is nothing new. However, the food service propositions of some c-store retailers, such as Rewe, are improving so rapidly that they are starting to rival traditional food service specialists. This has created a blurring of the boundaries between the two types of retailer.

Virtual shopping walls in c-stores serve to create a bridge between two grocery retail channels, catering for the needs of tech savvy convenience shoppers who also want to use online shopping services. Such initiatives scratch the surface in terms of the possibilities for channel integration and this report explores further opportunities.

Your key questions answered

• How is the growth of multiples impacting the convenience market? What paths to growth are multiples pursuing? How does this effect your business?
• What are the latest innovations in convenience retailing? How have Carrefour, Rewe, Morrisons and Sainsbury's innovations performed?
• How can I adapt my strategy to benefit from growth in top-up shopping? What are the pitfalls to avoid and the key areas to invest in?
• Which retailers have been making acquisitions and what features should I be looking for in an acquisition target?
• Which convenience retailers have managed to develop strong food service propositions and which parts of their strategy should I replicate?