Cost-conscious consumers trade down from restaurants to c-stores [Video]

C-stores are offering fresh options and good value to lure consumers away from restaurants. | Photo: Shutterstock

Dining-out traffic is down as consumers look to control their spending as high prices persist. In addition, unease about the economy also has consumers seeking deals.

But, according to Donna Hood Crecca, principal at Technomic, consumers still are looking for food outside the home. And, even though customers notice higher prices on prepared food and beverages at convenience stores as well as at restaurants, there’s still an avenue for c-stores to grab market share—because customers are less likely to reduce c-store visits than restaurant visits due to higher prices.

According to a recent Technomic C-Store Consumer Market Brief, 54% of c-store patrons say they’re reducing visits to restaurants because of higher menu prices, but only 30% of c-store patrons say they are purchasing foodservice items from c-stores less often.

“One reason the majority are staying engaged with c-store foodservice is they …