C-Store Suppliers Are Confident About 2021

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Suppliers who sell through convenience stores saw their sales in the channel grow in 2020, with nearly twice as many reporting an increase rather than a decrease (50% vs. 28%, respectively), according to the results of a new NACS Research survey of supplier members.

The NACS Supplier Member survey results mirror what NACS retailer members reported in a similar survey in January, with 59% of retailers reporting a sales increase, compared with 30% who saw sales decline (in-store sales only).

More significantly, NACS supplier members say they are increasing their emphasis on the convenience channel in 2021: 63% said they will boost their investment in the channel—including 18% who will significantly increase their investment—compared to 10% who say they will decrease their convenience retail investment. And, they said that product innovation will be their top investment in the channel, ahead of growing their sales forces and advertising, among others.

New Relationships

Suppliers credit forming new relationships with retailers as the primary driver for growing 2020 sales (cited by 57%), followed by increasing the number of SKUs in the channel (cited by 32%) and increasing the quantity of existing SKUs in the channel (cited by 24%). Suppliers also said they will continue these efforts in 2021: 62% will seek to form new relationships with retailers, 29% will add more SKUs in the channel and 25% will increase the amount of existing SKUs.

“Our industry continues to find success in very challenging times because our supplier partners truly are partners, and our close working relationships—and alignment on strategies and attitudes—are important and we together redefine how we provide convenience to customers every single day,” said NACS Chairman Kevin Smartt, CEO and president of Kwik Chek Food Stores, based in Bonham, Texas.

“The challenges and change that we and our convenience retailer partners have experienced over the past year have been seismic. What hasn’t changed is our collective commitment to each other and the consumers we both serve,” said Rick Brindle, chairman of the NACS Supplier Board and vice president of industry development for Mondelez International.

Suppliers also noted the top issues for the convenience retail industry to address, led by keeping up with shopper preferences (55%), introducing new products (49%) and meeting convenience demand for pickup or delivery (38%). Foodservice (45%) and food safety (33%) were also top priorities expressed by suppliers.

Outlook for 2021

Suppliers are more optimistic than pessimistic about first-quarter sales in the convenience retailing channel (41% optimistic vs. 36% pessimistic), and their optimism grows significantly looking at the coming three quarters, peaking at 83% of suppliers expressing optimism about fourth-quarter sales, compared to only 5% who are pessimistic. This optimism for their prospects in the convenience channel even exceeds retailer optimism, with 67% of retailers expressing optimism for the fourth quarter, compared to 7% who are pessimistic.

The NACS Supplier Member Pulse Survey was fielded Jan. 27-Feb. 5, 2021, by NACS Research and complements six-plus years of Retailer Pulse Surveys. A total of 109 companies participated. NACS Research conducts custom research with retailer and supplier members, consumers and shoppers to identify key priorities and opportunities across the convenience and fuel retail landscape. Learn more about NACS Research.

The NACS retailer and supplier member surveys provide a snapshot of industry performance. The industry’s most comprehensive data collection of performance is the NACS State of the Industry of 2020 Data. Retailers are encouraged to participate in the 2020 survey being fielded now by NACS Research. All information submitted is confidential.

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