The global convenience sector demonstrated strong resilience in Q1 2025, with 25 of 33 NIQ-tracked countries reporting year-over-year value sales growth, according to the Q1 2025 NACS NIQ Global Convenience Store Industry Report.
Latin America led the performance, with Argentina achieving notable value gains despite inflation-driven volume declines. In Europe, retailers helped sustain performance by ramping up targeted promotional activity in response to modest economic growth and late Easter.
Consumer preferences across regions reflected a growing emphasis on wellness, convenience and affordable indulgence, according to the report. In Asia-Pacific, consumers showed strong demand for wellness-related products, with notable growth in healthcare, personal care and paper products categories. Meanwhile, U.S. shoppers gravitated toward frozen food, frozen beverages and wine, while European consumers favored perishable food, frozen food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Retailers continued to adjust their strategies to meet changing seasonal and economic dynamics. In Canada, the expansion of alcohol sales in Ontario drove liquor sales up over +300%. Meanwhile, in Asia-Pacific, retailers capitalized on emerging consumer needs, with niche categories like disinfectants and hair tonic both experiencing significant growth exceeding +400% in value sales.
“As we move further into 2025, the convenience sector continues to demonstrate its adaptability and importance in meeting evolving consumer needs. The insights from this quarter’s report underscore the value of staying informed and agile in a rapidly changing global market,” said James Hunt, senior vice president, North American retail at NIQ.
Looking to the United States, three of the top five growth categories in Q1 2025 were previously on the list from last quarter: frozen food (+24.3%), wine (+11.8%) and liquor (+8.5%). Two new additions to the top growth category this quarter included frozen dispensed beverages (+12.9%) and cold dispensed beverages (+7.3%), which replaced other deli & dairy products and ice from the prior quarter.