Over the past few years, convenience stores have evolved from “one-stop-shops for buying snacks and drink for a road trip” to small retail businesses that stock a wide variety of everyday products. However, it has led to an increase in competition as the market is flooded with more players. Therefore, modern c-stores need to provide excellent customer experience and value-added services to survive the hyper-competitive niche.
The only way to stay at the top of the competition is to take a proactive approach and keep up with the latest trends. Here’s a brief outlook on the future of convenience stores to help you get started.
Seamless Experience
Modern customers expect a seamless shopping experience at convenient stores. In the coming years, c-stores must be equipped with the latest technology like mobile apps and smart screens to allow customers to check promotions even before they step into the store and conveniently place an order. Many gas stations have started switching to the latest fuel pumps with screens to promote their c-stores products and maximize their sales.
Community Oriented Services
Convenient store owners have started realizing the potential of marketing opportunities in their facilities. In the future, they are likely to play a crucial community-oriented role. For instance, c-stores can make an additional income by promoting and selling tickets for local events. Moreover, they can partner with local charities to help the community get more exposure in the local community and build brand awareness with customers.
Quick Checkouts
As more Americans move toward non-cash payment options, convenience stores will implement seamless payment gateways to facilitate quick checkouts. EMV-compliant point-of-sale (POS) will become standard in c-stores to provide seamless and secure payment options. Modern customers are highly concerned about safe payment options, so c-stores that don’t adopt modern technology may lose customers and lag behind the competition.
Final words
The competition gets tougher for convenience stores in the United States. C-stores who need to maintain a competitive edge in the coming years must equip themselves with the latest technology and start planning for the future. A great start is switching to EMV-compliant POS to provide secure checkouts to customers. It will protect c-stores against financial liabilities and lay the foundation for tech updates to provide excellent customer service in the coming years.
If you want your gas station and c-store to become EMV-compliant or buy premium-quality petroleum equipment and supplies, visit our online store today. At John W. Kennedy Company, you can find the latest EMV-compliant products and best-quality gas station equipment from the top brands like Gilbarco Veeder-Root.
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