Demand for Coffee Soars / Cold Sales Heating Up
Apr 2013 –CATEGORY MANAGEMENT OUTLOOK REPORT 2013 -- Sales of coffee dominate sales of hot beverages, making up 83.3% of the total hot beverage market in the US. Coffee consumption is expected to increase through 2015 at an average annual rate of 2.7%, while tea consumption  is expected to increase through 2015 at an average annual rate of 3.1%, according to the National Coffee Association's (NCA) National Coffee Drinking Study.  Click Here for the complete article.

C-Stores Favor Social Media Over Other Digital Platforms
Mar 2013 – NATIONAL REPORT -- Three-quarters of convenience store retailers use Facebook, and image building is their dominant strategy for the social media platform, according to a new social and digital media study conducted by Convenience Store News and Balvor LLC, a leading retail industry consultancy. That’s significantly more than the number that use digital platforms such as e-mail marketing (56 percent) and text messaging (51 percent).  Click Here for the complete article.

C-Stores Recapture Coffee
Feb  2013 – Exclusive study shows highest sales since 2008!
NEW YORK -- The convenience channel's continued efforts to upgrade its coffee offering--considered by many the gateway to any successful breakfast foodservice offer--is paying dividends.
 
In data obtained exclusively by CSP Daily News, the convenience store industry reported its highest coffee sales in five years. A report by foodservice market research specialists StudyLogic, Long Island, N.Y., shows 2012 net coffee sales at more than $2.85 billion, placing it third in total coffee volume, behind coffee shops and burger restaurants. (Coffee sales include brewed, espresso and blending services.)
 
"This is an exciting time for c-stores," said Samuel Nahmias, executive vice president and COO at StudyLogic. "For the first time in five years, c-stores are finally growing their total hot beverage unit sales after the economy fell in late 2008. We are now back and above historical unit consumption levels. Click Here for the complete article.