FEATURE
A HEALTHY OPPORTUNITY As health and wellness goes mainstream, c-stores should respond with choice By Renée M. Covino TWO YEARS of
a pandemic that upended consumers’ lifestyles, routines, eating habits, moods and more have pushed the supersonic button on the importance of health and wellness for individuals across multiple aspects of their daily lives. There’s strong evidence across the retail sector that consumer preferences have recently shifted to include a greater interest in health-conscious products and a lifestyle more focused on wellness. In a recent consumer trends report from consulting and technology services firm Capgemini, 69 percent of shoppers said they will be more conscious of personal health and will look to purchase healthier products postpandemic. “Healthier eating has gone more mainstream, and the general population is more accustomed to embracing new health objectives,” said Sara
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Watson, principal of consumer products, retail and services for Capgemini Americas. Regarding the convenience channel, in particular, Watson said: “It seems like we’re shifting to a more inclusive model of bringing a range of food selections together in c-stores. No longer do products need to be labeled or grouped by healthy vs. unhealthy. It’s just presenting customers with a selection of grab-and-go foods that can meet their needs.”
The Kid Factor The Capgemini research also pointed to a particular health-conscious consumer group rising above others — consumers with children. In the study, 74 percent of shoppers with children in their households said they will be more cautious about personal health, compared to 67 percent of shoppers without children. In addition to catering to this group moving forward,
