The annual Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) State of the Industry Report is set to be released next week.
The eagerly awaited AACS report will be launched at a series of member breakfasts across the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of May in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane respectively.
The report will reinforce that Australia’s convenience industry is one of the strongest in the world.
AACS said the Australian convenience channel has outperformed the grocery channel over the past four years and is about to outperform it again for a fifth year.
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said the convenience industry recorded a strong result in 2016.
“The changing mix of the modern convenience store and the willingness of our operators to observe global trends and take an innovative approach is holding our channel in good stead,” he said.
“Ensuring a clean, engaging and, above all, convenient customer experience is at the core of what we do.
“Our operators have embraced the challenge of changing consumer preferences to adopt a stronger food and beverage mix, for example, to cement our value proposition in the competitive retail space.”
Mr Rogut also noted the importance of the convenience sector in attributing to employment and the local community.
“The 2016 result shows we are on track to continue to play a vital role economically and our industry has a bright future,” he said.
Among the sectors being reported on, the best performing were ‘On-the-Go Food’ and fresh coffee.
The report reinforces the need for operators to align with evolving customer demand for healthier food and beverages.
Fuel sales volumes also grew over the course of the year while tobacco remained strong against the inhibitive legislation.
The full report will be available to ACCS members and will be available for purchase by non-members.