Customers become more vulnerable to cravings as the day goes on. Byrne compared it to a New Year’s resolution: early in the day, people are determined to eat healthy food only at mealtimes, but that resolution fades sometime after lunch.
The Technomic survey bears this observation out. Just 23% of customers reported visiting a c-store to satisfy a breakfast craving, but that number jumps to 32% by afternoon snack time and to 38% late at night.
C-store operators should pay close attention to when cravings are most prevalent, Byrne advised. “If you’re not paying attention and leveraging the crap out of that, you’re missing your biggest opportunity.