Consumers Shop Convenience Stores As Regularly As Supermarkets

NEW YORK, June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to understand how the consumer shops in convenience stores, a recent survey of 1,000 men and women across the U.S. was conducted by Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) for Imprint Plus, a leading manufacturer of customized, re-usable, magnetic name badge and signage systems.

When asked how often consumers shop in a convenience store, 59% of the respondents reported more than once a week, with that number increasing to over 70% among 18-44 year olds. Surprisingly 25% of the consumers surveyed reported that they shop in a convenience store more or as frequently as they shop at the supermarket or grocery store. 

"Virtually every consumer today shops at a convenience store, with only 6% of the respondents stating that they never shop there," says Marla Kott, Imprint Plus CEO. "Most of the convenience store shoppers are married (48%), employed (63%) with the majority (80%) living in metro regions of the country. Given these numbers every national consumer products manufacturer, such as Coke, Pepsi, Hershey's, Kraft, Frito-Lay, Nabisco, Welch's, must be targeting these consumers, so excellent customer service can make a difference."

Among the top purchases at convenience stores are drinks such as soda, bottled water or juice (29%); or snacks and candy (21%). Other purchases included gas (12%); milk or dairy products (11%); and cigarettes (10%). One third of all respondents (33%) stated that it was important for a convenience store to carry ethnic branded products, such as Indian, Chinese, or Spanish foods.  The number rose to 41% among 18-34 year olds.  In addition, 42% of consumers think it is important for employees to be fluent in a language other than English, reflecting on the global shopping experience. This number jumps to 51% among 18-34 year olds.

When shopping in a convenience store, 35% reported that it is important to know a person by name when doing business. The percentage increases to 39% among those consumers in the 35-44 year old age demographic.

In previous Imprint Plus consumer surveys, 76% stated that they had more trust in a business and considered the company more professional when their employees wore name badges. Surprisingly, the percentages were higher overall among the 18-34 year old demographic. 

"Customers place a higher level of trust in businesses that visibly brand and distinguish their staff. Identifying the employee with a professional name badge that promotes accountability and a commitment to customer relations, can enhance the shopping experience," concludes Ms. Kott. "Rather than sticking on a plain paper label or pinning on a plastic tag, people are choosing sleek, impressive-looking metallic name badges that showcase the wearer professionally, without falling off or damaging clothing."

Imprint Plus manufactures an assortment of name badges and systems that range from customized company name badge systems; to The Mighty Badge Kit, perfect for the small to mid-size businesses with 10+ employees; to YouWho name badges in two- and four-unit kits, starting at $25. Imprint Plus recently introduced its multi-language version of its "plug and play" Name Print Graphics (NPG) software. The new software supports five languages of English, Portuguese, German, French and Spanish for creating professional looking name badges in print text with graphics on any PC. In addition to the multi-language feature, the new software offers foreign language character input for Chinese and Japanese languages. For information on name badges, visit www.imprintplus.com, www.themightybadge.com, or  www.youwhobadges.com.

SOURCE Imprint Plus