Consumers expect fast, tech-driven shopping experiences in c-stores

The younger demographic requires faster checkout and omnichannel innovations in the store, according to a new c-store consumer insight survey.

Shoppers, younger ones in particular, demand more efficient and technology-driven convenience store experiences, according to Zynstra's newly released C-Store Consumer Insights Survey identifying consumer pain points and expectations.

When it comes to shopping consumers are expecting an efficient and tech-driven convenience store experience with 15% abandoning a non-essential purchase just after waiting one minute in line and a majority, 61%, stating a self-checkout option would stop them from abandoning a purchase if there is a long line at a traditional cashier.

"The younger demographic clearly represents an attractive opportunity to drive growth in the c-store market, however it’s important to take note they require faster checkout and omnichannel innovations in the store," said Nick East, CEO and founder, Zynstra regarding the research, in a press release.

"As seen in our September 2019 CFR Technology Leader Research, retailers themselves want to implement these technologies but many of them do not have the infrastructure in place to support them. As such, legacy infrastructure is hindering the in-store experience, resulting in frustrated shoppers and loss of revenue. To remedy this, c-store retailers must optimize their existing POS infrastructure to digitally transform their stores for today and tomorrow’s customers."

Zynstra C-Store Consumer Insights Survey is based on the results of an online survey of 1,000 shoppers, ages 18 to 65-plus.

Zynstra is a leading provider of purpose-built software powering the retail edge.