AACS, the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores, in partnership with CMA Consulting, conducted a study in late March to understand the role that fuel and convenience stores play in servicing the Australian community through these unprecedented times.
As the increased threat of COVID-19 spread through communities and lockdown directives were issued—just like in the U.S. and other parts of the world—the Australian government required essential services to remain open. While more people practiced social isolation and were less likely to be out and about, AACS, the voice of more than 33,500 convenience stores, wanted to explore the question: Is there still a vital role for fuel and convenience stores to play, outside of selling fuel?
The results show that convenience stores—no matter the country—serve an essential role in communities, even in the darkest of times.
Consumers indicated they are using convenience stores more than previously as an alternative to grocery stores. During the past two weeks:
- 47% of grocery shoppers said they were using them more often
- 44% of convenience shoppers reported using them more often
The items purchased more frequently from convenience stores are household products, including milk, general groceries and paper products.
Men ages 31 to 40 years old were more likely to indicate they are still using convenience stores for food on the go. And although grocery still ranks as the No. 1 option for shopping for one to three items in a trip, convenience stores are considered safer due to:
- Less people in the store
- Easier and quicker to get in and out
- More likely to have stock availability
While most convenience shoppers haven’t changed their behavior, 42% are shopping at different times than usual:
- 67% to avoid crowds
- 34% for better stock availability
The role of fuels and convenience during this difficult period remains an important one, even more so than usual:
- 63% of convenience shoppers rate eight or above on an agreement scale that stores should remain open
- 47% of grocery shoppers said they are likely to use convenience stores for items other than fuel during this period.
Methodology
Researchers polled 1,000 respondents in an online survey in line with national representation. Respondents included 500 regular convenience store shoppers (determined by shopping for items other than fuel at least twice a week) and 500 regular grocery shoppers (determined by shopping at grocery stores a minimum of every two weeks). The study was conducted March 30–31, 2020, by AACS (www.aacs.org.au) and CMS Consulting.