On the Rebound

Everyone likes a comeback story and there were three in 2015 when it comes to center-store categories in the convenience store industry. Most impressive, ice cream and frozen novelties went from a 0.3-percent decline in per-store sales in 2014 to a 4.7-percent rise last year. Health and beauty care (HBC) went from a 1.3-percent loss to a 3.4-percent gain year over year. And non-edible grocery improved from a 1.3-percent decrease to a 2.6-percent increase.

While all segments of the ice cream and frozen novelties category saw per-store sales increases in 2015, the largest percentage growth came from frozen yogurt/ sherbet/sorbet (up 5.9 percent). Interestingly, this segment had the biggest loss in 2014, taking a 10.1-percent fall.

Last year’s rebound of HBC was helped along by per-store sales growth in vitamins (up 6.8 percent) and analgesics (up 5.1 percent), in particular. However, all segments of HBC with the exception of family planning and feminine hygiene saw higher sales per store.

The comeback of non-edible grocery was not as pronounced. Per-store sales of household care items jumped 11.1 percent, which offset declines in other segments like pet care and dish care. In addition, the catchall of all other non-edible grocery took an 8-percent hit.