Strong Sales Forecast for C-store Industry in 2007
Results from Convenience Store News' exclusive 2007 Forecast Study, revealed to a group of elite retailers last week, verified what one retailer at the meeting boldly asserted: "The convenience store channel has been the most successful segment in retailing over the past five years."
And, it keeps getting better.
Gasoline prices are forecasted to be more stable -- relative to 2006. OTP (other tobacco products) will continue to grow next year; malt beverages will rebound; and packaged beverages will see double digit per store sales gains next year. Of the major in-store merchandise categories, only confectionary will be relatively flat with previous year sales results.
The 2007 Forecast Study is based on data from ACNielsen, TDLinx, McLane Co. and other sources. This data is then fed into an exclusive forecasting model created by CSNews and Maureen Maguire, president of ThinkResearch, to predict future store sales and market share vs. other channels of retailing.
The research is presented by Maguire and CSNews publisher/editorial director Maureen Azzato to a panel of key retailers, including Jeff Morris, president and CEO, of Alon USA; Sonja Hubard, CEO of EZ Mart Stores; John Call, president and CEO of CF Capital Assets; Louie Sheetz, executive vice president, marketing, of Sheetz Inc.; Michael Zielinski, president, of Royal Buying Group; Terry Pippin, director of merchandise, Sinclair Oil; and Rick Rykal, retail specialist, CHS Inc./Cenex.
The 2007 Forecast Study was sponsored by Altadis, The Hershey Co., and McLane Co. Watch for CSNews' January 15, 2007 issue for complete report findings.
And, it keeps getting better.
Gasoline prices are forecasted to be more stable -- relative to 2006. OTP (other tobacco products) will continue to grow next year; malt beverages will rebound; and packaged beverages will see double digit per store sales gains next year. Of the major in-store merchandise categories, only confectionary will be relatively flat with previous year sales results.
The 2007 Forecast Study is based on data from ACNielsen, TDLinx, McLane Co. and other sources. This data is then fed into an exclusive forecasting model created by CSNews and Maureen Maguire, president of ThinkResearch, to predict future store sales and market share vs. other channels of retailing.
The research is presented by Maguire and CSNews publisher/editorial director Maureen Azzato to a panel of key retailers, including Jeff Morris, president and CEO, of Alon USA; Sonja Hubard, CEO of EZ Mart Stores; John Call, president and CEO of CF Capital Assets; Louie Sheetz, executive vice president, marketing, of Sheetz Inc.; Michael Zielinski, president, of Royal Buying Group; Terry Pippin, director of merchandise, Sinclair Oil; and Rick Rykal, retail specialist, CHS Inc./Cenex.
The 2007 Forecast Study was sponsored by Altadis, The Hershey Co., and McLane Co. Watch for CSNews' January 15, 2007 issue for complete report findings.