Retail & Consumer Insights

Retail and Consumer Insights

Here at Apex, we design and produce our displays based on a thorough understanding of the retail marketplace. This understanding comes from extensive research on both the retail environment (through auditing stores) and industry statistics relating to our core customer segments. Below are some examples of the interesting and helpful statistics that we've come across in our research.

Edge by Ascential predicts that food and non-food discount and c-stores will see more than 5% growth through 2024, whereas other prick-and-mortar food, drug, and mass retailers (except warehouse clubs) will see growth of 3% or lower.

Source: Supermarket News

While the total consumer packaged goods industry growth is at about 2%, specialty products such as Fiji water and Cape Cod potato chips grew by about 4.3% and natural products such as LaCroix water and Kind bars grew by about 5.6%

Source: SPINS 2019 State of the Industry Report

83% of consumers say they shop at grocery stores at least once a week.

37% say they shop more often than once a week.

Source: Progressive Grocer

Source: The Hartman Group

89% of consumers report using natural food and beverage products at least occasionally

60% of consumers cite snack portability as important

Source: Nielsen actuals xAOC+C

Female consumers are more likely than males to buy candy in convenience stores.

Source: Convenience Store News Realities of the Aisle Study

81% of US consumers never order groceries online.

11% report shopping online at least once a month.

Source: Progressive Grocer

44% of people buy candy on impulse in C stores.

Source: The Hershey Company, 2020

Retailers have the possibility to boost sales 19% in a display.

Source: The Hershey Company, 2020

Generational Trends

Source: National Retail Federation

Millennials are the most likely of the generations to make specialty food and beverage purchases.

Older millennials (ages 35-42) seem to align with Gen-X as far as attitudes and behaviors.

Mature millennials and Gen-Xs rank highest overall as purchasers of specialty food.

60% of Millennials' grocery purchases are natural or organic.

45% of Millennials say "Best Prices" and "offers coupons/promos" are important when deciding to connect with a brand.

48% of Gen X & Baby Boomers say they're as likely to choose a store brand as a national one, vs 51% of Millennials

Source: The Hartman Group

Source: The Hartman Group,

Source: Acosta Inc.

Source: The State of the Specialty Food Industry

Gen-Zs (adults between the ages of 18-24) will spend on quality, but are most likely to think that specialty foods are overpriced.

Gen-Zs make food choices with health in mind, and emphasize the importance of a company's values in purchase decisions.

Gen-Zs are more likely than others to read nutritional facts/ingredient labels.

Gen-Zs favor convenience over scratch cooking and are strong consumers of takeout, food delivery, quick options, or meal ingredient delivery. However, they are the least likely to say they buy RTE meals.

*UNIQUE STOCK TOOLING PROGRAM*

Learn more about Apex's unique and cost-saving Stock Tooling Program.

We have 500+ sets of stock tooling to save you thousands in start-up costs for your display program!

Retail and Consumer Insights

Edge by Ascential predicts that food and non-food discount and c-stores will see more than 5% growth through 2024, whereas other prick-and-mortar food, drug, and mass retailers (except warehouse clubs) will see growth of 3% or lower.

While the total consumer packaged goods industry growth is at about 2%, specialty products such as Fiji water and Cape Cod potato chips grew by about 4.3% and natural products such as LaCroix water and Kind bars grew by about 5.6%

83% of consumers say they shop at grocery stores at least once a week.

​

​

37% say they shop more often than once a week.

89% of consumers report using natural food and beverage products at least occasionally

60% of consumers cite snack portability as important

Female consumers are more likely than males to buy candy in convenience stores.

81% of US consumers never order groceries online.

​

​

11% report shopping online at least once a month.

44% of people buy candy on impulse in C stores.

Retailers have the possibility to boost sales 19% in a display.

Generational Trends

Millennials are the most likely of the generations to make specialty food and beverage purchases.

​

Older millennials (ages 35-42) seem to align with Gen-X as far as attitudes and behaviors.

​

Mature millennials and Gen-Xs rank highest overall as purchasers of specialty food.

​

60% of Millennials' grocery purchases are natural or organic.

​

45% of Millennials say "Best Prices" and "offers coupons/promos" are important when deciding to connect with a brand.

​

48% of Gen X & Baby Boomers say they're as likely to choose a store brand as a national one, vs 51% of Millennials

Gen-Zs (adults between the ages of 18-24) will spend on quality, but are most likely to think that specialty foods are overpriced.

​

Gen-Zs make food choices with health in mind, and emphasize the importance of a company's values in purchase decisions.

​

Gen-Zs are more likely than others to read nutritional facts/ingredient labels.

​

Gen-Zs favor convenience over scratch cooking and are strong consumers of takeout, food delivery, quick options, or meal ingredient delivery. However, they are the least likely to say they buy RTE meals.

​

Gen-Zs are open to new diets and movements, such as keto, vegetarian/vegan, and dairy-free.

Winter Holiday Highlights

59% start shopping in November

​

​

22% start seasonal buying in October​

​

19% begin shopping in September

55% said they would shop online

​

54% bought at discount stores

​

46% shopped grocery

​

57% made department store trips

UNIQUE STOCK TOOLING PROGRAM

22% start seasonal buying in October