STATE COLLEGE, PA - There was a significant increase in convenience store visits in 2011, but lower conversion of the visitors into buyers, according to analysis from VideoMining Corporation??s National C-Store Shopper Insights program. Shoppers spent less time in the stores and lower amounts per trip, though the overall same-store sales trended up.

"We expected changes, but were quite surprised by the magnitude of shifts in shopping pattern within a year," said Dr. Rajeev Sharma, CEO of VideoMining, in a press release. "Understanding and responding to these trends is important for both the retailers and manufacturers in this dynamic channel."

Sharma will present highlights from the findings at the NACS State of Industry Summit in Chicago on April 4.