HOUSTON – U.S. Hispanics are more likely to purchase grocery foods, dairy and bread from convenience stores than non-Hispanics, reports The NPD Group. Spanish-dominant Hispanics are more likely to make grocery item purchases at convenience stores than other Hispanics, according to the NPD report entitled “The C-Store Hispanic Shopper.” The study examines the typical convenience store shopping behavior of Hispanics by level of acculturation and how it compares to non-Hispanics. 

“As one of the fastest growing U.S. population groups, Hispanics are an important segment for the c-store channel,” sad David Portalatin, NPD’s convenience store industry analyst, in a press release. “As this report reveals, having a good range of grocery like items and other staples may increase Hispanic traffic, and promoting fresh foods considered to be more home-made or cooked should resonate well among Hispanics.”

On average, U.S. Hispanics make almost two more visits a month than non-Hispanics to major oil chain convenience stores, and nearly one more visit over a 30-day period to traditional convenience stores than non-Hispanics. For some Hispanics, convenience stores supplement or substitute grocery stores.

In addition to groceries, more than two-thirds of Hispanics consider having fresh food available at convenience stores to be very/somewhat important. Fresh foods are more likely to be purchased by Hispanics for lunch or breakfast and hot foods are preferred. Sandwiches/wraps are least likely to be purchased by Hispanics.