Preparing for Super Bowl LIX: A Winning Game Plan for C-Store Owners

With Super Bowl LIX set up for Sunday, February 9, 2025, convenience stores and gas stations are uniquely positioned to capitalize on this event. Football fans will be stocking up on snacks, beverages, and party essentials as they prepare for game-day festivities. This is your opportunity to score big sales, but preparation is key. Here’s a detailed guide on how c-store owners can stock the right products, create attractive promotions, and take advantage of limited-edition items to maximize profits.

Stocking Game-Day Essentials

Football fans will be shopping for snacks, drinks, and party supplies in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. Here are some of the most in-demand categories and why they’re crucial to your inventory:

Snacks: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasers

• Chips and Dips: These are game-day staples. Stock a variety of chips, including tortilla chips, potato chips, and pita chips. Pair them with popular dips like salsa, guacamole, and queso. Limited-edition flavors, like “Buffalo Wing” chips or “Chili Cheese” dips, can create excitement.
• Pretzels and Popcorn: Offer a mix of classic options and gourmet twists, like caramel popcorn or honey mustard pretzels.
• Jerky and Meat Snacks: Protein-packed snacks are a hit with sports fans. Include beef, turkey, and plant-based jerky options to appeal to all customers.

Beverages: Hydration and Indulgence

• Beer and Seltzers: Alcohol sales typically spike during the Super Bowl. Stock popular brands, including domestic, craft, and hard seltzer options. Look out for limited-edition Super Bowl-branded cans or team-specific packaging.
• Sodas and Sparkling Water: Offer multi-packs of top-selling sodas and premium sparkling waters like LaCroix and Topo Chico. Super Bowl-themed packaging is a draw here, too.
• Energy Drinks: Many fans may host all-day gatherings, so energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster are crucial to keeping them fueled.

Frozen Foods: Quick and Easy Options

• Pizza: Frozen pizzas are a game-day essential. Include classic options and indulgent varieties like meat lovers’ or stuffed crust.
• Wings and Appetizers: Stock frozen wings, mozzarella sticks, and mini tacos. Many customers are looking for heat-and-eat items. Limited-edition “spicy” or “game-day flavor” packs are especially enticing.

Sweet Treats and Desserts

• Candy and Chocolates: Super Bowl parties need desserts. Highlight limited-edition items like football-shaped chocolates or special flavors of candies.
• Cookies and Brownies: Freshly baked or prepackaged treats will cater to those looking for something indulgent.

Specialty and Limited-Edition Products

Creating urgency around limited-edition items can drive impulse purchases. Look for products tied to the Super Bowl, such as:

Snacks and Dips

• Ritz Bits Spicy Queso: This bold, spicy twist on the classic Ritz Bits is the first new flavor in nearly a decade and comes in snack-sized 3-ounce bags. Perfect for customers looking for convenient, shareable snacks.
• Cheetos Pizza Puffs: Packed with pizza flavors like tomato, cheese, and Italian spices, these nostalgic puffs are back after 20 years and guaranteed to appeal to both older fans and new snack enthusiasts.
• Lay’s Game Day Chip Flavors: Look out for special Lay’s flavors like Buffalo Chicken Dip, Loaded Baked Potato, or Jalapeño Popper, which often debut around Super Bowl season.
• Dean’s Dips New Flavors: With fresh options like Creamy Dill, Fiesta Taco, and Guacamole Flavored, these dips pair perfectly with tortilla or potato chips for party-ready snacks.
• Doritos Sweet & Tangy BBQ: A limited-edition Doritos flavor that combines the sweetness of barbecue with a tangy kick-ideal for fans of bold and adventurous snacks.
• Pringles Game Time Stack Packs: Super Bowl-themed mini Pringles packs featuring crowd-favorite flavors like Sour Cream & Onion and BBQ. The themed packaging is a great conversation starter.

Beverages

• Bud Light Super Bowl Cans: These collectible, themed cans feature Super Bowl branding and are available in single cans and multi-packs. Highlight them near your beer displays for maximum visibility.
• Pepsi Super Bowl Bottles: Pepsi’s special-edition bottles celebrating the big game are always popular. Place them in coolers at eye level to encourage impulse buys.
• Mountain Dew Pitch Black: The fan-favorite soda flavor is back for a limited time, just in time for the Super Bowl. Its bold taste and unique black color make me stand out.
• White Claw Limited-Edition Tropical Pack: This hard seltzer pack includes exclusive tropical flavors like Guava and Passionfruit, perfect for party-goers looking for something refreshing.
• Coca-Cola Zero Sugar with Super Bowl Packaging: Offer Coca-Cola Zero Sugar with branded packaging featuring the Super Bowl logo for a guilt-free game-day drink.
• Gatorade Fast Twitch Energy Drinks: A new addition to Gatorade’s lineup, these energy drinks offer hydration and a caffeine boost, perfect for fans hosting long game-day gatherings.

Frozen Foods

• Totino’s Pizza Rolls Limited Flavors: Pizza rolls are already a game-day favorite, but this year look out for limited-edition flavors like Spicy Sausage and Four Cheese Garlic.
• Velveeta Shapes & Cheese: Featuring pasta shaped like footballs, helmets, and goalposts, paired with Velveeta’s classic cheese sauce. Promote this as a centerpiece for easy party recipes.
• TGI Friday’s Frozen Appetizers: Stock items like Mozzarella Sticks, Potato Skins, and Buffalo Wings. These heat-and-eat appetizers are perfect for party hosts looking for quick solutions.

Sweets Treats and Desserts

• Post Malone Oreo Cookies: A collaboration with the famous artist, these Oreos feature a swirled salted caramel and shortbread crème filling sandwiched between chocolate and Golden Oreo cookies. They’re as Instagram-worthy as they are tasty.
• M&M’s Super Bowl Mix: Limited-edition M&M’s in the colors of the teams playing in the Super Bowl. These are perfect for fans throwing team-themed parties.
• Snickers Cinnamon Bun Candy Bars: A creative twist on the classic Snickers, featuring a cinnamon-bun flavored nougat for a sweet and satisfying snack.
• Hostess Football Cupcakes: Hostess releases their signature cupcakes with football-themed icing, making them a fun addition to any dessert table.
• Reese’s Big Cups with Pretzels: A limited-edition Reese’s treat that combines creamy peanut butter, chocolate, and salty pretzels-a unique sweet-and-savory combination for indulgent snacking.

Party Supplies and Extras

• NFL Team-Branded Plates and Cups: Disposable partyware featuring team logos makes cleanup easier while letting fans show their spirit.
• Charcoal and Grilling Supplies: Stock essentials like charcoal, lighter fluid, and disposable grilling tools for those planning backyard barbecues.

Promotions on Limited-Edition Bundles to Boost Sales

Create promotions that encourage larger purchases:

• Snack & Dip Combos: Pair Doritos or Ritz Bits with Dean’s Dips at a discount.
• Beer & Snack Bundles: Offer a deal for a 6-pack of Bud Light and a bag of Doritos or Lay’s chips.
• Energy Boost Packs: Combine Gatorade Fast Twitch or Mountain Dew Pitch Black with a protein snack like beef jerky.

Merchandising Tips

1. Themed Displays: Create a Super Bowl-themed endcap or table featuring these limited-edition items alongside game-day staples.
2. Signage for Convenience: Use signs like “Perfect for Game Day!” to draw attention to frozen items that align with Super Bowl festivities.
3. Pair with Dips: Cross-merchandise frozen pretzels, wings, and pizza rolls with dips (like ranch, queso, or salsa) to boost basket size.
4. Cooler Organization: Place branded beverages and beer in a dedicated Super Bowl cooler section for easy grab-and-go.
5. Prominent Freezer Placement:
6. Impulse Stations: Position snacks like Cheetos Pizza Puffs and Post Malone Oreos near the register for last-minute purchases.

Leverage Technology

During high-demand events like the Super Bowl, using the right tools can help you stay ahead of customer needs while boosting your bottom line. Here’s how to leverage technology effectively:

Back Office Efficiency with mercury|One

A reliable back-office system like mercury|One is essential for optimizing operations and staying ahead during the Super Bowl rush.

• Centralized Reporting: Analyze sales trends and product performance across locations, helping you identify high-demand items like chips, beverages, and frozen foods.
• Promotions and Pricing Management: Seamlessly create and deploy Super Bowl promotions across all store locations to drive consistency and maximize sales opportunities.

In-Store Promotions with MostEdge TV

Boost impulse purchases and customer engagement with dynamic in-store signage using MostEdge TV.

• Highlight Game-Day Favorites: Showcase deals on snacks, beverages and limited-edition Super Bowl products to capture attention at the point of sale.
• Real-Time Updates: Update content quickly to reflect inventory changes, last-minute promotions, or trending items, keeping your messaging relevant and engaging.
• Cross-Selling Opportunities: Promote complementary items like pairing frozen wings with dipping sauces or chips with beer to encourage larger purchases.

Enhancing Customer Engagement with trunow or Loyalty 360

Super Bowl season is the perfect time to drive customer loyalty and repeat visits by leveraging platforms like trunow or Loyalty 360.

• Reward Game-Day Purchases: Offer bonus points for popular Super Bowl items, such as limited-edition snacks or beer, encouraging customers to choose your store.
• Personalized Offers: Send tailored promotions directly to your customers’ smartphones, highlighting bundles or exclusive discounts on party essentials.
• Fuel and In-Store Bundles: Drive foot traffic by offering fuel discounts tied to specific in-store purchases, such as “Save $0.10 per gallon when you buy 2 bags of chips.”

Final Thoughts

The Super Bowl presents a significant opportunity for convenience stores to boost sales by offering the right mix of products and promotions. By stocking limited-edition items, game-day essentials, and creating enticing deals, your store can become the go-to destination for customers preparing for the big game. Ensure your shelves are fully stocked, displays are eye-catching, and your promotions are clearly communicated to attract more customers.

Additionally, leveraging tools like mercury|One for operational efficiency, MostEdge TV for in-store promotions, and trunow or Loyalty 360 for customer engagement will help you seamlessly manage the increased demand during Super Bowl weekend. These technologies not only streamline your operations but also elevate the shopping experience, ensuring your store stands out as a preferred choice for game day-essentials. By combining smart stocking strategies with cutting-edge tools, you’ll be well-positioned for a winning Super Bowl sales season.