Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

C-stores can boost beer sales by understanding customers' ‘beersonas’

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) analysis shows how convenience stores can best cater for Early Bird beer buyers.

Carlsberg Zero

Shopping for beer between Monday and Wednesday is far more common than many might expect, with almost one third of beer shoppers making their purchases on these days of the week, reveals new data published by Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC).

CMBC is sharing its new ‘Beersonas’ – its take on beer consumer profiles – which have been designed to help convenience store owners understand more about their beer shoppers and cater more effectively to their needs.


The brewer has revealed that while shopping for beer at the weekend or ahead of a major sporting event remains popular, the ‘Early Bird’ shopper category is actually the most common, representing 29.3 per cent of all UK households.

CMBC’s insights teams’ analysis of recent shopping data identified the following key ‘beersona’ profiles that purchase from convenience stores:

  1. Early Birds, representing 29.3 per cent of shoppers. They tend to buy beer earlier in the week, often purchasing ale alongside other grocery staples such as tea bags, canned vegetables and salad. With a higher disposable income, these shoppers also have more free time and can afford to shop around, buying in smaller amounts but more frequently throughout the week, rather than in one big shopping trip.
  1. Rush Hour Regulars, 16.2 per cent of shoppers. They are usually on a ‘meal for tonight’ mission, using convenience stores between 4pm-6pm ahead of dinnertime – this means they will be on the lookout for chilled beer. They are impulsive and can be persuaded to trade up to a new or premium product, favouring lager over ale.
  1. Weekend Welcomers, 25.7 per cent of shoppers. While all beer sales see a spike at the weekend, older adults with families over-index at this time of the week. Weekend Welcomers are often time-poor, and don’t tend to browse for long. They can be impulsive depending on the weather and if there is an occasion coming along. They may be more likely to look at the Low & No alcohol range available, due to having busy family commitments or needing to drive. Having mid packs around the store and chilling beer where possible will help cater to these shoppers’ needs.
  1. One Quick Thing, 28.8 per cent of shoppers. These are ‘top-up’ shoppers and may not initially be looking for beer. However, they can be persuaded to add it to their baskets via strategic fixture placement that draw attention to great products and promotions. They are deal-savvy and time-poor so will be interested in chilled products and will respond to clear messaging about the best deals.

Howard Dix, Business Unit Director for Impulse at CMBC, said, “Whilst the peak time of the week for beer purchases remains Friday and Saturday evenings, there is an opportunity at the start of the week to appeal to a different demographic.

“Retailers might be surprised to know that older shoppers who tend to shop for beer earlier in the week are actually one of the largest groups of available shoppers. I'd encourage convenience store owners to think about whether there are particular promotions they could run from Monday to Wednesday to cater to this group. Our Early Birds tend to like more traditional beers such as ale and standard lager, so focusing on these products will maximise sales for the full week.”

CMBC currently offers a range of products and pack sizes to cater to all these customer groups, including Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664 Bière and Hobgoblin ale with 440ml and 568ml cans proving most popular among convenience store shoppers.

More for you

Retail Insolvency

Retail insolvencies flat though 'wave of distress' expected

Retail insolvencies remained flat in the lead up to the Budget, shows a recent report, though experts feel that a wave of distress is expected following the Chancellor’s increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions and National Minimum Wage.

Today’s company insolvency statistics show retail trade insolvencies fell slightly from 2,101 in the 12 months to September 2023, to 2,089 in the 12 months to September 2024, and were flat month-on-month (137 in August 2024 to 138 in September 2024).

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacardi Cocktail

Brits ditch tea for G&T

Nearly half of Brits (44%) say they would prefer a G&T to a cup of tea when getting together with friends, according to a new survey by spirits major Bacardi Limited.

The UK consumer survey was conducted as part of the sixth annual Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report which anticipates the key trends redefining global cocktail culture and the spirits business in 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
iStock 915777580
istock image
istock image

Christmas 2024 to be 'subdued affair for grocers'

In-store food sales will see muted year-on-year growth over the festive period, states a new report, claiming that this year, Christmas is set to be a subdued affair for grocers as inflation continues to bite.

According to UK Christmas Grocery Forecast released by consulting firm AlixPartners, in-store sales this Christmas are expected to increase by 2.5 per cent in value terms. However, when adjusted for inflation, this figure becomes a 0.7 per cent decrease.

Keep ReadingShow less
food supply

Ministers prepare contingency plans as farmers threaten food supply over Inheritance Tax

Farmers have warned they have "nothing to lose", campaigners have warned, amid fears grow that parts of the farming industry may disrupt food supplies in protest against the Government's inheritance tax policy while ministers are reportedly preparing contingency plans to ensure stores shelves remain stocked.

Industry officials are closely monitoring the escalating tensions and are expected to meet with government representatives this week to assess the potential impact of any action, The Telegraph reported on Sunday (17). This comes ahead of a planned rally on Tuesday (19), where as many as 20,000 farmers are set to converge outside Parliament to protest a 20 per cent tax on inherited agricultural land valued at over £1 million.

Keep ReadingShow less
festive season
Representative iStock image
Getty Images/iStockphoto

'Tricky' season ahead as shoppers' preferences shift


According to a new Accenture research, price remains a significant factor in spending decisions this festive season, with nearly two-thirds of Brits (62 per cent) maintaining or reducing their budget compared to last year,

Keep ReadingShow less