How To Merchandise Snacks and Drinks To Maximize C-Store Impulse Buys

Most convenience store purchases aren’t planned — they’re triggered in seconds. A well-placed snack, a chilled drink within reach, or a display that catches the eye can turn a routine stop into a higher-value sale. And those impulse add-ons often carry some of the store’s strongest margins.

Maximizing c-store impulse buys comes down to strategic placement, strong visibility, intuitive traffic flow, and point of sale (POS) insights that reveal what customers actually grab on instinct — not just what they say they want.

Busy store owners don’t have time for trial-and-error displays. You need merchandising tactics that boost snack and beverage sales while keeping operations simple.

Let’s explore what fuels spur-of-the-moment purchases — and how POS data helps you turn split-second decisions into steady revenue.

Start With POS Data

Before moving shelves or redesigning displays, start with what your store is already telling you. POS reports provide real-time insights into customer habits — revealing top product pairings, time-of-day beverage spikes, and which snacks convert fastest at checkout.

This kind of data shows that c-store shoppers naturally:

• Grab energy drinks with salty snacks during afternoon rushes.

• Pair candy with soda on late-night visits.

• Choose bottled water in warmer months and hot beverages when temperatures drop.

Insights like these help you merchandise based on actual buying behavior rather than assumptions. For example, if POS reports show customers frequently picking up jerky with sports drinks, placing those items together or creating a simple bundle can encourage easy add-on sales.

Drive Beverage Sales With Eye-Level Placement

Shelf positioning remains one of the strongest psychological drivers of impulse purchases. Research consistently shows that eye-level placement can increase sales by up to 23% because customers can see items more easily and make quicker decisions.

Convenience store shoppers are usually in a hurry. The easier it is to see and grab a drink, the more likely it is to end up in the basket.

To improve drink visibility:

• Place top-selling drinks at eye level to capture attention immediately.

• Position premium beverages slightly above eye level to reinforce perceived value.

• Keep budget options lower where price-conscious shoppers naturally look.

• Refresh cooler facings regularly so popular products always appear stocked and appealing.

After making these adjustments, review POS sales data weekly. Even small placement changes can help maximize c-store impulse buys surprisingly quickly.

Convert Browsers Into Buyers With Checkout Zones

The checkout counter is one of the biggest hotspots for impulse purchases, with roughly 87% of shoppers picking up an extra item while waiting to pay. Once customers are in line, they’ve already committed to buying — adding a snack or drink usually feels easy and natural.

This area shouldn’t look cluttered or random. Instead, use it to highlight items that are quick to grab and proven to sell well.

To improve register-area conversions:

• Place single-serve snacks near payment terminals for easy access.

• Highlight limited-time flavors or seasonal drinks to create urgency.

• Rotate candy and snack selections weekly to keep displays fresh.

• Use clear bundle pricing signs to encourage simple add-on purchases.

After making changes, track attach rates in your POS system. If snack-and-drink combinations increase, your checkout merchandising is likely working.

Take Advantage of the Right-Hand Traffic Path

Industry studies suggest nearly 90% of shoppers turn right when entering a retail space. Because of this, the “right-hand racetrack” often becomes prime real estate for impulse items.

Ignoring traffic flow means missing opportunities to maximize c-store impulse buys without adding new inventory. Many successful stores place cooler doors just to the right of the entrance so customers notice beverages before they reach the aisles.

To make traffic flow work for you:

• Place grab-and-go drinks along the right entry path to catch attention early.

• Position complementary snacks nearby to encourage quick pairing decisions.

• Keep aisle sightlines clear so displays stay visible from the entrance.

• Refresh signage regularly to maintain interest and visibility.

POS reports — including basket analysis and time-of-day sales tracking — can show which layout changes increase add-on purchases and which products sell best at different times of day.

Create Easy Add-On Sales With Cross-Merchandising

Bundling snacks and drinks taps into natural impulse buying behavior. Customers often don’t think about pairing items until they see them displayed together. Strategic cross-merchandising helps maximize c-store impulse buys, especially during busy periods.

To build effective cross-merch displays:

• Pair chips with sodas or energy drinks where customers already browse.

• Bundle bottled water with protein snacks for health-conscious shoppers.

• Place coffee add-ons near hot beverage stations for quick upgrades.

• Highlight combo pricing clearly to encourage simple add-on purchases.

Before setting bundles, review POS transaction data to identify products customers already buy together. Then monitor performance weekly to spot changes — such as a trending drink slowing down or a new snack gaining popularity.

POS reports show whether bundled sales are increasing or staying flat.

Rotate Endcaps Weekly To Maintain Momentum

Endcaps are valuable merchandising space, but displays can lose impact if they stay the same for too long. Rotating products regularly helps customers notice new options and keeps the area feeling fresh.

Regular updates help maximize c-store impulse buys by introducing variety — one of the strongest drivers of spontaneous purchases.

To optimize endcap performance:

• Feature high-margin snacks prominently during peak traffic periods.

• Highlight trending products identified through POS data.

• Introduce seasonal or limited-time products to spark curiosity.

• Use bold pricing signage strategically to encourage quick decisions.

After rotating displays, compare weekly sales reports to measure impact. Regular endcap updates can help maintain steady impulse sales over time.

Why POS Integration Makes Merchandising Easier

Modern c-store POS systems do more than process transactions. They provide real-time insights into what’s actually selling — including top-performing items by time of day, common product pairings, seasonal buying patterns, and how quickly inventory moves based on display placement.

That level of visibility makes it easier to adjust placement and promotions based on current sales data rather than guesswork or outdated merchandising practices.

POS-driven merchandising helps c-store owners:

• Adjust displays quickly based on sales activity.

• Reduce slow-moving inventory before it ties up cash.

• Increase visibility of higher-margin products where they sell best.

• Improve customer flow to guide shoppers past key categories.

Simply put, data-backed merchandising helps turn shelf space into stronger revenue.

Maximize C-Store Impulse Buys With POS Nation

Impulse purchases play a major role in the profitability of convenience stores. Strategic product placement, data-informed decisions, and consistent display updates all help increase snack and beverage sales.

To maximize c-store impulse buys, clear POS insights are essential. They help guide merchandising decisions and ensure every square foot of your store works more productively.

POS Nation provides retail technology for convenience stores, offering the reporting tools and support owners need to refine layouts and optimize product placement. With our partner software, C-Store POS, you can track basket data, monitor time-of-day trends, and identify high-performing SKUs that deserve prime shelf space.

Ready to sharpen your merchandising strategy? Schedule a demo today to see how C-Store POS helps turn everyday transaction data into smarter display decisions and stronger in-store sales.