Summer 2025 Top-Selling Convenience Trends on Third-Party Delivery Platforms

Summer heat always changes shopping behavior, and this year was no exception. We analyzed the 50 best-selling items across Lula-powered stores from June through August 2025, and the results show some clear patterns that convenience retailers can use to plan smarter assortments and promotions.

Big Picture Takeaways

• Beverages dominate: Nearly 7 out of 10 top items were drinks, reinforcing how heat drives hydration and refreshment demand.
• Snacks and spirits win together: Salty snacks and alcoholic beverages were the top food categories, showing strong synergy for summer social occasions.
• Premium products hold strong: Customers showed willingness to pay for quality, from multi-pack waters to bold-flavored snacks.

Category Performance Highlights

• Alcoholic Beverages accounted for one-third of both units and revenue. Mini bottles (50ml) proved especially popular for convenience-driven customers, while trendy ready-to-drink cocktails like BuzzBallz, BeatBox, and Monaco powered growth.
• Soft Drinks & Energy ranked second, led by Dr Pepper, Coca-Cola, and seasonal Red Bull flavors. Energy drinks and sports drinks saw strong performance tied to outdoor activity and travel.
• Salty Snacks were led by Takis and Chester’s hot fries—both spicy, bold flavors that align with summer’s “kick it up a notch” trend.

Brand Standouts

• Takis was the undisputed snack leader, moving thousands of units at a premium price point.
• BeatBox rode the wave of trendy, portable alcoholic drinks, appealing to younger demographics.
• Coca-Cola remained a summer staple across multiple package sizes.
• Gatorade kept its position as the go-to hydration brand for sports and outdoor activity.

Summer Flavor Effect

Shoppers leaned heavily into seasonal and fruit-forward flavors. Items labeled with berry, peach, lemonade, or watermelon themes made up more than 25% of the top-selling items sold. Red Bull’s Summer Edition White Peach was a breakout success, underscoring the power of limited-time offerings.

Price Point Dynamics

• Premium multi-packs (like Dasani 24-packs) commanded higher price points while still delivering strong sales.
• Everyday refreshment like Dr Pepper and Coke drove steady volume at the $3–$4 range.
• Premium snacks like Takis sustained momentum despite higher prices, proving customers are willing to pay for bold favorites.

What Merchants Can Do Next Summer

Here are five actionable ideas for your store based on this summer’s performance:

1. Run promotions on bottled water, sports drinks, and energy drinks as “hydration heroes.”
2. Cross-merchandise spicy snacks with ready-to-drink cocktails for weekend and holiday gatherings.
3. Highlight mini bottles and portable RTDs that customers can grab on the go.
4. Double down on bold-flavored snacks that pair well with hot weather and social occasions.
5. Position water and sports drinks front-and-center for travel, beach, and athletic shoppers.

Bottom line: Summer 2025 proved that convenience retail thrives when stores lean into heat-driven beverage demand, bold snacks, and fun, seasonal flavors. By planning ahead for these patterns, merchants can capture more summer spend without adding complexity.

With Lula Commerce, you don’t need a digital team to keep up with these shifts. We provide a fully managed digital ordering experience so you can outsource your digital strategy and watch the magic happen automatically. Talk to an e-commerce expert about getting started today!

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