Category Trends

  • A photo of the exterior of a Rutter's beer cave.
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Column

    3 big numbers: New c-store challengers and billions in beer

    Legacy Markets burst onto the scene with big plans, Shelee’s built its first store and booze is still big business for c-stores.

    By , • Sept. 20, 2024
  • Line of canned goods at grocery store
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    Peyton Bigora/C-Store Dive
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    Inside the Store: Whole Foods’ Daily Shop makes the most of a tight space

    The new small-format market, which opened its doors to New York City's Upper East Side on Wednesday, caters to convenience.

    By Peyton Bigora • Sept. 19, 2024
  • molson coors naked life
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    Courtesy of Molson Coors
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    Molson Coors bets on booze-free ‘mocktails’ with Australian brand

    The partnership with Naked Life, which makes “better-for-you” canned nonalcoholic beverages, is expected to bring the new line to the U.S. in March.

    By Chris Casey • Sept. 18, 2024
  • A photo of a hand holding a plastic cup with a mixing machine in the background. The cup says "f'real choco choco chip oat shake."
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    Courtesy of Rich Products Corporation
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    F’real to debut plant-based shake

    The new Choco Choco Chip flavor, which uses oat milk, will be available starting Sept. 30 at c-stores, including Kwik Trip and Weigel’s.

    By • Sept. 17, 2024
  • Cans of Michelob Ultra rest in a branded metal bucket atop a circular wooden table. A person in a USA soccer crewneck takes a bottle from the bucket.
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    Courtesy of Anheuser-Busch InBev
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    4 c-store beer trends for the cooler

    Overall beer sales remain pressured, but retailers can find growth in smaller corners of the category, like low-alcohol or local options, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • Sept. 16, 2024
  • A photo of a person holding a blanket and a seat cushion and getting into a vehicle.
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    Courtesy of Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
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    Love’s debuts new private label merchandise line

    The gear features a mix of road trip and comfort essentials like neck pillows and blankets.

    By • Sept. 12, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store. The fuel canopy is red and reads "Adventure's first stop" and "Maverik" while signs on the gas pumps and stores say "Maverik."
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    Courtesy of Maverik
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    Maverik breaks ground in Kansas

    The retailer announced that its first two stores in the state — one of which will cater to professional drivers — are slated to open in mid-2025.

    By • Sept. 11, 2024
  • A package of Hershey's new Ice Breakers Flavor Shifters gum.
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    Permission granted by Hershey
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    Deep Dive

    Gum manufacturers turn to innovation to keep sales from popping

    Hershey, Mars Wrigley and other companies are using unique flavors, ingredients and formats to boost consumption. 

    By Christopher Doering • Sept. 6, 2024
  • A posted sign warns that security cameras are in use.
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    andipantz via Getty Images
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    How c-stores can keep loiterers from becoming a long-term problem

    Companies are using everything from audio signals to in-ground domes in an effort to keep people from lingering around their stores. Which solutions are both humane and effective?

    By Amanda Baltazar • Sept. 5, 2024
  • Loop Neighborhood Market
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    Retrieved from Loop Neighborhood Market.
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    Loop Neighborhood Market debuts private label snack and candy line

    The assortment features 16 items, ranging from several variations of gummies to spicy peanuts.

    By • Sept. 5, 2024
  • An image of a factory, processing hockey puck sized canisters that read "Zyn chill."
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    Courtesy of Philip Morris International
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    Phillip Morris investing $232M in nicotine pouches

    The tobacco company is boosting production of its Zyn brand pouches as the product’s popularity surges despite supply shortages.

    By • Aug. 29, 2024
  • Lay's potato chips made by PepsiCo.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    4 growing trends in salty snacks

    Private label and value deals are big business, while sweet and spicy flavors are taking over, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • Aug. 26, 2024
  • A photo of a number of people standing begind a patch of bare earth with shovels stuck in it in an open field. There is construction equipment behind them. A sign on an easel next to them shows several small pictures of a retail locations. Text in the center fo the sign says "Wally's."
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    Permission granted by Wally's
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    Wally’s breaks ground in Indiana

    The 53,000-square-foot store, about 21 miles from downtown Indianapolis, is expected to be the company’s largest to date.

    By • Aug. 26, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store. The canopy, the gas pumps and a sign on the store all say "Rutter's."
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Q&A

    How Rutter’s keeps innovating its menu

    Philip Santini, senior director of advertising and food service, breaks down how the retailer keeps its offerings exciting and ways it pushes boundaries.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024
  • high noon
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    Courtesy of High Noon Spirits Company
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    Deep Dive

    Hard seltzer started a new category, but will canned cocktails sustain momentum long term?

    The push for premium RTD beverages is relying on real spirits and unique flavors to keep the ball rolling.

    By Chris Casey • Aug. 19, 2024
  • Coca-Cola and Oreo join to create a limited-edition cookie and beverage that include each brand.
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    Courtesy of Mondelez International, Coca-Cola
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    Oreo, Coca-Cola partner to create drink and cookie combining the iconic brands

    The limited-time offerings will be available in grocery and convenience stores in the U.S. and other select markets around the world starting in September.

    By Christopher Doering • Aug. 16, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a Buc-ee's location.
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    Courtesy of Buc-ee's
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    7 c-store chains building in new states

    While M&A often gets the big headlines, chains like Wawa and QuikTrip are making piecemeal moves to expand their empires.

    By • Aug. 15, 2024
  • A photo of a tanker truck in a parking lot. The side of the truck says "&Fleet Diesel Network," "7-Eleven," "Speedway" and "Stripes."
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven Inc.
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    7-Eleven, Sheetz adding travel centers

    The two retailers announced plans to augment many stores with diesel, truck parking and other amenities.

    By • Aug. 9, 2024
  • Woman looking at her mobile phone while shopping at the supermarket.
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    FreshSplash via Getty Images
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    How to win over customers in inflationary times. Hint: It’s not just about price.

    Quality and other considerations are in play as shoppers mull whether or not to spend their money on discretionary items.

    By Daphne Howland • Aug. 9, 2024
  • A photo of a number of cans of energy drink against a white background. The cans all say Fusion.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven Inc.
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    7-Eleven adds private label energy, hydration drinks

    Fusion Energy and Rehydrate are the latest in the chain’s extensive line of store-brand goods.

    By • Aug. 8, 2024
  • An image of serveral food items from Taco Bell's Craving's Value Menu
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    C-stores are taking aim at QSRs in the value war. Will it pay off?

    Continuing to offer affordable, strategic deals will help, but retailers need to watch out for restaurants encroaching on snacking.

    By Christine Blank • Aug. 8, 2024
  • QuikTrip
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    Permission granted by QuikTrip
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    QuikTrip expansion now includes Indiana

    So far this year, the convenience retailer has announced openings in two states and put two more states on its roadmap.

    By • Aug. 7, 2024
  • Jacksons
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    Retrieved from Jacksons website.
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    Jacksons revamps rewards program

    The retailer’s updated Let’s Go Rewards is part of a larger overhaul of its digital ecosystem, including apps and web integrations.

    By • Aug. 6, 2024
  • Albertsons store
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    Courtesy of Albertsons
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    Albertsons and Instacart build virtual c-store

    In addition to Albertsons Rapid, which offers delivery in as little as 30 minutes, the companies are also rolling out nationwide pickup for the grocer’s banners.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Aug. 2, 2024
  • A photo of the interior of a Kent Kwik convenience store.
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    Courtesy of Kent Kwik
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    Kent Kwik expands private label line

    Six additions to the convenience retailer’s self-branded roster highlight the industry’s growing relationship with proprietary products.

    By • July 31, 2024