Category Trends

  • Exterior of a grocery store.
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    Courtesy of Whole Foods Market
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    Amazon pilots small-format grocery concept

    The test store in Chicago is meant for quick fill-in grocery runs and aims to reduce the number of stops shoppers need to complete a shopping trip.

    By Peyton Bigora • Oct. 18, 2024
  • A photo of Elf on a Shelf-themed holiday novelty candy.
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    Courtesy of CandyRific
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    4 tips to help c-stores grow holiday candy sales

    Convenience retailers typically cede ground in the key category as the end of the year nears. But they’re missing out on clear opportunities, experts say.

    By • Oct. 16, 2024
  • Amazon Go
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    Retrieved from Amazon press page.
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    3 Amazon Go stores close

    The locations, which are all in New York, shuttered because the company “couldn’t make the economics work with the lease cost,” a spokesperson said.

    By • Oct. 9, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store. Signs on the fuel canopy and store say Parker's Kitchen.
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    Courtesy of Parker's Kitchen
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    Parker’s opens its largest store to date

    The 7,122-square-foot prototype will have expanded restroom, retail, food and checkout areas.

    By • Oct. 7, 2024
  • A close up of a person holding a phone featuring rewards points and the ability to redeem them.
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    Debalina Ghosh via Getty Images
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    C-store discounts resonate with loyalty members, fall flat with non-members, report shows

    The American Customer Satisfaction Index shows a significant gap between the two consumer groups’ view of sales and promotion frequency.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024
  • A photo of food items in a warming case in either wrappers or boxes. The boxes read "Hatch chicken."
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    Permission granted by Rebel
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    Rebel introduces Hatch Chicken QSR

    The proprietary eatery features a variety of chicken and sides and is expected to expand to 20 additional stores next year.

    By • Oct. 2, 2024
  • A photo of a Kwik Trip c-store.
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    Permission granted by Kwik Trip
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    Kwik Trip launches EV charging program

    The retailer’s branded initiative, Kwik Charge, will bring direct current fast chargers to many stores and develop a new app to support them.

    By • Oct. 2, 2024
  • NACS Show
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    Brett Dworski/C-Store Dive
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    Top convenience store conferences for 2025

    As convenience retail leaders begin to fill out their calendars for next year, here are some major events to keep in mind.

    By C-Store Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024
  • Couche-Tard
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    Retrieved from Couche-Tard.
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    The c-store value deals keep on rolling

    Circle K and EG America are the latest players to launch $5 meals amid what's become a booming trend this year to compete with QSRs.

    By • Sept. 27, 2024
  • A photo of coffee machines inside a store.
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    Permission granted by Frank Beard
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    Column

    The Road Ahead: As the industry consolidates, small players have a big opportunity

    While large companies use acquisitions to accomplish greater scale, smaller retailers retain the agility and community knowledge to build a strong niche, writes Frank Beard.

    By Frank Beard • Sept. 25, 2024
  • 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