Category Trends


  • extramile
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    Retrieved from King Retail Solutions.
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    ExtraMile joins growing list of c-store retailers debuting alcohol rebates

    Value offers have become increasingly common in convenience stores in recent years as operators large and small have seen their profits dip.

    By Jan. 23, 2026
  • An image of various cold beverages from Taco Bell.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Deep Dive

    Drink up: Restaurants will spend more on beverage innovation in 2026

    Mocktails, energy drinks and premium caffeine options are set to sweep through menus this year. 

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 23, 2026
  • A photo of the fuel canopy at a gas station. A logo on the canopy shows a beaver wearing red clothing inside a yellow circle.
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    Jessica Loder/C-Store Dive
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    Buc-ee’s next stop? Nebraska.

    The supersized c-store chain is looking to build its first location in the state as it continues its growth across the continental U.S.

    By Jan. 22, 2026
  • Parker's
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    Retrieved from Parker's.
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    Parker’s becomes the latest c-store to up its beverage game

    A new location in Georgia is the first to offer the retailer’s made-to-order beverage program, and marks the debut of its larger PK2 store prototype. 

    By Jan. 20, 2026
  • A photo of rows of canned beverages in a cold case inside a store. The logo on the cans shows a turtle in white and says Varin
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    Retrieved from Varin on January 14, 2026
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    Circle K franchisee ups cannabinoid focus with new THC drink partnership

    Despite an uncertain regulatory environment around the beverages, DFW Oil & Energy has now added Varin to its product lineup in Texas.

    By Jan. 15, 2026
  • Cans in Celsius Holdings' portfolio.
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    Courtesy of Celsius Holdings
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    Energy drinks’ fortunes are still rising. Here’s how to ride the wave.

    While the category is gaining market share with fresh flavors and ideas, competition from other beverages is cutting into sales.

    By Christine Blank • Jan. 14, 2026
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store. The sign above the door says ExtraMile.
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    Permission granted by Chevron
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    Moore Oil converting 20 sites to ExtraMile

    This is a significant expansion for the Chevron and Jacksons Food Stores joint venture in Birmingham, Alabama, where it only has one location.

    By Jan. 14, 2026
  • An image showing 3 screenshots from a mobile app side by side. One starts with "Empty, meet full. $8 lunch and dinner deals," another says "Rewards" and has boxes showing points earned, gallons of fuel bought and ways to earn more points. The final one shows a map of Atlanta.
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    Courtesy of Pilot
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    Pilot redesigns app

    The update aims to make the mobile interface easier for users to navigate and switch between personal and professional accounts.

    By Jan. 13, 2026
  • A Cumberland Farms store in Colorado
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    Courtesy of EG Group
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    8 c-store companies we’re watching in 2026

    From upcoming IPOs to ambitious expansion plans, 7-Eleven, EG America, Anabi Oil and others are poised to make big moves this year.

    By Jan. 12, 2026
  • racetrac
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by RaceTrac
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    How RaceTrac is gearing up for more growth

    Over the past year, the retailer has been improving its technology, building its supply chain and making acquisitions as it continues expanding.

    By Jan. 12, 2026
  • A photo of people sitting at a bar watching a UFC fight on TVs behind the bar. A sign near the left side of the picture says "Rutter's. Made for you."
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Deep Dive

    8 trends that will define convenience retailing in 2026

    Operators will once again endure tough economic conditions while continuing to stretch the boundaries of what’s possible in c-stores.

    By , Jan. 6, 2026
  • GetGo
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    Retrieved from GetGo.
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    6 burning questions for the c-store industry in 2026

    As the new year gets underway, several key storylines that impact retailers remain unresolved. Here are the ones we’re thinking about.

    By , Jan. 5, 2026
  • A photo of a container of nicotine pouches. The container says "On! Plus. Flex tech. Mint. Strong. Slim nicotine pouches."
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    Retrieved from Snus Direct on December 22, 2025
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    FDA authorizes 6 more nicotine pouches

    Granting marketing approval of several varieties of Altria’s On! Plus products is the first decision the agency has made using a new pilot program to boost review efficiency.

    By Dec. 22, 2025
  • Love's
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    Retrieved from Love's.
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: C-stores and QSRs are better together

    While proprietary foodservice launches have garnered a lot of attention, c-stores are still expanding their partnerships and getting creative with QSRs.

    By Dec. 19, 2025
  • Couche-Tard
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    Retrieved from Couche-Tard.
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    How accurate were our 2025 c-store predictions? Here are our honest grades.

    We expected new technology, loyalty strategies and an incoming presidential administration to make waves in the industry. While our overall grades were good, a few estimations were off base.

    By Dec. 17, 2025
  • A photo of the interior of a convenience store. A sign on the wall says Green Valley Grocery
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    Permission granted by Anabi Oil
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Consumer spending shifts

    A good rewards program and store experience are increasingly not enough to attract and retain shoppers, according to an Upside report.

    By Dec. 12, 2025
  • A photo of the exterior of a store in Japan. A sign above the storesays 7-Eleven.
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    Permission granted by Frank Beard
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    Column

    The Road Ahead: What if c-stores don’t need to become QSRs?

    The success of Japan’s convenience stores demonstrates the opportunity in selling food designed for everyday living, not just indulgent moments.

    By Frank Beard • Dec. 11, 2025
  • Beatbox cartons are lined up in front of a colorful sign displaying the Beatbox logo.
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    Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for The Global Gaming League via Getty Images
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    Anheuser-Busch acquires majority stake in BeatBox for $490M

    The deal for the party punch maker, which is popular among young drinkers for its high alcohol content, gives the beer giant a path to complete ownership.

    By Laurel Deppen , Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 9, 2025
  • A photo of the exterior of a building adjacent to gas pumps. A Sign over the door says Mooyah Burgers, Fries, Shakes
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    Permission granted by Mooyah
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    Texas-based burger chain opens first c-store-adjacent site

    Mooyah expects its Michigan location to be the first of many to run alongside gas stations.

    By Dec. 5, 2025
  • Boxes of the diabetes drug Ozempic rest on a pharmacy counter on April 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    GLP-1 users to make up 35% of food and beverage sales by 2030: report

    As more consumers take weight loss medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, companies will need to act fast if they want to adapt, according to Circana.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 5, 2025
  • A photo of the exterior of a RaceTrac site.
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    Courtesy of Disruptive Technologies
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Retailers testing new waters

    We look at a Tennessee company taking on a new identity, RaceTrac’s latest expansion and 7-Eleven’s newest and most wanted sandwich.

    By Dec. 5, 2025
  • A photo of the interior of a convenience store, designed with a blue and green color scheme. Signs say PM, Coffee & soda, and Papa Sal's.
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    Retrieved from pwrmarket.com.

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    C-stores share top tactics to cut costs, increase profits

    Making better use of data can cut waste while foodservice is a key driver of growth for many retailers, according to a survey from Dover Fueling Solutions and NACS.

    By Dec. 4, 2025
  • TravelCenters of America adds new cardless payment

    Fleets can use Relay Payments’ digital platform to buy fuel, diesel exhaust fluid and in-store items.

    By Dec. 3, 2025
  • A photo of crinkle fries in a box that says Sonic and two burgers next to each other in front of a blue backdrop.
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    Permission granted by Sonic Drive-In
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    Value, comfort will define 2026 menu trends

    Operators looking to take advantage of buzzy food items, like protein add-ons or smash burgers, will have to balance operational complexity with demand, says the National Restaurant Association.

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2025
  • Kwik Trip
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    Retrieved from Kwik Trip website.
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    Kwik Trip debuts in North Dakota

    A Kwik Star in Fargo is the first of at least five locations planned for the state through the end of 2026.

    By Nov. 24, 2025