Category Trends: Page 4

  • A photo showing the exterior of a convenience store. The fuel canopies, gs pumps and a sign on the store all say "The Store."
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    Permission granted by The Store
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    Reliance Fuel enters Wisconsin by acquiring The Store

    The Pennsylvania retailer bought the sites in December and plans to rebrand all locations to Fuel On.

    By • Jan. 2, 2025
  • close up of a worker holding up a tablet
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    Dragos Condrea via Getty Images
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    Employers with strong employee value proposition innovate better, McLean says

    Having a strong EVP can boost results in an increasingly competitive labor landscape, the firm said in a new report.

    By Carolyn Crist • Jan. 2, 2025
  • 7-Eleven
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: The figures that stood out in 2024

    We close out this year with a closer look at three massive stories — 7-Eleven’s store closings, Buc-ee’s continuing expansion and Couche-Tard’s purchase of GetGo.

    By • Dec. 20, 2024
  • A screenshot of a delivery ordering interface. The name at the top of the page is Rebel DElivery. A sign below that reads Alcohol delivery now available within city limits."
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    Screenshot from rebelstores.com/delivery.

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    Rebel adds alcohol delivery

    The convenience retailer has added the option to four stores in Las Vegas, with nine more coming online soon.

    By • Dec. 20, 2024
  • A rendering of the interior of a convenience store, showing the center of the store. signs hanging from the ceiling say Chilled, Fresh to Go, chilled to Go and Yatco.
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    Permission granted by Yatco
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    How well did we predict the c-store industry’s biggest trends in 2024? Here are our honest grades.

    Our forecast included growth in small-scale M&A, food and beverage innovation and loyalty efforts, as well as EV momentum slowing down. We were right about some, and wrong about others.

    By , • Dec. 19, 2024
  • mergers M&A acquisitions law legal
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    Bevan Goldswain via Getty Images
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    W. Capra adds M&A services

    The new offering will be led by Lisa Briggs, partner with the company and former president and CEO of Impact 21.

    By • Dec. 18, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from 7-Eleven.
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Food and the future

    7-Eleven, Arko and Applegreen all shared plans this year to build more dining-focused convenience stores.

    By • Dec. 6, 2024
  • Several herbs, seasonings and spices in bowls and piles, grouped together on an old wooden table.
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    fcafotodigital via Getty Images
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    5 foodservice trends c-stores should watch in 2025

    Customers are still guarding their wallets, but may be tempted by spicy offerings, Southeast Asian fare and a shift from chicken to eggs, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • Dec. 4, 2024
  • A photo of a hand holding a lit cigarette.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Value is vital for tobacco sales

    Consumers have not only been cutting back on tobacco purchases, but have also been turning to lower-priced options, recent data shows.

    By • Dec. 2, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a Rusty Lantern Market.
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    Permission granted by Paragon Solutions
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    How c-store designs have evolved in 2024

    From building larger stores and trying new looks to adding unusual amenities, retailers got creative with their formats this year.

    By • Nov. 27, 2024
  • A photo of camping gear on display at Wally's.
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    Courtesy of Wally's
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    5 ways c-stores can spice up their general merchandise section

    The keys are to make the products unmissable and ensure stores have the right mix of seasonal or impulse items and everyday needs, experts say.

    By Amanda Baltazar • Nov. 21, 2024
  • A cityscape of skyscrapers and commercial buildings around State Street Bridge in Chicago.
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    tunart via Getty Images
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    Shoplifting on the rise this year, report shows

    Two widely different sets of FBI data underscore the need for better information on theft, however, according to Council on Criminal Justice researchers. That includes better reporting from retailers.

    By Daphne Howland • Nov. 21, 2024
  • weigel's
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    Retrieved from Weigel's.
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    Weigel’s rolls out $6 menu

    Customers can choose from one of seven meal combos as the Tennessee retailer joins the move toward lower-priced food options.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • A photo of a prefabricated Wawa drive-thru being assembled on site.
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    Permission granted by MODLOGIQ
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    Why modular construction could be poised for a boom in c-stores

    While prefabricated stores may cost more up front, they can be built and opened quickly while dodging weather problems and tight labor markets, experts say.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • Packages of Sour Strips.
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    Courtesy of Hershey's
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    Hershey buys candy brand Sour Strips for undisclosed amount

    The Reese’s manufacturer said the purchase expands its sweets portfolio and increases its ability to reach new consumers across more snacking occasions.

    By Christopher Doering • Nov. 12, 2024
  • Casey's
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    Courtesy of Casey's
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: How Casey’s and other c-stores are expanding

    The Iowa retailer recently closed one big acquisition and Nouria just announced another. Meanwhile, Murphy USA grows organically.

    By • Nov. 8, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a Mapco store
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    Permission granted by Grabango
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    MAPCO adds senior discount to loyalty program

    While much of the c-store industry remains focused on Gen Z and younger consumers, MAPCO is reaching out to older shoppers.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Close-up of multiethnic group of corporate executives raising their glasses to toast their success at year-end.
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    xavierarnau via Getty Images
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    C-store holiday alcohol sales outlook merry

    Alcohol sales have been under pressure lately, but getting the right flavors — and the right boozy gifts — in front of customers can pay off, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Ampm store
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    Retrieved from BP press release.
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    BP thinks its new private label line is pretty Epic

    The company tested the line in March, then grew the number of items in the assortment by 50% last quarter, said Lisa Blalock, vice president of U.S. convenience and mobility for BP.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a Rusty Lantern Market.
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    Permission granted by Paragon Solutions
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    How to develop a new prototype

    Here are the questions to consider and steps to take when the same old store design doesn’t work anymore.

    By Danielle McLean • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a Maverik location.
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    Permission granted by Relay Payments
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Maverik’s rebranding and recent growth

    With news coming out this week that Kum & Go is going away in Oklahoma, we’re taking a look at Maverik’s growing footprint.

    By • Nov. 1, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from 7-Eleven.
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    7-Eleven taps Chobani veteran to lead private label development

    Varun Khanna’s hiring comes as the retailer looks to its proprietary brands and foodservice programs to boost its performance in North America.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • Cans of Ghost Energy drinks.
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    Retrieved from Ghost.
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    Keurig Dr Pepper to buy energy drink brand Ghost for more than $1B

    The acquisition expands the beverage giant’s presence in the fast-growing category and deepens a portfolio that includes water, soda, coffee and juice.

    By Christopher Doering • Oct. 28, 2024
  • Couche-Tard
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    Retrieved from Couche-Tard.
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    Couche-Tard names new global head of private label

    Amy Jenkins, who joins from home improvement retailer Lowe’s, takes over from Rodney Blanton, who left Circle K in June for Amazon Go.

    By • Oct. 25, 2024
  • Wawa
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    Jessica Loder/C-Store Dive
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Delving into Wawa’s growth

    As the East Coast retailer prepares for its first store in Georgia, we take a look at what the future holds and why customers should take notice.

    By • Oct. 25, 2024