Operations

Love’s, Pilot temporarily close stores in Florida amid Hurricane Ian’s carnage

The c-store chains still have a combined nine stores closed to protect their staff and customers in the wake of the storm.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 30, 2022

EG Group converts first Tom Thumb stores to Cumberland Farms brand

EG Group announced the rebrand project in February, saying it will span two years and include 113 stores.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 30, 2022

Couche-Tard and Fire & Flower open third cannabis store adjacent to Circle K

The companies plan to have 10 cannabis stores operating adjacent to Circle K locations within the next year.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 30, 2022

Retail food distributor opens c-store with Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology

Grab & Fly is the latest airport c-store to use Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, following a Hudson Nonstop store at Chicago Midway International Airport that debuted last summer.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 29, 2022

6 c-stores pushing into new markets

Convenience chains are always looking to expand, but this summer saw a flurry of activity from companies like Wawa and Buc-ee’s that are aiming to reach new customers.

By Jeff Wells • Sept. 29, 2022

Retail cooperative launches new c-store concept

Developed by the Greater Houston Retailers Cooperative Association, Kudos will focus on social impact, customer experience and foodservice.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 28, 2022

Inside the Store: Circle K’s new urban storefront in downtown Chicago

The small-format c-store is half the size of the chain’s legacy locations, and features grab-and-go foods, private label selections and frictionless checkout.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 27, 2022

Kwik Trip taps space planning and supply chain management vendor

Kwik Trip will use Relex Solutions’ in-store mobile solution to give staff a greater view of store-level order proposals, planograms and floor plans.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 26, 2022

4 ways c-stores can lure customers to the pump amid high gas prices

With consumers spending less time and money filling up on gas, retailers need to strategize new tactics to get them to the pump.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 26, 2022

For c-stores, convenience is no longer the only priority, report says

Retailers can benefit from offering a wider variety of foodservice options and focusing more on loyalty, Intouch Insight's CEO says.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 23, 2022

Alltown Fresh parent acquires 15 c-stores from Tidewater Convenience

Global Partner’s third deal of the year grows its footprint in Virginia, a market it first entered in February with its purchase of locations from Miller’s Neighborhood Market.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 22, 2022

Casey’s takes supplier management digital with new procurement tool

Graphite Connect, which manages supplier data and risk, relieves the convenience store operator of manually tracking information.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 22, 2022

QuikTrip is coming to Chicago as battle for Windy City market share heats up

The convenience store chain’s expansion plans come just one month after Circle K announced its push into the area long dominated by 7-Eleven.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 22, 2022

What gas and convenience brands can learn from restaurant innovations

Judy Chan, chief marketing officer at Bluedot, says c-stores could improve their strategy by focusing on contactless payments, mobile ordering and pickup, analytics and loyalty programs. 

By Judy Chan • Sept. 21, 2022

Gas stations without gas are coming — and they’re all about the food

Fuel-less, food-focused c-stores have opened up for the past several years. Here’s a look at what’s behind the trend and how retailers can get in on it.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 20, 2022

House bill aims to mitigate credit card swipe fees

If approved, the Credit Card Competition Act could be a relief for c-store retailers, who report swipe fees can exceed their pre-tax profits and be their second-highest operating costs after labor.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 20, 2022

Arko CEO discusses M&A strategy, labor and supply chain challenges

Arko’s c-store arm, GPM Investments, has become one of the largest U.S. chains since 2013. Arie Kotler offers insight into how they’ve grown and where they’re headed.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 19, 2022

Kwik Trip debuts first store in Michigan with another to open this year

The expansion puts the convenience store on the map in five states as it looks to grow its footprint further north. 

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 16, 2022

Maverik prioritizing waste management as high food prices continue

The c-store chain is working alongside Feeding America to expand its program to additional stores and more food banks. 

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 16, 2022

Wael Sawan to become CEO of Shell in 2023

Sawan, currently the company’s renewables leader, will take over as Shell aims to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 15, 2022

Amazon Go opens first location in Southern California, with another on the way

The 4,100 square-foot c-store in Whittier, California, is Amazon Go’s second store that follows its new suburban format.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 14, 2022

Royal Farms expanding to Michigan, its first location outside the East Coast

The c-store chain will have a store inside a 2-million-square-foot trade center being built in Romulus, a suburb about 20 miles West of Detroit.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 14, 2022

Wawa begins construction on first Alabama location

The company’s first site in Fairhope, Alabama is slated to open in 2024 — and so are a heap of other new-to-market stores around the country.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 13, 2022

GPM Investments to acquire 350 wholesale and retail sites from Transit Energy Group

The deal, which includes 150 company-operated c-stores, expands GPM parent company ARKO’s strategic focus on growth and long-term stockholder value.

By Brett Dworski • Sept. 12, 2022

Kum & Go bringing frictionless fleet pay to the pump

Vehicle-based payment technology from Car IQ will provide additional data for the c-store operator and could eventually cover in-store payments, as well, said the tech firm’s CEO.

By Brett Dworski , Jeff Wells • Sept. 9, 2022