Technology

  • self checkout
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    Permission granted by PDI
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    C-stores are going all-in on tech. How can they measure its ROI?

    Business outcomes like faster checkout or higher customer spending are more important than a new system’s capabilities alone, Vontier’s group president of convenience retail said.

    By • Nov. 4, 2026
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store.
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    Retrieved from Golden Gate Petroleum on November 03, 2026
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    Golden Gate Petroleum launches loyalty program, app

    Golden Gate Rewards includes fuel savings, points on purchases and a tiered Trucker Program for professional drivers.

    By • Nov. 4, 2026
  • A photo of the exterior of a Thorntons convenience store. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Permission granted by Thorntons
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive

    Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive 2023/2024

    By C-Store Dive staff
  • A screenshot of a person's hand wiping a toilet seat.
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    Retrieved from Washie on October 30, 2026
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    Idaho c-store chain takes aim at bathroom cleanliness

    Oasis Stop ‘N Go partnered with Washie to bring smart toilet seats to 17 stores across the state.

    By • Nov. 2, 2026
  • A photo of the inside of a store. Signs on the wall say "cold drinks" over a bank of coolers and "Restroom" over two doors in the back. Shelves of snacks are in the middle of the field.
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    Permission granted by Kayrouz Petroleum
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    KP Market unveils app ahead of loyalty push

    Following a soft launch in October, the app will roll out across the retailer’s stores this week, with a loyalty program expected to follow in 2027.

    By • Nov. 2, 2026
  • A photo of the exterior of a RaceTrac site.
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    Courtesy of Disruptive Technologies
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    RaceTrac adds retail media network

    Trac Media Group will integrate with the company’s 600-plus RaceTrac locations, with plans to eventually expand to RaceWay and Potbelly.

    By • Oct. 28, 2026
  • A photo of the exterior of a convenience store.
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    Retrieved from Mickey's on October 26, 2026
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    Mickey’s relaunches loyalty program

    The Ohio retailer transitioned to the Patron Points platform and has seen a 35% increase in loyalty sales since the switch.

    By • Oct. 27, 2026
  • A screenshot from InStore.ai's website showing the image of a laptop. The screen says "Ask anything. Get AI-generated answers based on your in-store interactions." and someone has typed in the search bar "what friction points to customers have when signing up or using loyalty?"
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    Retrieved from InStore.ai on October 19, 2026
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    C-stores tap conversational AI to boost store ops

    Ask InStore and Tote AI’s HQ Genie AI aim to help c-store retailers quickly access operational data and insights.

    By • Oct. 20, 2026
  • Maverik
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    Brett Dworski/C-Store Dive
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    Maverik partners with NIQ for customer insights

    The agreement will give the retailer’s suppliers a clearer look at its point of sale data and help identify growth opportunities amid changing consumer behaviors.

    By • Oct. 16, 2026
  • Jacksons
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    Retrieved from Jacksons website.
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    Jacksons Food Stores adds cardless fleet payments

    The system, developed by retail payment network Piston, lets commercial drivers authorize and pay for fuel through secure mobile authorization.

    By • Oct. 15, 2026
  • A photo of the exterior of a convenience store and gas station. A sign over the store door says ExtraMile.
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    Courtesy of Vroom Delivery
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    ExtraMile, Loop grow e-commerce programs

    As delivery becomes table stakes at c-stores, the two retailers tapped different tools from Vroom Delivery and Lula Commerce, respectively.

    By • Oct. 14, 2026
  • A Tesla Semi in a Megacharger stall with people nearby in high-visibility vests.
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    Courtesy of Pilot
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    Pilot opens first heavy-duty EV charging locations

    Megachargers in Ellabell, Georgia, and Tulare, California, are open now and can can deliver up to 1.2 megawatts of power to Tesla Semis.

    By David Taube • Oct. 13, 2026
  • A rendering of the exterior of a United Dairy Farmers urban commercial store.
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    Permission granted by United Dairy Farmers
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    UDF adds EV fast charging to 6 Ohio c-stores

    The chargers from Electric Era, an electric vehicle charging infrastructure company, will integrate with the retailer's loyalty prorgam.

    By • Oct. 7, 2026
  • A photo of a Mashgin self checkout machine inside a store.
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    Permission granted by Mashgin
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Making customers comfortable with c-store AI

    Many shoppers aren’t opposed to artificial intelligence in stores, but some applications may be off-putting, according to data from PAR Technology.  

    By • Oct. 2, 2026
  • lula commerce
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    Retrieved from Lula Commerce.
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    Lula launches loyalty integrations in its first-party ordering platform

    Lula Direct now integrates with major c-store loyalty and point-of-sale providers such as Paytronix, Velocity, Patron Points, PDI and PAR.

    By • Oct. 2, 2026
  • A picture of a gas pump with images of a soda, a snack and floating text in white boxes saying "1 Soda 2 Liter $5.39," "1 trail mix $2.2" and "pump 3 prepaid 8.750 gal $40.00" floating over the top.
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    Courtesy of Toast
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    Toast adds fuel payments to its retail platform

    Toast Fuel allows customers to run gas payments inside the store and at the pump alongside foodservice and general retail sales.

    By • Oct. 1, 2026
  • weigel's
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    Retrieved from Weigel's.
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    Weigel’s unifies its on-premise digital experience

    A partnership with Shep Digital Solutions connects the retailer’s forecourt, in store and point-of-sale screens under one platform.

    By • Sept. 23, 2026
  • A photo of someone using a Mashgin self-checkout machine.
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    Permission granted by Mashgin
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    NACS names first VP of technology

    Paul Ziv leads the tech strategy, enterprise modernization and the development of emerging digital capabilities across the association.

    By • Sept. 22, 2026
  • A photo of a fuel canopy. The canopy is green and has the words Kwik Fill, along with the company logo, in yellow and red.
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    Jessica Loder/C-Store Dive
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    United Refining builds new loyalty program for Kwik Fill c-stores

    The retailer is partnering with PAR Technology to launch a platform that connects customer engagement with enterprise-wide insights.

    By • Sept. 16, 2026
  • A Screenshot shows a digital storefront, with various goods for sale. A logo in the top left and top center says "Double Kwik" while photos show a variety of hot foods and snacks and beverages. A menu along the left shows the site's navigation, with options like top selling, favorites and quick meals.
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    Courtesy of Lula Commerce
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    Lula Commerce adds several new features

    Updates include server-side age verification, the ability to split payments across various methods and the ability to set fees by location.

    By • Sept. 14, 2026
  • A front-view shot of a mature caucasian woman standing in a supermarket, she is shopping for a healthy snack.
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    SolStock via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions

    How c-stores can future-proof their business with the right tech

    C-stores must invest in tech that delivers ROI, boosts efficiency, and scales for future growth.

    Sept. 14, 2026
  • Pilot ordering kiosk
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    Retrieved from Pilot.
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    Pilot upgrades QSR ordering tech

    The retailer said it wants to create a more connected experience spanning in-store ordering, mobile apps, loyalty programs and third-party delivery services.

    By • Sept. 8, 2026
  • mclane
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    Retrieved from McLane.
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    McLane launches digital program for retail customers

    McLane 360 combines promotion ordering, delivery tracking information and business insights into a single platform.

    By • Sept. 2, 2026
  • A photo of a beer cave and beverage cooler. Signs on the wall read "read cave always ice cold" and "craft beer to savor and share."
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    Permission granted by Paragon Solutions
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    The perfect mix: How c-stores can balance human ideas and AI in SKU planning

    Advanced technology can boost margins 2%-5%, experts say, but implementation can be challenging for independents.

    By Michael Brady • Aug. 31, 2026
  • sinclair
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    Courtesy of Sinclair Oil
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    Sinclair Oil turns to mobile gaming to drive loyalty

    The distributor and branded fuel retailer reported a 42% increase in site visits among “highly engaged members” after implementing game-linked rewards to its Dinopay app.

    By • Aug. 25, 2026
  • several people stand behind a self checkout machine in a store with a wall of tobacco products behind them. A screen on one of the machines says "Mashgin. Place all items."
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    Courtesy of Hop Shops
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    Hop Shops adds automated self-checkout

    The partnership incorporates Mashgin’s AI-assisted checkout platform with Glory’s cash automation solution into a streamlined setup.

    By • Aug. 25, 2026