9 trends that will shape the c-store industry in 2024

As convenience retailers consider new layouts, flavors and technology, the ability to be efficient with operations will be key, experts say.

By C-Store Dive Staff • Jan. 9, 2024

Restaurant loyalty programs will be ruled by personalization in 2024

Major chains are using real-time consumer data and artificial intelligence to provide more personalized perks, which may grow engagement even as diners’ emotional attachment to brands dips. 

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 5, 2024

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Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive

Top 5 stories from C-Store Dive 2023/2024

By C-Store Dive staff

Yesway updates rewards program

Customers can now use their mobile phone number to access member pricing, rewards and more with the newly streamlined benefits.

By Jessica Loder • Jan. 3, 2024

How well did our predictions for 2023 fare? Here are our honest grades.

Heading into 2023, we thought retail media, digital loyalty, EV charging and a few other topics would dominate the industry. We were right about some — and way off about one.

By Brett Dworski • Dec. 18, 2023

Coen Markets continues its digital transformation

Just two months after revamping its loyalty program, the retailer has redesigned its website to feature a more user-friendly experience for employees and customers.

By Brett Dworski • Dec. 15, 2023

RaceTrac boosts tech with HPE rollout

This brings all of the company’s roughly 800 stores onto the same technology system and is expected to give customers a more consistent experience as well as improve operations. 

By Jessica Loder • Dec. 14, 2023

‘Tis the season for a retail tech-stack rethink

An influx of in-store technologies has CIOs leaning toward cloud for integration solutions, according to research by Bain and Aptos.

By Matt Ashare • Dec. 14, 2023

How c-stores are pushing their mobile apps forward

Retailers large and small revamped their apps this year by adding features to improve convenience, quality and utility.

By Jessica Loder • Dec. 12, 2023

Shell loyalty program partners with Grubhub

Members can earn 5 cents off per gallon when they link their account to the food ordering and delivery marketplace and then spend $50 or more.

By Jessica Loder • Dec. 7, 2023

Yesway adopts Relay’s fuel payment software

The cardless platform allows more fleets and drivers to avoid fraud caused by card skimming.

By Brett Dworski • Nov. 30, 2023

Kitchen United will sell or close all physical units, pivot to software

The ghost kitchen firm, which Circle K backed in 2022, said it will focus on developing the technology it used to run its physical locations.

By Catherine Douglas Moran , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 29, 2023

Kwik Trip adding self-checkout to new builds

While old stores will not be retrofitted with the technology, all of the retailer’s 30-plus planned sites for 2024 will include it. 

By Jessica Loder • Nov. 28, 2023

Benefits of AI in elevating customer experience for retailers this holiday season

What can retailers gain by implementing AI solutions during this holiday period, and set themselves up for even greater success next year?

Nov. 27, 2023

DoorDash brings alcohol delivery to New Jersey

As the e-commerce company continues to expand its alcohol marketplace to new states, it’s highlighting its efforts to prevent underage drinking.

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 22, 2023

How BP is expanding its AI capabilities

The energy and retail firm plans to use Microsoft’s productivity tool Copilot to help speed up some rote tasks for employees.

By Jessica Loder • Nov. 16, 2023

New Standard AI solution tackles shrink

Zone Monitoring uses cameras to note when shelves are empty and can compare data on what was taken against sales to pinpoint theft.

By Jessica Loder • Nov. 16, 2023

Giant Eagle ends fuel rewards program

The grocer intends to stop operating fuelperks+ on Jan. 25 and will transfer enrolled shoppers to myPerks, which its GetGo c-store arm already uses.

By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 15, 2023

Plaid Pantry unveils first EV charger

The convenience retailer’s Portland, Oregon site, which had a beta launch in October, has seen nearly 100% uptime over more than 200 vehicle charges so far. 

By Jessica Loder • Nov. 15, 2023

What the future holds for c-store apps

As the technology becomes widespread for convenience retailers, expect a greater push for uniqueness, improved personalization and better gamification, experts say.

By Jessica Loder • Nov. 15, 2023

What consumers love and hate about c-store apps

Stellar service and differentiation help boost those with top scores, while technical problems plague many of the lowest-rated mobile apps.

By Brett Dworski , Jessica Loder • Nov. 14, 2023

EG Group buys Tesla hardware for European charging network

This is the second time Tesla has sold its ultra-fast EV chargers within the c-store industry and follows a deal the automaker struck with BP in October.

By Jessica Loder • Nov. 14, 2023

New PDI partnership augments digital ordering, delivery

The agreement with Otter, an order management company, will help c-stores ensure greater accuracy in digital orders and decrease the number of missed tickets.

By Jessica Loder • Nov. 13, 2023

Behind the making of Dash In’s new mobile app and loyalty program

The retailer debuted both at a test location in August and plans to launch them across its network starting in 2024, president and CEO Blackie Wills said.

By Brett Dworski • Nov. 13, 2023

Buc-ee’s joins Mercedes-Benz EV charging network

The initial rollout will include chargers at 30 of the retailer’s travel centers by the end of 2024.

By Brett Dworski • Nov. 9, 2023

Titan Cloud taps Petro West’s site management software

The platform combines human and automated tools to help small and independent petroleum companies navigate fuel management challenges.

By Brett Dworski • Nov. 8, 2023