Emily Boes Senior EditorCStore Decisions Thought Leaders See More >
Emily Boes Senior Editor
Today on CStore Decisions
White House Delays FDA’s Menthol Ban
The White House announced today that it has temporarily dropped its planned ban on menthol cigarettes. The ban was initially proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2022, with the intended deadline of August 2023. In October 2023, the FDA sent final rules to the White House Office of Management and…
Stewart’s Shops Named Best Place to Get a Frozen Treat
Stewart’s Shops has defended its title as the Best Place for a Frozen Treat in the Albany Times Union’s Best of the Capital Region competition. Stewart’s prides itself on its ice cream selection and quality, offering more than 60 flavors, all made fresh at its plant in Saratoga County, N.Y. The company also recently received…
Gas Prices Stay Volatile Leading up to Memorial Day
With the cost of oil retreating and the domestic gasoline demand declining, AAA has predicted that the gas prices may stall until Memorial Day. However since last week, the national average has dipped two cents to $3.65. “Domestic gas demand is pretty pokey at the moment, which is often the case in the runup to…
Major Oil Introduces Hybrid Energy Stations
In 2024, convenience store operators are familiar with self-checkout and have already weighed the pros and cons of installation, deployed the technology or decided against it, and are currently monitoring how it fares. Some c-stores are also testing autonomous checkout, which allows for a frictionless shopping experience. Going a step further, Major Oil is introducing…
Rutter’s Launches Summer Sweepstakes Program
Rutter’s has announced the launch of its 2024 High Roller Summer Sweepstakes. Starting on April 29, the central Pennsylvania-based chain will be giving away over $30,000 in prizes to its VIP customers over the summer month. One VIP customer will take home the top prize of $25,000. To participate, customers must be registered as a…
Keeping it New and Personal With Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs play a significant role in boosting customer engagement at c-stores. With loyalty programs, c-store retailers can bring in new customers while maintaining the ones they already have by offering deals on products they buy frequently and giving them rewards for future purchases. As loyalty programs become even more important, especially with technology usage…
PDI Technologies Shares Results from Annual Retail Survey Report
PDI Technologies has released the fourth edition of the “Sustainability, EV, and Convenience Retail Survey Report.” The report revealed that consumers are increasingly looking for more environmentally friendly options, especially in the fuel and convenience retail industry. The annual survey also showed that consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products at an increased…
Laid-Off Foxtrot Employee Seeks Damages After Abrupt Closure
On Tuesday, Outfox Hospitality — the newly formed entity composed of the combined efforts of Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market — shocked the industry by announcing the abrupt closing of its 33 Foxtrot and two Dom’s locations. As it turns out, the news was just as surprising to consumers as it was to employees,…
Wesco Reaches $3 Million in Annual Delivery Sales
Western Michigan-based Wesco announced a major achievement in its delivery service operations — in 2023, the chain achieved 43% growth in delivery and surpassed the $3 million milestone with a total of $3.1 million in annualized sales. “We believe delivery is an important piece of this industry’s future, and we want to lead the way,”…
Envisioning the Tobacco Customer in Five Years
The 2023 National Youth Tobacco Study is important for the data it reports and notable for what it leaves out. The study is produced annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s straight-up statistical data on tobacco use by 6th through 12th graders. They’ve left it for others to figure out the…
Beverages & Cold Vault See More >
Stewart’s Shops Named Best Place to Get a Frozen Treat
Stewart’s Shops has defended its title as the Best Place for a Frozen Treat in the Albany Times Union’s Best of the Capital Region competition. Stewart’s prides itself on its ice cream selection and quality, offering more than 60 flavors, all made fresh at its plant in Saratoga County, N.Y. The company also recently received…
Sponsored Content See More >
Premium Baked Goods Made Easy for C-Store Operators
Sponsored by Bake’n Joy Labor constraints and the need for high-quality products to attract and retain customers are some of the most prominent issues facing c-store operators today. Bake’n Joy, a fourth-generation family-run business for over 83 years, offers premium bakery solutions tailored for c-store operators to tackle these challenges. “Securing skilled personnel for baking…
Tobacco See More >
White House Delays FDA’s Menthol Ban
The White House announced today that it has temporarily dropped its planned ban on menthol cigarettes. The ban was initially proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2022, with the intended deadline of August 2023. In October 2023, the FDA sent final rules to the White House Office of Management and…
Videos See More >
More on NAG Convenience’s Info ExchangesThere’s still time to register for the NAG Convenience Conference, happening March 10-13 in Tampa Bay, Fla. Watch the video…
NAG Convenience to Feature Labor Management SessionThe upcoming NAG Convenience Conference, set for March 10-13 in Tampa Bay, Fla., is set to feature six burning issue…
Sweet and Spicy Snack SamplingCStore Decisions Senior Editor Emmy Boes samples a few different snacks this month, including her namesake: Emmy’s Organics Thin &…
Young Executive Opportunities at NAGErin Del Conte, editor-in-chief of CStore Decisions, interviews Allison Dean, executive director of NAG, to learn more about the opportunities…
Soft, Chewy and Shareable: A Candy RoundupSenior Editor of CStore Decisions Emmy Boes taste tests three different candy items: SKITTLES Gummy Sour, HI-SOFT Salted Caramel Chews…
Learn More About the NAG Artificial Intelligence SessionMike Maxwell, senior vice president, Technology — Dining & C-Store for Bounteous, is set to lead the upcoming NAG Convenience…
Insights on the Foodservice Marketing Session at NAGKay Segal, moderator of the Foodservice Marketing session at the upcoming NAG Convenience Conference, shares some insights on what the…
Calling All C-Store Retailers to Take the HR Benchmarking SurveyCStore Decisions is calling all c-store retailers to take our annual HR Benchmarking Survey to help us track how labor…
Joy Almekies Shares Her Thoughts on the NAG ConferenceErin Del Conte, editor-in-chief, CStore Decisions, speaks with Joy Almekies, senior director food services, Global Partners LP, who shares her…
Savory, Spicy SnacksThree new snacks are on the menu for Emmy Boes, senior editor of CStore Decisions. The snacks are Pringles Scorchin’…
Announcing a New Year’s Discount for the NAG ConferenceSign up now for the NAG Convenience Conference, set for March 10-13 in Tampa Bay Fla., and take advantage of…
NAG Conference Early Bird Pricing Expires Dec. 31Early bird pricing for the NAG Convenience Conference is expiring on Dec. 31, 2023. C-store retailers should register now to…
C-Store Resources See More >
The 16th Annual HR Benchmarking ReportIn 2024, staffing issues and inflation both remain top challenges at convenience stores. As retailers look to better recruitment, hiring…
The 2024 Category Management Handbook As your c-store chain navigates the year ahead, CStore Decisions’ 2024 Category Management Handbook is here as a reference…
The 2024 Social Media AwardsCStore Decisions, for the 12th consecutive year, is recognizing the convenience store chains performing best on social media platforms. This…
CStore Decisions’ 2023 40 Under 40 Leaders to WatchThroughout 2023, the c-store industry has faced countless setbacks and challenges, from ongoing tobacco legislation, the lingering effects of COVID,…
Overcoming Challenges in Hiring and RetentionThe COVID-19 pandemic may no longer be a primary concern in 2023, but its impact on the economy and the…
The 2023 Social Media AwardsFor the 11th consecutive year, CStore Decisions is celebrating convenience store chains standing out on social media for their creativity…
CStore Decisions’ 2022 40 Under 40 Leaders to WatchC-store retailers have faced several challenges in 2022, from labor shortages, continued supply chain issues, a lingering pandemic, mounting inflation,…
Navigating Staffing Challenges in Today’s Labor MarketAfter two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply challenges and labor shortages, c-store retailers are evaluating labor management practices in…
The 2022 Social Media AwardsCStore Decisions, for the 10th consecutive year, is recognizing convenience store chains standing out on social media. For the second…
CStore Decisions’ 2021 40 Under 40 Leaders to WatchThroughout 2021, c-store retailers have grappled with ongoing challenges due to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, including supply chain issues, labor…
Labor Management in the Age of COVID-19CStore Decisions and Humetrics, for the 13th consecutive year, have collaborated on the annual Human Resources (HR) Benchmarking Survey, which…
The 2021 Social Media AwardsCStore Decisions, for the ninth consecutive year, is recognizing convenience store chains standing out on social media. If there was…
New Products! See More >
Caramel Ice Cream BarBreyers CarbSmart Caramel Bars are the latest addition to the fast-growing CarbSmart line, with rich flavor and a heavenly caramel swirl, yet only four grams…
Crunchy Toaster Pastry SnackPop-Tarts has unveiled its all-new lineup of Pop-Tarts Crunchy Poppers. As the first crunchy offering from the brand, Crunchy Poppers are…
Limited-Edition Mini MuffinsLittle Bites Snacks has launched its all-new, limited-edition flavor: Little Bites Girl Scout Toast-Yay! Muffins. Available now through July, these muffins are full of…
Spring Mini CupcakesCafé Valley is celebrating the start of spring with its seasonal mini cupcakes. These spring treats are available in vanilla…
Protein-Packed Granola ClustersKIND Snacks has expanded its granola line with the addition of Healthy Grains Banana Peanut Butter Clusters with Dark Chocolate…
Minions-Themed Mini BackpacksCandyRific, in partnership with Universal Products and Experiences, has launched its new Minions Despicable Me 4 Mini backpacks. The new…
Better-for-You Energy DrinkMonster Energy Ultra has launched Fantasy Ruby Red, the latest zero-sugar flavor joining the Monster Energy Ultra lineup. Fantasy Ruby…
Hilco has expanded its line of candy items with two iconic brands, KOOL-AID and WARHEADS. Hilco has joined Kraft Heinz…
LTO Potato Chip FlavorsLay’s has unveiled its newest Lay’s Flavor That Hits Home. Inspired by different regions across America known for their signature…
Ready-to-Drink Iced LattesCosta Iced Coffee Lattes brings a unique consumer offering to the ready-to-drink coffee market, as it’s not an over-indulgent coffee…
Thin Mint-Flavored SnackGeneral Mills has introduced its new Girl Scout Thin Mint Muddy Buddies. Inspired by the No. 1 Girl Scout Cookie,…
Compostable Food Packaging ProductsEco-Products has added a variety of paper bags, sandwich wraps, and other items to its GreenStripe compostable products line. The products…
Independent Operators See More >
Ferrellgas Partners Acquires Eastern Sierra PropaneFerrellgas Partners recently acquired California-based Eastern Sierra Propane. The company is one of the premier propane retailers in the eastern…
How Can I Create a Loyalty Program?Independent convenience store operators who aren’t yet taking full advantage of customer loyalty programs are missing multiple opportunities that could…
PDI Technologies Launches New Solutions and ProgramsPDI Technologies recently announced the launch of brand-new solutions and programs to connect operations and address industry challenges. “The convenience…
Neon CEO Talks Forward ProgressNeon Marketplace, which operates seven locations in New England, recently announced new leadership. Adi Dhandhania has taken the helm as…
How To Launch an Independent C-Store BusinessStarting an independent convenience store or grocery business can be both exciting and challenging. Aspiring entrepreneurs in the retail industry…
Road Ranger Commits to Everyday ConsumersRoad Ranger has partnered with retail technology company Upside to attract more customers to its stations and provide them with…
How to Expand into Mult-Unit OperationsEvery retail operator starts with that first single store. The management hones their operational skills; develops a “how-to-go-to-market” strategy; and…
Neighborhood C-Stores Deemed Important to ConsumersSurgePays recently conducted a survey focusing on the underbanked and underserved communities looking at consumers’ perspectives and attitudes toward independent…
How Can C-Stores Cope With Supply Chain Issues?How can convenience stores cope with lingering supply chain issues? The answer is to take several commonsense steps that can…
Restaurants Add Thanksgiving Items to MenuRestaurants have been welcoming customers this holiday season by adding Thanksgiving items to their menus. SpotOn, a restaurant software and…
Restroom Sanitation Rises in SignificanceWINNER: High’s of Baltimore High’s continues to upgrade its restroom features and value the importance of sanitation as an influence…
Fast Break Promotes Outdoor RecreationIn a distinctive twist on the typical convenience store, Fast Break Bait & Tackle houses a fisherman’s paradise, ideally situated…