Erin Del Conte Editor in ChiefCStore Decisions Thought Leaders See More >
Erin Del Conte Editor in Chief
Industry News
Hurricane Milton Causes Slight Uptick in Pump Prices
According to a report from AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas rose two pennies higher to $3.21 since last week as the country deals with severe back-to-back storm damage. Like Hurricane Helene, Milton will not severely impact national gasoline supplies but will affect demand in areas with destroyed infrastructure, flooded roads and…
RaceTrac Celebrates 90th Anniversary Milestone
As RaceTrac celebrates 90 years in business, the third generation of the founding family is now steering the company and building on the chain’s long-standing legacy. With an eye on innovation, RaceTrac is focused on growth, expanding its footprint in the Southeast while moving into new states across the Midwest — with new stores in…
How to Stay Ahead of Consumer Trends
One of the hardest things for convenience stores to do in today’s evolving retail market is to stand out from the competition. With so many stores, and now quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and grocery stores getting in on the action, it’s more imperative than ever to be in tune with your customers. Among the key questions…
CITGO Raises $190,000 for United Way of Will County
CITGO’s Lemont Refinery recently held its annual employee giving campaign, which supports the United Way of Will County. This summer, the company raised more than $190,000 from 150 CITGO employees, including support from the United Steel Workers Union (USW) and a donation from CITGO Petroleum Corp. CITGO has raised more than $3.7 million for United…
Preparing for 2024 Elections
There is a frequently used saying in politics: “elections matter!” This is certainly applicable to the tobacco and regulatory space, where who controls the White House, Congress and even who runs things on the state level have substantial impacts on policies. On the federal level, the fate of two proposed rules, one to ban menthol…
7-Eleven Unveils Fall Menu Offerings
7-Eleven is welcoming the transition of seasons with four new menu offerings across its 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores nationwide. The new lineup includes: Everything Bagel Breakfast Sandwich: Featuring sausage, egg and cheese made on a fluffy potato bun topped with Everything Bagel Seasoning, this breakfast go-to comes with an Everything Bagel Seasoning Cream Cheese…
TA Integrates Ecolab Science Certified Program for Customer Safety
TravelCenters of America (TA) recently announced that it is adopting the Ecolab Science Certified (ESC) program at its company-operated TA, Petro Shopping Centers and TA Express locations as part of its efforts to further enhance safety measures at its sites nationwide. As part of the program, TA will utilize Ecolab’s science-based cleaning products and processes,…
Practicing ‘IT Hygiene’ to Prepare for Cyberattacks
At a NACS Show educational session titled, “Cyberattacks are Not a Matter of If, but When,” a panel of experts spoke about how retailers can stay ahead when it comes to cybersecurity as cybercriminals continue to become more sophisticated and targeted with their attacks. Panelists included: Andrew Buel, Special Agent, Las Vegas Cyber Task Force,…
Ins and Outs of Retail Media Networks
Day three of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show brought attendees back to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and the Las Vegas Convention Center in the morning to engage in educational sessions. With 16 sessions to choose from on Wednesday, attendees participated in two before heading to the NACS general session and walking…
Pilot Accepts Chain of the Year Award
On Oct. 8, c-store industry members gathered at The Strat in Las Vegas to celebrate Pilot Company, CStore Decisions’ 2024 Chain of the Year. “This year marks the 35th anniversary of our Chain of the Year Award,” said Erin Del Conte, editor-in-chief of CStore Decisions, “which is the oldest and most prestigious award in convenience…
Beverages & Cold Vault See More >
Wawa Offers Free Coffee, Fountain Beverages Following Hurricane Helene
As Hurricane Helene sweeps through the Southeast, Pennsylvania-based Wawa has committed to aiding residents in its Florida communities. From Sept. 26-29, all first responders, National Guard and emergency responders in Florida can grab a free coffee or fountain beverage on Wawa. “This is just one way Wawa is thanking everyday heroes for all they do…
Independent Operators See More >
Finding Success as an Independent Operator
In a time when mergers and acquisitions are sweeping the convenience store landscape and, as a result, large companies are growing even larger, independent c-store operators must be savvier than ever to determine the best moves to make for their stores. Retailers looking to add to their store count or enter the market for the…
Sponsored Content See More >
Why Social Sourcing is a Top Concern for Retailers
Sponsored by WeCard Social sourcing has become a significant concern as underage youth find new ways to access age-restricted products. While traditional retail compliance has improved, non-commercial methods—like asking someone of age to buy products for minors—complicate efforts to prevent youth access. We Card, a national nonprofit focused on responsible retailing, addresses this challenge…
Tobacco See More >
Taxes, Bans and a Task Force
The cost for convenience stores to offer customers a balanced backbar of tobacco and nicotine products keeps creeping up. Just take a look at this overview of taxes as of March 2024 per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Cigarettes — Excise taxes range from 17 cents per pack (Missouri) to $5.35 per pack…
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 >
Sugar-Free Fruit JuiceWelch’s Zero Sugar is available in two refreshing refrigerated flavors: Passion Fruit and Grape (59-ounce cartons), and three delicious shelf-stable…
Halloween-Themed Mountain DewMountain Dew V00-Dew and Mountain Dew Voo-Dew Zero Sugar are available on shelves nationwide in 20-ounce bottles and 12-ounce 12-packs.…
Black Cherry-Flavored Mushroom Energy DrinkMelting Forest Black Cherry Energy Drink is a dynamic, invigorating beverage crafted to boost consumers’ energy and focus. Infused with…
Chili Cheese Hot DogThis hot dog has more flavor than consumers thought possible, made with cumin, chili pepper, taco spices and whole chunks…
New Cigar Fresh PacksIntroducing the Cuban Rounds Toro Fresh Pack — a satisfying new size created with both customers and counter-space in mind.…
Individually-Wrapped Birthday Cake CookiesThe new individually-wrapped Otis Spunkmeyer Birthday Cake Cookie is a delicious blend of buttery vanilla flavor and colorful candy confetti…
Halloween-Themed Cookie DoughJust in time for Halloween, fan-favorite Pillsbury Shape Cookies are back in Pumpkin and Ghost designs. No measuring or mixing…
Girl Scout Cookie-Inspired Protein PowderOptimum Nutrition introduced a new Girl Scout Cookie-inspired flavor across the brand’s Gold Standard 100% Whey product line. Now available in…
New Kölsch BeerMoor’s Brewing Co., the fastest-growing Black owned beer brand, has launched its latest beer style, Moor’s Kölsch, after three years…
Premium Cigar BlendJM Tobacco’s Española Year of the Dragon cigars, following remarkable success as a limited edition, will officially join the core…
Novelty Tongue Tattoo WafersGerrit J. Verburg Co. has introduced Gerrit’s Blue Raspberry Satellite Wafers with Tongue Tattoos. This unique novelty offers a playful…
Flavor-Changing Chewing GumIce Breakers is introducing Ice Breakers Flavor Shifters, a new refreshing, multi-dimensional twist on gum. Featuring a revolutionary technology that…