Today on CStore Decisions
Heas Energy Awarded Safe Shop Certification
Heas Energy, a family owned and operated convenience store chain with 10 Stores in Virginia, has completed the requirements for the Safe Shop Assured program making each of its stores Safe Shop Certified. Implementation of Safe Shop branding will highlight the company having met and exceeded a 10-point checklist of essential safety measures at its…
Circle K Offers Customers Free Cup of Coffee for National Coffee Day
Circle K will celebrate National Coffee Day on Sept. 29 by offering customers a free cup of hot or iced coffee. Providing 100% sustainably sourced blends across all its locations, Circle K offers consistently fresh coffee through their bean-to-cup machines, which allow customers to enjoy freshly ground coffee in every cup. The National Coffee Association…
National Gas Price Average Stabilizes as Oil Prices Rise
The national gas price average rose two cents on the week to $3.19, matching a seven-year-high last seen in early August, according to AAA. While the post-Labor Day period usually sees less demand and lower gas prices, this year, the impact of Hurricane Ida, followed two weeks later by Hurricane Nicholas, has slowed oil production…
Federal Tobacco Tax In Reconciliation Bill Will Have Unintended Consequences
Amanda Gray is the Executive Director of the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association. As a working mom of three young kids, I agree that universal pre-kindergarten education – as proposed in the current spending package spearheaded by congressional Democrats – would be good for families and society. However, the positive components of the spending package could be…
Chick-fil-A’s Delivery Kitchen Concept Launches in Nashville
Little Blue Menu, a delivery kitchen concept that’s an affiliate of Chick-fil-A, launched its pilot location in Nashville, Tenn. An Atlanta location will follow in 2022. Picture a thick-cut pork belly BLT, garden-fresh salad, crispy Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries and bone-in wings. This is one example of an online delivery order. Little Blue Menu is…
NATSO, SIGMA Urge Lawmakers to Extend Biodiesel Tax Credit
NATSO, the national association representing truckstops, travel plazas, and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, and representatives of the trucking and convenience store industries, urged lawmakers to extend the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit in the upcoming budget reconciliation package and ensure tax parity for any new credits awarded for transportation fuels that compete for…
Beverage Sales Expected to Grow Through 2025
According to the update of Packaged Facts’ benchmark coverage of retail beverage sales in Beverage Market Outlook 2021: Retail Beverage Trends & Consumption Preferences, sales of the major beverage categories are forecast to increase 2.2% per year from 2020 to 2025 but not at a steady rate over that period. Sales spiked in 2020 due…
CEFCO Location Opens in Kilgore, Texas
CEFCO Convenience Stores announced the grand opening of its newest store, which is located at 1009 North Kilgore Street in Kilgore, Texas. A Huddle House location will be connected to the store as well and is expected to open later this month. CEFCO customers will find a wide variety of hot and cold food items,…
Love’s Truck Care and Speedco Cloud-Based System Improves Fleets’ Bottom Lines
Fleets conducting business at Love’s Truck Care and Speedco locations are seeing bottom-line improvements through a new system integrating data between the shops and fleets — the Shop Connect VIEW platform. This is a cloud-based system allowing fleets to better manage maintenance needs on the web or on the go through a new app. Shop…
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What are the Biggest Frozen Dispensed Equipment Considerations?
When potential profit margins for frozen dispensed beverages (FDBs) exceed 20% on top of what fountain drinks produce, it’s no wonder more than 80% of convenience stores worldwide have installed equipment to pour out slushies, shakes and blended iced coffees. A favorable return on investment, however, depends on taking all equipment choices and decisions into…
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The new Sirius disposable vape by VaporLax
By Geoff Habicht, President & Co-Founder When making purchasing decisions for Convenience Stores, it is always important to know what the next top-selling disposable vape on the market will be. With our industry’s ever-changing vape laws, it is important to purchase from a company that understands these vape laws and has PMTA-accepted product lines. An easy choice for…
Tobacco See More >
Federal Tobacco Tax In Reconciliation Bill Will Have Unintended Consequences
Amanda Gray is the Executive Director of the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association. As a working mom of three young kids, I agree that universal pre-kindergarten education – as proposed in the current spending package spearheaded by congressional Democrats – would be good for families and society. However, the positive components of the spending package could be…
Videos See More >
End of Summer Seltzer Roundup — and My Top PickHard seltzers hit more than $4 billion in sales in 2020 and totaled about $1.52 billion in sales at c-stores…
High’s Celebrates Hometown HeroesHigh’s celebrated ‘hometown heroes’ as part of a recent 24/7 day campaign and raised approximately $3,00 for the American Red…
Reed’s and Virgil’s Introduce Resealable BottlesReed’s Inc., maker of handcrafted, all-natural beverages, launched its first-ever resealable format in the company’s 30+ year history this past…
Top Three Ice Cream Trends to WatchJuly may be National Ice Cream Month, but it’s safe to say Americans eat ice cream year-round — about 23…
Non-Chocolate Candy RoundupToday I’m taste testing some non-chocolate candy products from The Hershey Co., American Licorice Co. and Hilco USA. On today’s…
FriendShip Stores Supports Make-A-WishExecutive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Olivia Beck, special projects manager at FriendShip Stores, which is the retail division…
TXB Gives Back to Local CASA ChaptersCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Kevin Smartt, CEO of Texas Born (TXB), to learn more about…
The PRIDE Stores Gives Back Through Local CharitiesCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Sarah Sullivan, the marketing director of The PRIDE Stores, which operates…
Frank Tries the New Chicken Lineup at Love’s Travel StopsLove’s Travel Stops recently introduced a new lineup of baked and pre-fried chicken products that, they say, are unlike anything…
Maverik Teams With Feeding America To Fight HungerChuck Maggelet, president and chief adventure guide for Maverik, speaks with CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte to share…
Jiffy Trip Supports Oklahoma Children’s HospitalA little over five years ago, Jiffy Trip partnered with Oklahoma Children’s Hospital and began running an annual fundraising campaign…
Dandy Mini Marts Completes 16th Annual Dandy Canes CampaignDandy Mini Marts hosts its Dandy Canes Campaign each holiday season, from Black Friday through Dec. 26. Every dollar raised…
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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…
CStore Decisions’ 2020 40 Under 40 C-Store Leaders to Watch2020 has brought challenges to the c-store industry like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic arrived in spring, changing the way…
C-Stores Conquer New HR ChallengesCStore Decisions’ and Humetrics’ 12th annual Human Resources (HR) Benchmarking Survey polled c-store retailers — between Jan. 5 and March…
The 2020 Social Media AwardsCStore Decisions, for the eighth consecutive year, is recognizing convenience store chains leading the way on social media and mobile…
2019 40 Under 40Today’s retail environment is changing faster than ever before as technological disruption pushes c-stores to adapt for the future while…
C-Stores Rally in Tight Labor MarketBy Mel Kleiman, President, Humetrics and Erin Del Conte, Executive Editor Convenience Store Decisions and Humetrics recently collaborated on our…
2018 40 under 40 Effective and well-trained leaders are invaluable when it comes to formulating and communicating new strategic directions, motivating employees, satisfying…
2019 Category Management ReviewConvenience categories are evolving quickly. This year, CSD highlights the latest movers and profitable moneymakers. A CSD Staff Report If…
The 2019 Social Media AwardsSocial media trends are evolving and savvy chains are keeping pace, going into 2019. CSD recognizes c-store chains succeeding at…
New Products! See More >
Salted Caramel Twix BarThe Twix Salted Caramel bars are packed with salted caramel, crunchy cookie and covered in a milk chocolate coating, The…
Pre-Packaged Protein Snack PacksTyson Foods unveils a new kids snack — Hillshire Farm SNACKED! It provides a “poppable” protein pack complete with three…
Layered Pumpkin Pie Ice CreamTalenti released its seasonal flavor, Pumpkin Pie Layers. It is made with five layers, including pumpkin gelato, pie crust pieces, brown…
Hershey Releases Lineup of Holiday SweetsHershey is releasing 13 special new treats in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. Hershey has taken inspiration from classic…
Fruit-Flavored Popping Candy BagsHilco has joined with Kraft Heinz to create Kool-Aid brand treats for Halloween 2021. The treats include Kool-Aid Ghoul-Aid brand…
Level Select CBD Functional GummiesPerformance-based CBD products line Level Select CBD, part of the Kadenwood family of brands, announced the nationwide rollout of its…
Cocktail-Inspired Seltzers for the HolidaysAvailable nationally on Nov. 1, Truly’s Holiday Party Pack features four cocktail-inspired flavors, including: Cran Orange Sparkler, Pom Ginger Fizz,…
Limited-Edition Jalapeño Popper-Flavored CrackersGoldfish crackers announced its new limited-edition flavor hitting shelves this fall: Jalapeño Popper. The new flavor offers a bold, cheesy…
Sparkling Citrus and Berry RefreshersThe Boston Beer Co. launched Bevy Long Drink, a new beverage inspired by the national cocktail of Finland, the “Long…
Pumpkin Pie Protein BarsQuest released their new Pumpkin Pie Protein Bars. The protein bars are made with a pumpkin base mixed with warm…
Limited-Edition Dungeons & Dragons-Inspired PackagingNerds and Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) launched the new limited-edition Nerds Gummy Clusters and Rainbow Nerds Theater Box packaging nationwide.…
Hazy and Juicy Pale AleBlue Moon Brewing Co. announced the launch of Moon Haze, its award-winning hazy and juicy pale ale. Brewed with dried,…
Independent Operators See More >
Heas Energy Awarded Safe Shop CertificationHeas Energy, a family owned and operated convenience store chain with 10 Stores in Virginia, has completed the requirements for…
How Can Independent Marketers Achieve a Work-Personal Life Balance?Opening your own new store is an enthralling experience. From the planning stages, to cutting the ribbon, through the first…
Refuel Acquires Nine Buck’s C-StoresRefuel Operating Co., a Charleston, S.C.-based retail and wholesale fuel distribution and convenience store business, has entered into an agreement…
The Power of OneIf you’re like most folks in the convenience store business, you browse through a variety of publications each month and…
How Can Independent C-Stores More Effectively Compete With Chains?Famed slugger Pete Rose always maintained that while he wasn’t the most naturally gifted player in the big leagues, he…
How Independent C-Store Operators Maintain Master Store-By-Store DatabasesThere comes a time in every multi-unit retailer’s business cycle that they want to launch a new product that requires…
Urban Value Corner Store Tests Delivery RobotVroom Delivery has partnered with last-mile delivery robot operator Tortoise and Dallas convenience retailer Urban Value Corner Store to bring…
How Can You Design an Independent C-Store to Attract Repeat Customers?It may not make sense at first, but did you know your convenience store can attract repeat customers, even if…
Mississippi’s Scott Petroleum Sells to Arkansas DistributorNewport, Ark.-based C&S Fuels has purchased family-owned fuel distributor and convenience store operator Scott Petroleum Corp., of Itta Bena, in…
How Can the Independent C-Store Operator Develop a Corporate Communications Plan?Amazingly, many companies do not think about communications — both internally and externally — until it is a necessity. A…
Foxtrot Plans 50-Store National ExpansionChicago-based Foxtrot announced a mass expansion, which includes an additional 50 new stores throughout the country within the next two…
How Can Independent C-Store Operators Manage Requests for Proposal?We select our store locations. We select our staff. We select the merchandise to carry; and, along those lines, we…