John Matthews ColumnistCStore Decisions Thought Leaders See More >
John Matthews Columnist
Today on CStore Decisions
Cenovus Selling Husky Stores to Parkland, FCL
Cenovus Energy has reached agreements to sell 337 gas stations in its Husky retail fuels network to Parkland Corp. and Federated Co-operatives Limited for total cash proceeds of US$327 million. Cenovus will also sell its Wembley assets in its conventional business, primarily Montney assets in Wembley for cash proceeds of approximately US$186 million. Total production…
Spinx Adds EV Chargers, Full-Service Kitchen to South Carolina Store
Spinx Co. celebrated the grand reopening of its Spinx #271 store in Orangeburg, S.C. Located at 3615 St. Matthews Road, the new store will now feature a full-service kitchen and diesel truck lanes. In addition, this location will include a new Tesla Supercharger station with eight Supercharger stalls. The new Tesla Superchargers help Tesla drivers…
Should I Sell Functional Beverages at My Convenience Store?
Functional beverages provide benefits beyond hydration from health benefits to help with focus, energy, relaxation or more. A Mordor Intelligence report titled, “Functional Beverage Market – Growth Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021-2026)” predicted that the global functional beverage market will have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.96% during the forecast period (2021…
7-Eleven Brings Back Winter Wonderland Cocoa
7-Eleven is bringing back its Winter Wonderland Cocoa — a hot, rich cocoa blended with a cool candy cane flavor. Customers can pair the winter classic with chocolate sauce and creamer. Customers can customize their cocoa with more toppings like marshmallows, cinnamon, caramel and a variety of creamers. 7-Eleven is giving the gift of free…
Curtis Celebrates 80 Years of Coffee Innovation
The Wilbur Curtis Co. — one of the world’s leading commercial coffee brewing manufacturers — is celebrating its 80th anniversary, commemorating eight decades of superior coffee brewing. The Curtis brand was launched in 1941 in a small Hollywood, Calif., facility. On a mission to create the perfect cup of coffee, Curtis quickly built a reputation…
What Are the Hand-Washing Best-Practices for C-Stores?
Even more than chains, independent c-store operators need to earn consumers’ trust every time they enter the store, and nothing can destroy that trust more quickly than unsanitary food handling practice. Foodborne illness can cripple a c-store’s foodservice program, which makes teaching and enforcing the basics an essential part of an independent’s training program. The…
C-Stores Foresee Strong CBD Sales in 2022
Cannabidiol (CBD) sales in the convenience and petroleum channel are set to hit $171 million in 2021 — up 49% from 2020, according to market research firm Brightfield Group’s “US CBD Market Industry Update, October 2021.” The market is forecast to reach $449 million by 2026, representing a 21% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from…
QuikTrip Brings Back ‘JollyTown’ Mobile App Contest
QuikTrip (QT) announced the return of its festive campaign, JollyTown, a mobile app contest filled with free gifts for customers who use the app. Every mobile order placed through Jan. 2 will receive a digital gift. Throughout the holiday season, QT is offering freebies of more than 30 in-store products to customers through the QT…
Cliff’s Local Market Raises $27,733 for The Kelberman Center
Cliff’s Local Market announced that it raised $27,733 at its second annual Autism Awareness Campaign this October for The Kelberman Center, a local organization devoted to providing autism services for children, adults and their families. Throughout the campaign, customers visiting any Cliff’s Local Market location were invited to donate through the purchase of paper puzzle…
Le Bread Xpress Brings Micro-Bakery to Bay Area Retailer
Le Bread Xpress announced this week that Macy’s has installed a custom-branded Bake Xpress robotic micro-bakery at its Westfield Valley Fair location in Santa Clara, Calif., offering shoppers convenient in-store meals and snacks. Bake Xpress micro-bakeries are unique robotic vending solutions that offer a selection of pastries, pizza and artisan sandwiches that are freshly baked…
Beverages & Cold Vault See More >
Should I Sell Functional Beverages at My Convenience Store?
Functional beverages provide benefits beyond hydration from health benefits to help with focus, energy, relaxation or more. A Mordor Intelligence report titled, “Functional Beverage Market – Growth Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021-2026)” predicted that the global functional beverage market will have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.96% during the forecast period (2021…
Sponsored Content See More >
“Sustainability” isn’t a buzzword. It’s smart business.
Convenience stores use between 3 and 7 times more energy per square foot than most businesses. That fact alone should make it clear to any smart operator that your stores can’t afford to ignore energy efficiency or to delay projects that will increase it. Taking prompt action and undertaking deep energy efficiency projects will save…
Tobacco See More >
Petrosoft Adds Altria’s API to Its Scan Data Solution
Petrosoft introduced a new feature to its Scan Data solution, integrating Altria’s AGDC Price Promotions API. The new feature solves the first mile of scan data, accepting error-free price promotions and updating the c-store or other tobacco retailer’s point-of-sale (POS) within a few clicks. The first mile of tobacco promotions setup can be complicated and…
Videos See More >
Taste Testing Made Here Beer All American Party PackCStore Decisions’ Executive Editor Erin Del Conte samples American Lager, American IPA and American Ale from the Made Here Beer…
‘Tis the Season: Gingerbread Red Vines, Sugar Cookie Chocolate and MoreCStore Decisions is back with some seasonal, holiday-themed candy products from Hershey, American Licorice Co. and CandyRific.
Snack Food RoundupCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte taste tests four snack products — both sweet and heat varieties.
Cloud-Based Video ManagementEnvysion provides retailers with video-enabled solutions integrating with your POS and BI tools. Our technology is ideal for loss prevention…
Proven Brand Delivering Strong Growth for Your BusinessWatch this video to learn how Ford Gum’s Big League Chew’s 12% year-over-year growth will help you drive more sales…
Beverage Solutions to Grow Your BusinessCoca-Cola and the Actionable Insights Team offer retailers real time data, research and trends stemming from consumers’ post-pandemic shopping behaviors…
Casey’s Round-Up Campaign Supports VeteransCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Tom Brennan, Casey’s chief merchandising officer, to learn how Casey’s is…
Powering C-Stores to Deliver LocallyLula is helping 150,000 convenience stores in the U.S. transform into mini-fulfillment centers to offer 20-30-minute delivery of thousands of…
Networking Solutions Designed Specifically for C-Store and Petroleum LocationsMako Networks has a range of networking products to help stores get their network under control and to connect securely…
Sustainable Foodservice Packaging for Your CommissaryHeat-sealing machine to effectively package and seal sandwiches, salads and more for your stores. LK Packaging provides stock and custom…
Bringing a QSR Look and Feel to Your C-Store OperationPlease take a moment to check out our portfolio to help increase not only your foodservice volume but also your…
Networking and Payment Expertise to Develop Leading-Edge Solutions for Convenience StoresC-stores control content on their pumps to fit their unique requirements. With WannLynx, deliver value to loyal customers, encourage in-store…
C-Store Resources See More >
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 >
Festive Egg Nogs and CustardHiland Dairy’s festive Old Fashioned Egg Nog, Old Fashioned Custard and Pumpkin Spice Egg Nog are hitting stores through Jan.…
Display Panels for Marvel’s Avengers Character FansCandyRific has introduced a new display panel for its Marvel’s Avengers character fans. Thor-, Loki- and Black Panther-themed character fans…
Kool-Aid Fruity ChewsWith Hilco and Kraft Heinz’s latest partnered innovation, Hilco is expanding its line of Kool-Aid brand candy with the new…
Innovative Oral SpraysCharlotte’s Web has added new oral sprays to the its product lineup on a limited time offer basis. Calm Spray…
Gingerbread Licorice TwistsRed Vines is launching a new holiday innovation: Red Vines Gingerbread Twists. This candy joins many new Red Vines and…
Sweet Mint Yerba MateBrew Dr. is expanding its Uplift yerba mate product line with a new ‘Sweet Mint’ flavor, now available in select…
Cilantro Lime ChipsSantitas is serving up its new Santitas Flavored Cilantro Lime chips. Cilantro Lime is an adventurous new flavor, inspired by…
Small and Efficient Glove DispenserGripHero, the maker of static-safe glove and fuel-nozzle mounted dispensers, launches the all-new GripHero 2 — its smallest-ever, most efficient…
Chocolate Mint Stout Aged in Kentucky Bourbon BarrelsGuinness Chocolate Mint Stout Aged in Kentucky Bourbon Barrels, a seasonal stout with a 10.8% ABV, is brewed with dried…
Funfetti and Wintergreen Candy CanesFerrara announced new Brach’s candy cane flavors to join the Red & White Candy Canes, Cherry Rainbow Candy Canes and…
Eggnog CocktailJust months after unveiling the newest flavor, Chili Mango, BuzzBallz/Southern Champion is adding BuzzBallz Chillers Eggnog to its brand portfolio.…
‘Extra Stuf’ Oreo ThinsOreo Thins that will now be available filled with more ‘Stuf.’ Oreo Thins Extra Stuf cookies are crafted with nearly…
Independent Operators See More >
What Are the Hand-Washing Best-Practices for C-Stores?Even more than chains, independent c-store operators need to earn consumers’ trust every time they enter the store, and nothing…
Why Is Restroom Cleanliness Important for Independent C-Stores?It’s a question independent convenience store operators don’t ask often enough: Why is restroom cleanliness important for independents? The answer…
How Can Independent C-Stores Improve Candy Sales?If you’re a small, independent convenience store chain, working to boost candy sales is crucial to helping overall store sales…
How Can Independent Operators Recognize Good Employees?People crave recognition on the job almost as much as they do money – and the sooner independent convenience store…
What Markets Are Best for Independent Convenience Stores?Whether you’re buying an existing convenience store or building a new-to-industry (NTI) c-store, it is likely one of the largest…
Roaster’s Market Builds Presence in Ada, Okla.Roaster’s Market, which celebrated its grand opening in 2020, brings an upmarket c-store experience to Ada, Okla. The 5,200-square-foot site…
How Independent C-Store Operators Should Manage Capital ExpendituresWhen it comes to the long-term success of a business, one of the key drivers is prudent capital re-investment. Unlike…
Evaluating Real Estate SitesEvaluating potential new sites for the multi-unit operator can be a daunting task. The operator is constantly chasing several potential…
NACS Show Sessions Discuss Sustainability, CultureThe NACS Show kicked off at McCormick Place in Chicago on Tuesday with a number of educational sessions for retailers.…
How Can Independent C-Stores Improve Hiring and Employee Retention?While large convenience store chains have HR departments, most independents do not. This means that, for owners and managers, hiring…
How Can Independent C-Stores Boost Snack Sales?The advantages that independently owned convenience stores enjoy that allow them to sell more snacks are the same ones that…
Why It’s Important for the Independent C-Store Owner to do a Diagnostic Store AssessmentConducting a diagnostic store assessment is an excellent way to gain opportunistic perspectives for your location. Walking through and evaluating…