Erin Del Conte Executive EditorCStore Decisions Thought Leaders See More >
Erin Del Conte Executive Editor
Today on CStore Decisions
How Much Space Should I Devote to Wine in My C-Store?
Wine can be a profitable category for convenience store retailers, depending on your market area, but only if it’s done right. Just adding a red and a white wine option isn’t likely to grow sales, especially today when customers’ palates are more sophisticated and they’re eager to taste test new flavors. If you only offer…
QuickChek Gives Back Through Check-Out Hunger Campaign
CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Heather Stillman, customer experience manager, QuickChek, to learn how the chain is giving back to its communities. Stillman talks about QuickChek’s Check-Out Hunger Campaign as well as other initiatives that the chain does throughout the year, such as volunteering at local food banks. Watch the video…
Kum & Go Partners With BLK & Bold Coffee Brand
Kum & Go recently partnered with premium coffee brand BLK & Bold to elevate customers’ coffee options. Currently available at 35 Kum & Go locations in Little Rock, Ark.; Omaha, Neb.; and Des Moines, Iowa, BLK & Bold’s featured roasts are all sustainably grown, small-batch roasted and Fair Trade Certified. “Kum & Go is committed…
Chicken Sales Flying High
C-store retailers are raking in foodservice profits with chicken programs and finding the versatile protein helps make them a destination for food, while opening the door to easy menu expansion. Chicken is more than a part of the foodservice offering at Fremont, Ohio-based FriendShip Food Stores; it is the crux of it, according to Kirk…
Wawa Foundation Contributes $300,000 to Support Special Olympics Athletes
The Wawa Foundation, a non-profit funded by Wawa, has announced it is contributing $250,000 to hometown teams across its chain who are training for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games scheduled for June 5-12, 2022, in Orlando, Fla., with allocations to the state chapters based on store presence. In addition, Wawa made a $50,000 contribution…
Growth Energy Welcomes Michigan Biofuel Bill
National biofuel producers association Growth Energy applauded a proposal to expand access to lower-cost, lower-emissions biofuel blends at the pump in Michigan. Legislation offered this week by Michigan State Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Kevin Daley, R-Lum, would establish a retailer tax incentive for higher ethanol blends, specifically a tax credit of $0.05 per gallon on…
Refuel Funded to Continue Expansion Strategy
The successful closing of First Reserve Refuel Fund has provided Refuel, a buy-and-build platform with over 170 operated convenience stores located across the Southeastern U.S., a $511 million capital influx. The Fund provides additional dry powder for Refuel to continue pursuing its acquisition-driven growth strategy. The Fund was led by the Goldman Sachs Asset Management…
FDA Director Provides Update on Federal Tobacco Regulations
On Dec. 2, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products Director Mitch Zeller presented a live webinar on FDA tobacco regulations. The presentation focused on premarket tobacco applications (PMTA), the new graphic cigarette health warnings and synthetic nicotine products, and gave insights into what might await the category in the new…
7-Eleven International Names Ken Wakabayashi Co-CEO
7-Eleven announced Ken Wakabayashi as the new co-CEO of 7-Eleven International (7IN), following his now prior role as 7-Eleven’s senior vice president and head of International. Wakabayashi will now lead the 7-Eleven brand’s global growth strategy alongside co-CEO Shinji Abe from Seven-Eleven Japan. “We are thrilled to offer our congratulations to Ken Wakabayashi on this…
Sound Payments Offering Same-Day EMV Upgrade for Independents
Jacksonville, Fla.-based digital fuel payment and forecourt consultants Sound Payments recently announced a new promotion to help encourage independent stations to upgrade their pumps to accept EMV/chip cards and prevent fraudulent activity. The promotion also works in conjunction with station marketers, servicers and resellers, and provides 50% off installation costs. “Station owners are busy, multitaskers…
Beverages & Cold Vault See More >
How Much Space Should I Devote to Wine in My C-Store?
Wine can be a profitable category for convenience store retailers, depending on your market area, but only if it’s done right. Just adding a red and a white wine option isn’t likely to grow sales, especially today when customers’ palates are more sophisticated and they’re eager to taste test new flavors. If you only offer…
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“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 >
FDA Director Provides Update on Federal Tobacco Regulations
On Dec. 2, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products Director Mitch Zeller presented a live webinar on FDA tobacco regulations. The presentation focused on premarket tobacco applications (PMTA), the new graphic cigarette health warnings and synthetic nicotine products, and gave insights into what might await the category in the new…
Videos See More >
Proprietary C-Store Products: Gummy Pizza, Green Juice and MoreC-stores nationwide — Casey’s, 7-Eleven, TXB, Sheetz and more — are offering an increasing selection of proprietary products, from classic…
Weigel’s Celebrates 24th Annual ‘Weigel’s Family Christmas’CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Kurt Weigel, the HR recruiting manager for Weigel’s, to learn more…
Quicklee’s Supports Toys for Tots CampaignQuicklee’s is once again acting as a drop-off location sponsor for the local News 10 NBC and Marine Corps Reserve…
Taste Testing Java Monster FlavorsCStore Decisions’ Editorial Assistant Emmy Boes taste tests three Java Monster flavors.
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…
C-Store Resources See More >
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…
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 >
Nutri-Grain Bars and BitesKellogg’s recently released Nutri-Grain Strawberry & Squash and Apple & Carrot soft-baked breakfast bars and Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Chocolatey Banana Bites…
CBD Pet Care CollectionSky Wellness recently relaunched its pet CBD wellness collection, D Oh Gee. The updated line features broad-spectrum, U.S.-grown and manufactured…
Ranch Water Hard SeltzerTopo Chico Hard Seltzer launched its highly anticipated Topo Chico Ranch Water Hard Seltzer in select regional markets and its…
Non-Dairy and Gluten-Free Ice Cream FlavorsBen & Jerry’s added two more core flavors to its extensive collection of certified vegan, non-dairy choices. Non-Dairy Boom Chocolatta…
Cookies ‘N’ Creme Candy BunniesHershey brands are moving right into the 2022 holidays to introduce new treats for Valentine’s Day and Easter while also…
High-Capacity Oil Dispensing SystemFrontline International is introducing a new, higher-capacity version of the EZ Fresh Oil Dispensing System, which will dramatically increase the…
Limited-Edition Gummy BearsHaribo is celebrating the 100th birthday of its original sweet treat, Goldbears. Haribo will mark the Goldbears birthday celebration with…
Non-Alcoholic Beer With Vitamin DCorona announced the new Corona Sunbrew 0.0%. This non-alcoholic beer contains 30% of the daily value of vitamin D per…
Layered Potato Chip BitesLay’s is introducing a brand-new product line this month: Lay’s Layers. Lay’s Layers contains bite-sized, multi-dimensional potato bites with flavorful…
Maduro CigarsThe Rocky Patel Freedom brand of cigars from Santa Clara received a maduro version this year, now available. Handcrafted at…
Valentine’s Day-Themed Candy Fans and GummiesCandyRific will soon be offering Valentine’s Day products. The Sweet Squad Candy Fans are colorful Kittycorn Mermaid, Unicorn, Llama and…
Non-Alcoholic Water With HopsHOP WTR released its non-alcoholic brew of crisp, bold hops; sparkling water; and mood-boosting ingredients in Classic, Blood Orange, Mango…
Independent Operators See More >
Strong November for Independent, Small-Format RetailersThe U.S. Travel Association reported that Thanksgiving weekend travel almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, only 4% below 2019. Travel and…
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…