Isabelle Gustafson Associate EditorCStore Decisions Thought Leaders See More >
Isabelle Gustafson Associate Editor
Today on CStore Decisions
EG America Kicks Off SmartPay Fuel Promotion
To increase savings at the pump even more this season, convenience store retailer EG America announced a winter promotion for its SmartPay Rewards app users. Now through Feb. 22, SmartPay app users will get an extra 10 cents off per gallon of fuel, for a total of 20-cents off per gallon, across participating Loaf ‘n…
Beer Sales Balance Out
After a tremendous sales year in 2020, beer sales came back down to earth in 2021 as customers returned to life as usual. According to NielsenIQ Total U.S. Convenience data, total beer sales for the 52 weeks ending Nov. 20, 2021, decreased by 3.6% totaling $19 billion. One year earlier, for the 52 weeks ending…
Kwik Trip Debuts ‘Kwik Spirits’ Brand
La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip announced on social media that the c-store chain has launched a new edition to its family of brands: Kwik Spirits. Kwik Spirits offers products such as wine, liquor, beer and tobacco, which includes humidor cigars, roll-your-own, chewing tobacco, vape products and cigarettes. Kwik Trip, which opened its first store in…
Sinclair Oil Installs Sound Easy Pump at 14 Stations
Sinclair Oil has approved Sound Payments’ Sound Easy Pump and has started installations, making it simple for thousands of stations to become EMV-compliant. “The ease of installation, automatic upgrades, hardware replacement warranty, all-in-one units, excellent reporting and details through the site portal made Sound Easy Pump the best choice,” said Alex Hattenhauer, owner of Hattenhauer…
Should I Sell Boxed Wine in My Convenience Store?
Customers found renewed interested in boxed wines during the height of the pandemic. As COVID-19 began in spring of 2020 and bars and restaurants shutdown in various areas of the country, customers looked to stock up on wine. Three-liter boxes of wine became a popular purchase. Boxed wine’s stay-fresh packaging and value also struck a…
Gate Foundation, K9s for Warriors Team to End Veteran Suicide
The nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs to military veterans, K9s For Warriors, announced a new campaign in partnership with The Gate Foundation to support its mission to end veteran suicide. Until June, Gate coin boxes will be located at cash registers in more than 70 Gate convenience store locations in Florida, Georgia, North…
7-Eleven Adds ‘Spicy Garlic Chicken Roller’ to the Menu
7-Eleven added a new item to its roller grill, available now for a limited time at participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide: the Spicy Garlic Chicken Roller. The Spicy Garlic Chicken Roller has all white meat chicken and a smooth Swiss cheesy blend breaded in a zesty coating packed with bold and satisfying flavors like fiery chilies…
Pride Stores Sold to Arclight Capital Partners
Pride Stores CEO Bob Bolduc announced that he has sold the c-store chain to Arclight Capital Partners. Bolduc told Western Mass News that it was time to sell the company, and that no one in his family has an interest in taking it over. However, Bolduc will continue to serve the brand as a member…
Vroom Delivery Now Offers Direct Bank Purchase Option
Convenience industry e-commerce provider Vroom Delivery has partnered with Trustly, a global leader in online banking payments, to allow consumers to pay directly with their bank accounts when ordering online. Doing so will cut the average processing fees typically paid to credit card networks by more than half. When customers check out on the Vroom…
Dry January’s Popularity Surges
Much of America has returned to a pre-pandemic mindset, despite the COVID-19 surge at the start of the new year. In a survey conducted by CivicScience, following a down year for Dry January participants in 2021, there’s a significant boost in interest among adults who drink alcohol to give it up entirely for the first…
Beverages & Cold Vault See More >
Beer Sales Balance Out
After a tremendous sales year in 2020, beer sales came back down to earth in 2021 as customers returned to life as usual. According to NielsenIQ Total U.S. Convenience data, total beer sales for the 52 weeks ending Nov. 20, 2021, decreased by 3.6% totaling $19 billion. One year earlier, for the 52 weeks ending…
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 >
Kwik Trip Debuts ‘Kwik Spirits’ Brand
La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip announced on social media that the c-store chain has launched a new edition to its family of brands: Kwik Spirits. Kwik Spirits offers products such as wine, liquor, beer and tobacco, which includes humidor cigars, roll-your-own, chewing tobacco, vape products and cigarettes. Kwik Trip, which opened its first store in…
Videos See More >
QuickChek Gives Back Through Check-Out Hunger CampaignCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Heather Stillman, customer experience manager, QuickChek, to learn how the chain…
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…
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 >
Contactless, Self-Checkout TechnologyHanwha Techwin will announce a new range of quick checkout (QCO) solutions for retailers of all sizes at NRF 2022…
Gelato Flavor PairingsUnilever will unveil new Talenti Gelato pairings in February. These flavor combinations will each be packaged in single jars. Talenti…
Coca-Cola with Coffee MochaCoca-Cola with Coffee Mocha will hit shelves next month. Since launching in January 2021, the hybrid innovation has given consumers…
Plant-Based CheesesRich Products expanded its broad portfolio of plant-based offerings with its new Plant-Based Cheese. A vegan, non-dairy alternative to traditional…
Puffy, Airy Cheez-Its CollectionCheez-It is introducing Cheez-It Puff’d for nationwide release this February. A new puffy and airy snack made with 100% real…
Non-Alcoholic, Low-Carb BeerCoors Edge has replaced Coors NA in the brand’s portfolio in an effort to reach the growing number of drinkers…
Kit Kat Strawberry and Dark ChocolateThe Kit Kat brand launched its new Kit Kat Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate, a flavor spin on the classic…
PMTA-Accepted Tobacco and Menthol PodsMYLE Vape can now claim PMTA Accepted product status for its Gold Leaf Tobacco and Blue Leaf Menthol pods. MYLE…
Sugar-Free Raspberry Lemonade Mountain DewMTN DEW released MTN DEW SPARK Zero Sugar. The new raspberry lemonade flavor with zero sugar is the latest addition…
Plant-Based Coffee CreamersChobani released its new plant-based coffee creamers, made with a blend of plant-based ingredients which are vegan-friendly; dairy- and lactose-free;…
Margarita-Inspired Hard SeltzersTruly Hard Seltzer announced the launch of its new Margarita Style Hard Seltzers. Putting Truly’s spin on the traditional margarita,…
Eliminate Entry of Paper InvoicesSuccess Systems has created the industry’s only artificially intelligent solution that allows all retailers to convert paper invoices into EDI…
Independent Operators See More >
How the Independent C-Store Operator Can Become Operationally ExcellentManaging a retail store is tough work. Between operations, merchandising, marketing and facility upkeep, retail business owners have their hands…
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…