In a year in which consumers generated strong other-than-tobacco numbers, smokeless tobacco outperformed industry forecasts in 2015. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor While the number of U.S. smokers still lags that of years past and legislators continue to debate  how to legislate the vapor and e-cigarette markets, other tobacco products (OTPs) such as chewing…

Despite banking on cigar sales, more and more convenience stores face the fallout of local ordinances restricting consumer use. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor Last fall, Cleveland officials introduced proposed regulations to ban all flavored tobacco products throughout the city except at tobacco shops. Officials also wanted to raise the minimum purchasing age to…

Despite lagging industry-wide sales in 2015, some e-cigarette brands are primed to post impressive numbers this year. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor Year-end figures confirmed what many convenience store operators have guessed for some time: the allure of non-combustible tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers, has been burning lower than a few years ago.…

From corporate acquisitions and collaborations to local and state regulatory enforcement, it’s been an eventful year for e-tobacco products. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor Nearing the end of 2013, sales of e-cigarettes and vapors/tanks/mods (VTMs) were riding high for convenience stores and other tobacco retailers. As reported by Wells Fargo, unit growth of e-cigarettes for…

Kwik Trip’s Steve Loehr has embraced the ideals of health and freshness, helping usher in a new era for the c-store industry. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor In the 25 years since Steve Loehr joined Kwik Trip Inc., the La Crosse, Wis.-based convenience retailer has experienced extraordinary growth, reaching numerous corporate milestones. Today, Loehr,…

After years of stellar growth, the vapor products category responds to changing marketplace dynamics. With one eye on the market, convenience retailers constantly weigh how much shelf space to allot e-cigarettes. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor When industry analysts announce in July that a product category is on track for a growth rate of…

Variety and customization help coffee sales to continue to grow. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor Whether it’s the desire for a jolt of caffeine in the morning or craving a specialty hot beverage as an afternoon pick-me-up, coffee remains a top beverage choice for consumers. The 2014 National Coffee Drinking Trends (NCDT) survey, produced by…

As more consumers shun carbonated soda, teas and juices are at the ready to quench c-stores’ thirst for category profits. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor Of the top 10 merchandise categories in 2014 that demonstrated monthly strength in sales and margin percentage per the average store, tobacco was tops, followed by packaged beverages. According to…

Summer temps aren’t the only weather occurrences affecting car wash sales this year. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor What a difference a few thousand miles makes. While Californians face strict water restrictions, residents throughout the South and Midwest are cleaning up after record-breaking spring and summer flooding. Ironically, these divergent weather conditions are stirring…

Can meat snacks continue to serve up healthy sales for c-stores? By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor “High in protein.” “Natural ingredients.” “Low sugar.” Analysts insist these are some of the top buzz descriptors that today’s consumers look for when contemplating snacking options. Even popular workout programs like P90X push high-protein meal plans and trending…