Even as better-for-you products gain popularity, chips and salty snacks remain top-sellers. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor Between media reports and industry data, it’s clear that today’s consumers want better-for-you (BFY) choices when it comes to snacking. More and more, Americans are looking to replace sugar and fat with protein and all-natural ingredients. On…

While stakeholders await finalization of possible regulatory policies, convenience stores tap into e-tobacco’s vast potential. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor If one were to describe the current state of the e-tobacco industry, “mixed results” might be the most accurate description. On one hand, year-to-year pricing for the past 12 consecutive periods is down, according…

In the fast-growing vaping marketplace, c-stores are discovering where they fit. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor It doesn’t seem that long ago that vaporizers comprised a little-known product category for convenience stores. Really, this segment of the non-combustible electronic nicotine devices (ENDs) industry was just revving up. Today, vapors/tanks/mods (VTMs) have locked onto the…

As vapor becomes more of a pronounced OTP segment, convenience stores are becoming more of a pronounced provider. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor For most convenience stores, VTMs, including open-system vaporizers, tanks and e-liquids, function as a supplement to traditional tobacco sales rather than a specialty item meant to draw in a new customer…

Gum and mints continue to battle for c-store share, but innovation promises to keep variety on the shelves. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor After months of postponements since Hershey first announced it was developing a new mint, the candymaker recently released Ice Breakers Cool Blast Chews—priced at approximately $2 for a 0.8-ounce slide pack…

With tobacco sales picking up, customers are also relying on c-stores for tobacco accessories. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor At an average price of less $2 per unit, tobacco accessories, such as lighters, rolling papers, cigar cutters and pipe accessories, may seem like a low-demand category for convenience stores. However, according to Information Resources…

Automotive and marketing advances are challenging c-store car washes to keep pace. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor The calendar officially states spring has sprung, and residents in the mountains, across the prairies, all the way to the New England coast welcome the reprieve from winter’s harsh grip. Not only did the bitter cold try…

As e-cigarettes continue to generate headlines, c-stores are addressing a maturing product category. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor In 2006, retailers were unsure as to how American consumers would react to a non-combustible smoking product. Would it catch on or taper off as an unsuccessful experiment? Nearly a decade later, the category has more…

While chocolate may be the gift of choice on Valentine’s Day, the sweet treat remains a year-round staple for convenience stores. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor Sales of chocolate bars, chocolate-coated candy or fruit and chocolate bites continue to grow as convenience store customers indulge in their favorite confectionery. In fact, demand for the…