Retailers are investing more in hot dispensed beverage programs that reflect the consumers’ growing penchant for espresso-based coffee offerings, flavorful teas and more choices. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Wawa Inc. is known for its proprietary coffee, especially to its customers—one of every two are said to purchase a hot beverage every time they enter…

As adult beverage preferences evolve, convenience stores are tapping into specialty beer trends. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Studies show craft beer is not only good for overall industry volume, but is re-energizing beer lovers, bringing new people into the beer category. Seasonals, variety packs, ambers, pale ales and wheat beers not only hold the…

A campaign designed to provide support to area residents is enlisting the help of willing convenience stores. By David Bennett, Senior Editor With the help of local, nonprofit partners and a major U.S. pizza distributor, several c-stores have gotten into the spirit of giving in a big way as part of a regional charitable program.…

Walmart’s prototype convenience store in Bentonville, Ark. reflects a shift in strategy for the retailer, but will it be a game changer for the industry? By David Bennett, Senior Editor As vehicles navigate under the shiny white fuel station canopy, the eye goes immediately to the yellow columns designed to mimic the burst of petals…

When mulling food packaging options, label appeal and on-the-go performance are important considerations. By David Bennett, Senior Editor At a time when consumers increasingly perceive private label, food retail brands as competitive with big-name brands in terms of cost and quality, innovative packaging solutions can add value to a convenience store’s take out food program.…

Millennials are the No. 1 consumers of craft beers, much to the delight of convenience stores that are growing their adult beverage business through specialty ale sales. By David Bennett, Senior Editor North Carolina’s capital city of Raleigh might have remained a beer backwater had it not been for the grassroots lobbying group Pop the…

More convenience store chains like CST Brands are banking on master limited partnerships to improve their position in a widely-fragmented industry. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Acquisitions have always played a strategic role in the convenience store industry. Take for example CST Brands Inc., which last month entered into an agreement to acquire the convenience…

Walmart’s prototype convenience store in Bentonville, Ark. reflects a shift  in strategy for the retailer, but will it be a game changer for the industry? By David Bennett, Senior Editor As vehicles navigate under the shiny white fuel station canopy, the eye goes immediately to the yellow columns designed to mimic the burst of petals…

C-stores like Wawa and Tedeschi are meeting customer expectations with innovative food offerings. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Ed Burcher, principal and president of Burcher Consulting, has studied principles and developed strategies of how convenience stores can improve their foodservice programs that will appeal to customers’ changing tastes, and add to a company’s bottom line.…

C-store executives explain how a self-distribution model can cut out the middle man, helping your chain cut costs. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Todd Jenney, president and CEO of North Carmi, Ill.-based Huck’s Convenience Stores, remembered that the company’s first warehouse operation ran from the back of Huck’s first store. Now with a 93,000-square-foot building…