When thirsty customers enter convenience stores they have a myriad of beverage options to select from. Shoppers can choose a ready-to-drink beverage from one of several cooler doors, or they can head to the fountain section and pour their own cold or frozen dispensed beverage. The dispensed beverage or fountain area contains a wide variety…

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act became law after it was passed by Congress in 2009, and it went into effect on June 29, 2010. The PACT Act is intended to prevent illegal tobacco sales and tax avoidance. It also prevents cigarettes, smokeless and roll-your-own tobacco products from being shipped via the U.S. Postal…

A global pandemic hasn’t slowed Rusty Lantern Markets’ expansion plans in the Northeast. In 2020, the Brunswick, Maine-based c-store chain opened three locations — one new build and two acquisitions — bringing its total store count to 18 sites in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. In 2021, the chain plans to continue refining its interior…

Once upon a time, convenience store coolers sold mostly soft drinks. Today, customers are demanding a range of beverage options. What’s more, beverage channels are blurring and healthy options and interesting flavor combinations are driving sales. Enter kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea with probiotic and immunity boosting benefits that is often sold in cooler…

Cannabidiol (CBD) beverages and cannabis-infused beverages are a growing trend. Some 23% of consumers report wanting to try CBD beverages and 22% say they want to try CBD-infused foods, according to market research firm Datassential. Still, CBD-infused beverages remain a new concept to most customers. Mike Kostyo, trendologist for Datassential, pointed out that more consumers…

Dandy Mini Marts hosts its Dandy Canes Campaign each holiday season, from Black Friday through Dec. 26. Every dollar raised stays in the community and benefits local organizations. Dandy recently completed its 16th annual Dandy Canes Campaign. Across all 16 years the chain has raised $650,000 for hundreds of organizations in its operating areas. Despite…

As the hard seltzer segment took the alcoholic beverage category by storm, it allowed alcoholic beverage manufacturers a key opportunity to push the limits of innovation into ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail options. And the innovation paid off. The RTD cocktail trend quickly rose to prominence in off-premise channels as customers jumped at the chance to purchase…

Tiger Fuel gives back to the communities where it operates in a wide variety of ways, from helping neighbors secure access to warm, dry housing through its work with local nonprofit Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP) to donations to help with cancer research. CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Sarah Whitney, director…

After decades of serving customers, most legacy c-stores need a refresh. When the time came to raze-and-rebuild its Emmett Street C-Store convenience store in Battle Creek, Mich., Jon Davis, co-president of Davis Oil, sought a clean, modern design that incorporated new departments, as well as an updated logo. Embarking on a rebuild can bring challenges…

Prepaid cards are increasingly popular with customers whether as a means of gift giving or budgeting. Most convenience stores offer a range of physical gift cards — and many are providing an option for digital gift cards as well. Customers can select between two main types of prepaid cards —closed loop or open loop. A…