When it comes to the cigar category, c-store retailers are watching regulatory headwinds at the local, state and federal levels as legislatures increasingly target flavored tobacco. A ban on flavored cigars would clearly change the dynamic of the tobacco category at convenience stores.  The good news is, despite the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) releasing…

The short answer to the question “Can ATMs cash checks?” is — yes. However, not all ATMs in America can process the transaction. Some permit deposits of checks only, and others not even that. Many convenience stores offer ATMs. Check cashing at the ATM can provide a value-added experience for c-store customers, who might come…

Car washes are consistent money makers for c-stores, but evaluating how much revenue car washes can generate hinges on a range of factors from the type of car wash to the site’s location. The car wash business is certainly resilient. The International Carwash Association (ICA) released its latest survey of car wash consumer expectations on…

The latest pandemic surge may have faded, but many of the habits Americans developed over the past two years remain, including how they snack. Not only are customers snacking more, but they show an increased desire for larger packs of jerky and more individually packaged snack items.  Meat snacks fit well within the way consumers want…

Packaged sandwiches are a hot seller in the grab-and-go section of convenience stores. Growing sales in this segment requires attention to best practices. Ed Kashouty, the owner of Lakewood Exxon in Lakewood N.J., who has been selling packaged sandwiches in his stores for more than 25 years, advised sticking to the basics. “Investigate and research…

Many convenience stores sell beer, but some savvy retailers have made their stores destinations for cold beer sales, resulting in increased revenue. Growing beer sales at your convenience store can be accomplished in a variety of ways. First, know what brands are most popular. According to IRI, for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 26, 2021,…

Americans love wine, and they increasingly love buying it in convenience stores. How can convenience stores can sell even more of it? It really isn’t difficult in most cases. Wine is a great profit center and a growing category for many operators today. There is a plentiful supply of quality wine available that allows for…

Between dire news reports, lockdowns, mask mandates, vaccine injections, glass partitions, social distancing, working from home, shuttered schools, and friends and relatives actually contracting COVID-19, it’s not hard to see why consumers needed to reach for something sweet during the pandemic. And they did. As the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) pointed out, “Americans…

There is little doubt that 2021 was a historic year for the convenience store industry. But far more important than simply recapping its major events is analyzing them to accurately forecast the events of 2022. Here are six vital areas that influenced the c-store landscape in 2021, and will again in the new year:  Mergers…

As the potato chip category stages a post-pandemic comeback, the most popular items continue to be those that feature spicy, dramatic flavors and/or are perceived as a healthier choice. Chips are a c-store staple, of course, but COVID-19 put a solid dent in the business. Sales within convenience stores declined in 2020 primarily because pandemic-related…