As cigarette prices rise, margin stress on retailers remains. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor With cigarette consumption likely to continue to decline in the mid-single-digit range, pricing remains a crucial factor for retailers, and one that convenience store operators are watching with great interest. The Big Three U.S. tobacco manufacturers—Lorillard Inc., Philip Morris USA and…

As big tobacco embraces the market, consumers are seeking a broader array of vaping products. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Savvy convenience store operators are taking stock in consumers’ growing hunger for tobacco alternatives, which is widening to include more than just electronic cigarettes. While best sellers like Lorillard Tobacco’s blu, Logic, NJOY, R.J. Reynolds’…

As sales chug along, energy drinks continue to be an influential driver in the beverage market. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor The energy category continues to be a staple of the convenience store mix. And while top-selling brands such as Red Bull and Monster remain on top, consumers are coming to look for new flavors…

Despite the popularity of electronic cigarettes and the gloominess of regulatory concerns, smokeless tobacco continues to be a significant seller for convenience stores. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Because smoking restrictions have increased and the sale of cigarettes continues to decline across the U.S., it’s not surprising that smokeless tobacco sales have remained on an…

C-stores search for the key to unlocking the marketability of e-cigars. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Electronic cigarette sales are soaring and the vapor tank-mods business is growing. But when it comes to e-cigars, convenience store operators may find unlocking their untapped potential a challenge. While e-cigarettes are sometimes used as a buffer against traditional…

For convenience stores that sell cigars, it’s business as usual—at least until regulators say otherwise. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Now that the comment period on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) deeming regulations has passed, only time will tell what restrictions might affect the cigar segment, which is still alive and well. A…

Roller grill food offerings can always be improved, but never at the expense of freshness and quality. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Lunch and dinner programs that present convenience store customers with a variety of roller grill options and more meal options are effective ways to build foodservice sales. In fact, fresh, savory items, such…

When it comes to tastier and more nutritious pizza, consumers want their pie and they want it fresh. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor American consumers have always expected to have their cake and eat it, too. That also apply to pie—as in pizza pie. Americans might love pizza, but they also desire healthy, lower-calorie options.…

Vaping products are helping offset declining cigarette sales. Howard Riell, Associate Editor With cigarette sales continuing their seemingly irreversible decline, c-store operators are making up lost dollars with electronic cigarettes and, most recently, refillable vapor tanks. Driving that business forward, however, is a bit trickier than traditional cigarettes, requiring better merchandising and an increased knowledge…

Declining sales, consolidation and consumer alternatives pose challenges for retailers who rely on cigarette sales to maintain margins. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Cigarettes Are still a vital c-store category despite recent declining sales. Restrictive regulations and new competition in the form of both dollar stores and alternative products like e-cigarettes and vapor tanks are…