As the U.S. Senate holds confirmation hearings on another term for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, the Merchants Payments Coalition this week called on the Fed to finalize its proposal making it clear that merchants can choose which payment networks process debit card transactions and to also update its out-of-date debit card swipe fee regulations.…
Monster Beverage Dives Into the Alcohol Market
Monster Beverage Corp. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire craft beer and hard seltzer company CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective for $330 million in cash. The transaction will bring the Cigar City (Jai Alai IPA and Florida Man IPA), Oskar Blues (Dale’s Pale Ale and Wild Basin Hard Seltzer), Deep Ellum…
BIC Releases New Snoop and Martha EZ Reach Ad
BIC is lighting up the new year and continuing its partnership with celeb icons Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart with the launch of a new advertising spot for BIC EZ Reach lighters, the ultimate lighter for all occasions. In the lighthearted spot titled “Turkey,” Snoop and Martha use EZ Reach to showcase the lighter’s versatility…
Growth Energy Welcomes Michigan Biofuel Bill
National biofuel producers association Growth Energy applauded a proposal to expand access to lower-cost, lower-emissions biofuel blends at the pump in Michigan. Legislation offered this week by Michigan State Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Kevin Daley, R-Lum, would establish a retailer tax incentive for higher ethanol blends, specifically a tax credit of $0.05 per gallon on…
Sound Payments Offering Same-Day EMV Upgrade for Independents
Jacksonville, Fla.-based digital fuel payment and forecourt consultants Sound Payments recently announced a new promotion to help encourage independent stations to upgrade their pumps to accept EMV/chip cards and prevent fraudulent activity. The promotion also works in conjunction with station marketers, servicers and resellers, and provides 50% off installation costs. “Station owners are busy, multitaskers…
Are CBD Gummies Different From Soft Chews?
Cannabidiol (CBD) gummies and soft chews share more in common than they differ. Both resemble edible candies containing CBD that come in a wide variety of flavors, shapes and sizes. And because gummies and soft chews mimic candy, that makes either a good entry product for new CBD consumers. Soft chews are similar to gummies…
S. Abraham & Sons Set for Annual Trade Show
S. Abraham & Sons, a subsidiary of Imperial Trading Co., will host its 36th Annual Vendor Exhibit & Trade Show in 2022 with a hybrid of in-person and online ordering. SAS is celebrating 95 years in February 2022 and the show theme reflects the anniversary: “Celebrating 95 years of Monopolizing Profits for the Convenience Store…
GPM Reinstates Skill Gaming Terminals in Virginia Stores
GPM Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of ARKO Corp., announced the reinstallation of its skill gaming terminals in 65 fas mart, Apple Market and Roadrunner Markets stores. GPM’s skill gaming terminals were introduced in the summer of 2019 but were put on hold last year due to evolving legislation in electronic skill gaming. The gaming…
Core-Mark to Be Exclusive Cuties Three-Pack Distributor
Furthering its commitment to providing Fresh Solutions Delivered, Core-Mark International has become the exclusive distributor of three-pack bags of Cuties – America’s original clementine brand – to the convenience retail market. With Core-Mark and Eby-Brown joining forces as the largest convenience distributor in the U.S., the distribution of the three-pack bags of Cuties will expand…
Restaurant Holiday Gift Card Sales Jumped 43% in 2021
Digital guest experience platform Paytronix Systems Inc. released a preliminary analysis of restaurant holiday gift card sales, which suggests a return to normal for some brands and predicts a strong start to 2022. Early indicators show this season finishing slightly ahead of 2019, the last year before the pandemic; but when looking one step deeper, the data suggests…