The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief – will increase for Fiscal Year 2022 beginning on Oct. 1, 2021. As directed by…

Self-service payment technology and secure customer engagement solutions provider Invenco has partnered with Centrapay to enable their pay-at-pump terminals to accept next-generation payments. Centrapay and Invenco are both New Zealand-based companies with a shared commitment to open platform systems which generate increased consumer and retailer opportunities. The integration between Centrapay’s Merchant Payments system and Invenco’s…

Summer means hot weather and thirsty customers looking to cool down and enjoy the season. It’s prime time to move non-alcoholic beverages while those seasonal customers are in the c-store. These are our top tips for boosting summer beverage sales. 1. Stock Variety Today’s customers want options. To position your store as a destination for…

CITGO Petroleum Corp. reported its second quarter 2021 performance results, including net income of $3 million, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $214 million and  adjusted EBITDA of $208 million, marking the company’s first profitable quarter since the third quarter of 2019. “Given the multiple challenges we have faced during 2020 and…

A year following its August 2020 acquisition of Mechanical Servants, dba Convenience Valet (CV), Lil’ Drug Store Products Inc. is poised to take full advantage of the combined strengths of the two companies in an economy that is fast recovering and bringing new life to the on-the-go marketplace, including travel, hospitality and convenience store retailers,…

Dunkin’ is turning up the pumpkin heat earlier than ever with its new fall menu, beginning Aug. 18. Pumpkin picking season is giving Dunkin’ fans the chance to pick from the brand’s latest lineup, with an iconic pumpkin pair, new Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, as well as classic Pumpkin Flavored…

Ethanol trade association Growth Energy announced the addition of its newest producer plant member, CHS Global Grain & Processing. The addition brings Growth Energy’s membership to a total of 91 producer plant members and 8.8 billion gallons represented out of the total U.S. annual ethanol production. CHS joined Growth Energy as an associate member in 2009. CHS is a…

Enon, Ohio-based convenience store chain Speedway, recently purchased by 7-Eleven, is selling off 166 former service station, retail development sites and undeveloped land sites in 22 states. The properties are being sold individually through a sealed bid auction through Chicago-based NRC Realty & Capital Advisors. Some of the properties have small buildings on them. Properties…

ARKO Corp., owner of convenience store chain GPM Investments, announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021. Come key highlights of ARKO’s second quarter: Operating income of $45.8 million for the quarter compared to $47.7 million in second quarter of 2020 Net income for the quarter of $25.6 million compared to $32.5…

The second quarter of this year reflects a period during which state and local governments lifted pandemic restrictions, restaurants reopened, people got vaccinated and consumers used restaurants more than they did throughout the pandemic, reports The NPD Group. Consumer spending at restaurants was up 32% in the April-May-June 2021 quarter compared to the same quarter…