Renewable energy plans and the continued turn toward LED lights marks an ongoing shift for retailers toward a higher focus on lighting and energy efficiency goals. Jackson, Ky.-based Go Time, which operates seven stores in Kentucky, has built six new stores since 2016, all of which incorporate LED lights. Go Time is currently building its…
Alternatives, Flavors Add Excitement to Milk Category
“The story for milk in c-stores is the same for dairy across the industry — alternatives, alternatives, alternatives,” said Mike Kostyo, trendologist for Datassential. “All of the fastest-growing milks across the industry are alternative and plant-based milk options.” C-stores are noticing and testing the trend. High’s, with more than 54 c-stores in Maryland and Pennsylvania,…
Flavors, Pandemic Precautions Boost Dispensed Beverage Sales
Growth is expected for the cold and frozen dispensed beverage category in 2022. While the segment saw dips due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health precautions in the self-serve section of c-stores are giving customers the confidence to return to the segment. “Once customers saw that we were taking extra precautions, it really made them feel…
C-Stores Integrating Frictionless Checkout
As technology evolves, the point of sale (POS) is transforming also. POS systems are becoming more lightweight, and the overall hardware cost is decreasing, with many of the newer POS systems using cloud technology, said Perry Kramer, managing partner with retail consulting firm Retail Consulting Partners. “The use of cloud technology, in most cases, reduces…
High Hopes for Meat Snacks Despite Price Increases
Meat snack growth prospects look high for 2022. According to Packaged Facts, retail sales of meat snacks will rise by 12% in 2022. In the 52 weeks ending Jan. 1, 2022, meat snack dollar sales soared by 19.5% to $1.96 billion, based on Nielsen Total U.S. Convenience data, which is a jump from the previous…
Prepaid Shows Promise
Prepaid card sales are on the rise, and digital or ‘virtual’ prepaid cards continue to trend. The U.S. prepaid card market grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% from 2017-2022, according to Researchandmarket.com’s report “United States Prepaid Card and Digital Wallet Business and Investment Opportunities Databook – Market Size and Forecast, Consumer…
Automate Pricebook Management With a Virtual Employee
The advent of pricebook automation is here, and this will be as historically transformational as the transition from pump attendants to self-serve gas was for our industry. The first helped foster the universal emergence of convenience to the retail petroleum landscape, while the other will effectively automate many of the labor-intensive functions currently required to…
C-Stores Embrace Electronic Payments
C-store technology is rapidly expanding, and nowhere is that more evident than in the realm of electronic payments. “There are several trends that we have seen accelerate over the last year,” said Perry Kramer, managing partner with retail consulting firm Retail Consulting Partners. “One of the largest accelerations we have seen is in the use…
Huck’s Market Elevates Food
Following its rebrand as Huck’s Market in 2020, Huck’s has been busy redesigning stores, growing its foodservice menu and investing in new technology, including self-checkout and frictionless payments. Carmi, Ill.-based Huck’s can trace its roots to 1960 when founders Frank Bayley and Bob Martin partnered to open Big John supermarkets. They grew the business from…
The 2022 Category Management Handbook
After two full years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent omicron variant surge, uncertainty along with supply chain issues and labor shortages remain, yet convenience store retailers are cautiously optimistic about what 2022 has in store. A number of categories have recovered from pandemic lows, while some that enjoyed a robust pandemic boost —…