Cannabigerol, better known as CBG, is one of more than 120 identified cannabinoid compounds found within cannabis. Other more common cannabinoids obtained from cannabis plants include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBG specifically is the decarboxylated form of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), the parent molecule from which other cannabinoids are synthesized. Because it is present…

It’s a difficult hiring market. Standing out isn’t easy, and sometimes it takes more than competitive wages for retailers to attract and retain top talent. I’ve always been fascinated by those who succeed in creating truly exceptional work environments. That’s why, at a time when brands are scrambling to figure out what they can do,…

Small and medium independent convenience store chains may not have the buying power of large chains, but that doesn’t mean they can’t negotiate for the best deals possible. The key is to make win-win deals, where those on both sides of the table walk away with something that they want, while working to create beneficial…

Labor management is perhaps one of the most fundamental aspects of running a profitable business. Servicing the customer with too few people on staff and sales will be negatively impacted as customers will shop elsewhere. Staff the business with too many people and the profits of the products are quickly lost due to labor expense.…

We all know Americans love chocolate, but non-chocolate candy is a key candy segment as well that continues to offer new innovation for customers. In uncertain times, non-chocolate candies — gum, mints, chewy candy, sour candy, hard candy, novelty non-chocolate, licorice and more — continue to serve as a much-needed emotional salve for tens of…

NA beer stands for non-alcoholic beer. Non-alcoholic beer provides the taste and experience of beer without the alcohol content. There are two ways of making non-alcoholic beer. One method takes an alcoholic beer and essentially boils off the alcohol, while another method prevents alcohol from forming during the fermentation process. Non-alcoholic beers have become more…

The roller grill is a c-store foodservice staple, and Americans’ love of hot dogs and other quick comfort foods remains unmatched. Still, the category took a hit this past year, as parts of the country required self-serve foodservice to halt amid the pandemic. Some retailers paused roller grill sales altogether, while others opted to bring…

The April 2021 deadline for implementing EMV at the pump is now in the rearview mirror. Ahead of the final deadline, which was extended from October 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the c-store industry substantially grew its ability to offer outdoor EMV acceptance. Now, retailers now must turn their focus to implementing another technology…

CBD products are all the rage today. Customers can select from CBD oils, CBD-infused beverages, gummies and chocolate as well as topicals — from muscle rub to lip balm — among other items containing CBD. You’ve probably heard that CBD comes from cannabis, so does that mean it can get you high? CBD (cannabidiol) is…

Altria, Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco (BAT) earned their moniker as Big Tobacco by producing the most popular cigarette brands for decades. Indeed, Altria’s Marlboro has held tight to its reign as the top-selling brand for years, even as the smoking population shrinks. Per Statista in November 2020, Marlboro was the most smoked…