While these difficult economic times continue to peck away at customers’ disposable income, higher fuel prices are eroding discretionary spending. Gasoline prices nationally have increased steadily since the Biden Administration came into office, rising nearly $1.40 to an average of $3.41 for a gallon of regular unleaded, according to the AAA Gas Prices index at…
Stewart’s Shops Raises Funds With Chowder
Stewart’s Shops served its all-new Southwest Corn Chowder at the Saratoga Chowder Fest on Feb. 11, totaling over 750 bowls of the creamy corn chowder served. The chain raised $1,545 at the event and presented a check to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York to support its mission to feed those in need.…
NAG to Offer Store Tours
The 2023 National Advisory Group (NAG) Conference, to be held in Austin, Texas, from March 26-29, will offer a wealth of activities for c-store retailers to broaden their network and research opportunities. Amid the educational sessions, Information Exchanges and receptions, NAG 2023 will also offer attendees the option to participate in store tours. On March…
Sheetz Appoints New Board of Directors Chairman
Sheetz announced Joe Sheetz has been appointed as chairman of the Sheetz board of directors, effective immediately. Joe, who was previously executive vice chairman, served as Sheetz’s president and CEO from 2013 to 2018 and served solely as CEO until December 2021. Joe was succeeded by his brother Travis Sheetz as CEO in January 2022.…
Candy Sales Climb as Prices Rise
C-store retailers saw sales increase across chocolate and non-chocolate in 2022 and are optimistic about the candy sales outlook for 2023, despite price increases and supply chain woes. Heading into 2023, “despite severe out of stocks, candy sales are stronger than ever,” said Eric Patterson, merchandising manager for Beacon & Bridge Market, which operates 25…
Store Brand Sales Rise
According to the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), private brand sales hit a new record last year, jumping 11.3% to a whopping $228.6 billion in all outlets in the U.S. for the 52 weeks ending Jan. 1, 2023, versus the prior year. Store brands performed so well that they grew at nearly twice the rate of…
TravelCenters of America Opens Full-Service Restaurant
TravelCenters of America (TA) recently opened a new self-service restaurant called Fork & Compass. On Feb. 22, TA hosted a formal ribbon-cutting celebration for the restaurant, which opened in January at the Petro Stopping Center in Perrysburg, Ohio. The Fork & Compass concept was created to provide a reimagined experience for professional drivers, motorists and…
Leveraging Loyalty Programs at Convenience Stores
Convenience store retailers work hard to drive customer loyalty and to ensure their customers value their rewards program. Personalization is a growing trend today in loyalty programs as c-store retailers look to tailor promotions and rewards to customer preferences. Case in point: in November of last year, Findlay, Ohio-based Marathon Petroleum Corp. announced a pilot…
FDA Files Complaints Against Four E-Cigarette Product Manufacturers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has filed civil money penalty (CMP) complaints against four tobacco product manufacturers. The complaints were for manufacturing and selling e-liquids without marketing authorization. This is the first time the FDA has filed CMP complaints against tobacco product manufacturers to enforce the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act’s…
Love’s Musket Expands European Operations
Love’s Travel Stops’ Musket Corp. announced the establishment of its European operations with headquarters in Geneva. Musket Europe SARL will extend Musket’s established commodity supply and logistics platform, providing relief for the ongoing instability in global fuel supply chains. “We are pleased to see Musket Europe become a reality at such a unique time in…