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 are seeing success with cannabidiol (CBD) in 2022, despite overall dollar sales dips around 20%, according to IRI U.S. convenience data for the latest 52 weeks ending Dec. 26, 2021. “What we saw in 2021 was not as explosive of growth in the market compared to years past,” noted Brightfield Group Senior Insights Manager…

Sandwiches account for at least 25% of the foodservice offerings at Nittany Oil’s MiniMart, which operates 27 stores in Pennsylvania, said Angela Gearhart, the chain’s food service category manager. The category keeps growing for the stores and continued to do so on the premade grab-and-go side even during the pandemic. Sandwich consumption has remained steady…

The $3.1 billion chocolate candy category showed healthy growth across dollar sales, units sold and volume for the latest 52 weeks ending Dec. 26, 2021, according to IRI. Category total dollar sales were up 8.9%, and units increased 4.7%. Bigger sizes (greater than 3.5 ounces) were the clear winners, with dollar sales up 15% and…

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…

C-stores face the old conundrum with both hard seltzer and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails: Consumers want old favorites, but they also want exciting new brands and line extensions. IRI numbers for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 26, 2021, show the hard seltzer category at c-stores with sales of more than $2.1 billion, an increase of 25.9%…

For generations, the roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco segment’s major competitor for consumers’ cash was mass-produced cigarettes, cigars and moist chew or snus. In recent years, competition in the tobacco sector has increased, as the category today also includes vape and modern oral nicotine items.  There’s also increased competition from the cannabis market. Some 18 states have…

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…

During the height of the pandemic, one bakery segment that remained a constant for Rutter’s convenience stores was doughnuts. “With so many supply chain hurdles, our bakery case has evolved throughout the year, but doughnuts remained the king of the category,” said Joseph Bortner, center store category manager for the chain, which operates 79 locations…

Energy shot sales are up, but competition in the segment remains fierce from a bevy of new product innovations as well as from energy drinks. Energy shots had a strong year in 2021, and while their growth in sales should continue in 2022, that pace is expected to slow to the 4-8% range, according to…