There was a time when digitizing the back office for a retailer meant installing point-of-sale (POS) units to replace cash registers. Today, the term can include nearly the full scope of operations for a store — and a chain. Art Sebastian, vice president of digital customer experience with Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s, which operates more than…

C-store staples like subs and pizza remain customer favorites for lunch and dinner alike, while limited menu items keep go-to foodservice forms fresh year-round. Market research firm Datassential confirms limited-time offers (LTOs) have big potential for the channel: Most consumers are interested, yet few c-stores offer them, according to Datassential’s 2021 report, “Convenience Stores: a…

The packaged beverage category at convenience stores is seeing strong sales growth in 2021, driven partly by ongoing beverage innovation, including new flavor options. Retailers are seeing increased customer demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee, energy drinks and sparkling waters, as customers seek out beverages they perceive as healthier or energy-boosting. Total RTD beverage sales increased…

More than ever before, consumers are planning ahead for Thanksgiving by shopping early for key items, according to Chicago-based consumer, retail and media market watcher IRI Worldwide’s latest insights on Thanksgiving-related grocery trends. “The latest data also shows that shopping habits vary widely among consumers of different demographics, primarily across age groups and household income levels,”…

With fresh prepared foodservice, bean-to-cup coffee and newly upgraded fuel pumps, Wesco Inc.’s Champlain Farms is set to open its 41st c-store location this spring as the company celebrates more than 50 years as a family-owned business. Now, the third generation of the family business is stepping into leadership roles at the South Burlington, Vt.-based…

Longtime residents on the tobacco back bar, premium and domestic cigars, along with flavored cigarillos, have always fared well for convenience stores. But no one could have predicted just how much this other tobacco product (OTP) segment would prosper under COVID-19 restrictions. For nearly two years, cigars have produced notable profits, and it’s a trend…

I sat down to write this column after honoring Yesway as our 2021 Convenience Store Chain of the Year at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show in Chicago. It felt so good to be out with the industry again and to recognize the hard work all retail chains have done these past 12…

Outstanding leadership, great stores, a distinguished brand and a commitment to treating your people with class and dignity deserves recognition, and CStore Decisions has been proud to shine a light on companies that meet these high standards for the past 32 years. Over the past two years, Yesway, now headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, has…

Congress is planning to make a number of “adjustments” to our basic income and estate taxes, changes that will purportedly impact several commonly used estate planning strategies. That means most convenience store owners, operators, franchisees and executives should get their house in order in preparation for increased federal estate taxes. After months of proposals for…

It’s football season, so let’s approach in-store merchandising, layout and adjacencies in the context of football. Guests entering your store most often have a primary need (goal) in mind when they arrive. It’s likely this goal falls into one of three categories — hungry, thirsty or comfort. Think of them finishing the quest to satisfy…