At Chicago area Wal-Mart stores, shoppers are finding Coke cases at a special price: 24 cans for $5, the Chicago Tribune reported. The 20 cents per can price demonstrates Wal-Mart’s purchasing power, and is less than good news for the beverage industry, where after higher bottling prices and 10 years of stagnant pricing beverage companies…

Thirteen years after the energy drink market emerged in the U.S. with the introduction of Red Bull, the category remains popular with consumers, who are willing to pay higher prices in a difficult economy for an extra jolt.  But while Mintel reported in July 2009 that the energy drink market had climbed to an estimated…

The first gas island vending solution now is available at selected WilcoHess locations in North Carolina. WilcoHess LLC, an operator of travel plazas and convenience stores in the Southeastern U.S., has collaborated with Allied Electronics, a provider of service station automation systems, The Pinnacle Corp., an automation technology and software supplier, and Vendgogh LLC, a…

U.S. consumers remain somewhat cautious about their alcohol beverage spending, the Nielsen Company reported this month. Nielsen’s research revealed that a significant percentage of consumers claim they are going out less often now than before the economic downturn. Nearly half of consumers (47%) report going to bars or clubs less often, while an even greater…

Heineken, the top-selling European import beer in the U.S., unveiled the details of its ‘Plug into Summer’ on-premise initiative that invites consumers to enjoy Heineken and Heineken Light through interactive music experiences that connect them to all that Heineken’s fully integrated off-the-chart “Plug into Summer” program has to offer. Heineken’s “Plug into Summer” program combines…

Creating the many flavors of 7-Eleven Slurpees is a sophisticated process. That’s why at the Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS) Group Research & Development Center’s Plano, Texas, headquarters, a cadre of scientists, engineers, technical specialists, researchers and marketers work with the 7-Eleven Inc. Slurpee product team on the year-round job of keeping new flavors in the…

Quick Chek has announced the results to its “Name it…Claim it” contest, where consumers entered names for the chain’s frozen beverage line during a contest held August and September of 2009. Francis LaMonica of Tinton Falls, N.J., won the contest with her suggested name  “Quick Freeze,” which nods both to the name of the chain…

At the NACS State of the Industry Summit in Chicago this week, Matt McCourt, director of Convenience / Spirits for SymphonyIRI Group, spoke on the new products in the c-store channel drawing the most excitement from consumers. Topping the list by Symphony IRI of the top new items in total U.S. c-stores for the 13…

While frozen dispensed beverages are not a huge portion of the typical store’s overall sales, the product is proving to be quite profitable, thanks to a gross margin north of 50%. Although the slush-style drink was a c-store original, other retailers recognized its potential, and today, frozen beverages with a variety of names and logos…

McDonald’s is vying to become a beverage destination for customers with discount fountain deals this summer, the Wall Street Journal reported. In summers past the QSR chain has offered large sweet tea for only $1, with most of its markets participating in the promotion. This summer, McDonald’s wants to go a step further, selling more…