Thorntons has announced its new College Football Cup Challenge, taking place in Louisville, Ky., southern Indiana, and Lexington, Ky., store locations. The promotion began on Saturday, Sept. 4, coinciding with the college football game between the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. Thorntons’ stores now feature new 32-ounce fountain cups that say “Bleed…

Mexican Coke, now becoming more widely available in the U.S., is developing a cult following among consumers, The Grand Rapids Press reported. “(Mexican Coke) seemed so much better,” one consumer told the newspaper, adding, “It’s just not as fizzy or harsh tasting.”  She’s not alone in her opinion. A Facebook page dedicated to the drink…

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…

Energy by the Numbers Although 2009 was the second year in a row of unusual weakness in liquid refreshment beverages’ performance, the worst may be over, said Michael Bellas, chairman and CEO of Beverage Marketing Corp. “Beverages are likely to be one of the first categories to benefit with a job-led economic recovery because they…

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…

Impulse purchases of sodas, Hershey bars and snacks are on the upswing at U.S. convenience stores, a sign the economy and consumer confidence might slowly be turning around, Bloomberg.com reported. The decline in soda sales at convenience stores slowed last quarter for the first time in at least a year, according to PepsiCo and Coca-Cola,…

When Towns Mart enlisted the services of Design Fabrications (DFab) to create an inviting shopping environment for a new store it was constructing in Washington Township, Mich. in 2007, the chain was looking to broaden its customer base through an upgraded design. “We were targeting female and upscale customers by trying to achieve an open…

Beer continues to be an essential category for convenience stores and one that requires more than the usual amount of observation, knowledge, planning, execution and overall savvy. According to The Nielsen Co.:• Nearly 787 million cases of beer were sold in the c-store channel during 52-weeks ending March 6, 2010; down 1.5% from 799 million…

Familiarity with shifting consumer attitudes amidst a turbulent economy–and the willingness to make changes in the cooler if need be–could help retailers cash in big with isotonics and energy drinks this year. “If you’re intent on raising your share in that marketplace then I think you have to get in touch with who that user…

Packaged in a patent-protected, retro-style rocket bottle, ZUN, a new Energy-Plus beverage, is continuing its national rollout, entering stores in 11 Midwest states. “Stores are reporting that ZUN is selling fast and selling out within just days of placing,” said Brian Stearns, founder and CEO of ZUN. “The ZUN brand is quickly gaining favor with…