Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Wholesale costs for gasoline are again moving higher across the country after a steep sell-off in late June into early July, with sharp gains realized during the first full week of July putting prices on either side of levels seen in late June. The increase in wholesale…

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…

The Nielsen Company’s Retail 2015 Forecast, revealed at its Consumer 360 Conference this week, showed the pace of change is accelerating as technology, marketing trends and retail formats converge to redefine how consumer packaged goods (CPG) retailers and manufacturers interact with consumers. By 2015, Nielsen predicts mass supercenters and e-commerce to be the big winners…

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,…

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…

At the NACS Summit in Chicago this week, Matt McCourt, director of Convenience / Spirits for SymphonyIRI Group, gave insight into consumer purchasing patterns across multiple channels and how to reach shoppers in a changing environment. “Consumers are thinking about daily living costs. We’re seeing a new conservative shopper driven by affordable indulgences,” McCourt told…

“Consumers are back in the game,” James Russo, vice president of global consumer insights at Nielsen, assured the crowd of retailers at the NACS State of the Industry Summit in Chicago this week. Russo shared the top consumer behaviors c-store operators should watch for this year, noting that while consumers were on the sidelines in…

C-store sales jumped 5% in 2009 despite the economic conditions, reduction in overall consumer spending. Convenience store in-store sales grew 4.9% in 2009, one of the lone bright spots in a battered U.S. economy that saw overall retail sales drop 7%, according to figures released today by NACS. The industry numbers were announced in Chicago…

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…

Nielsen released a list of overall shopping trends hitting the retail market. Among them, the downward trend of consumers shopping less reached a new low in February, with a 4% year-over-year decline in monthly all-outlet shopping trips. (All outlets included: supercenters, club stores, grocery stores, dollar stores, drug and mass merchandisers.) Retailers are focusing more…