The Latest

• 

  Retail job cuts spike nearly 250% from last year

  A Challenger, Gray & Christmas report points to tariffs and broader economic uncertainty as the catalysts driving a retail workforce contraction. 

  Operations

• 

  6 notable c-store executive changes from July

  Highlights from the month include 7-Eleven losing its chief of staff and NACS appointing the fourth CEO in its history.

  Operations

• 

  Applegreen to enter Colorado in 2026

  The retailer is investing $70 million to build four travel plazas in the Denver area. The first location is set to open in Q4 of next year.

  Operations

• 

  Column

  3 Big Numbers: How is c-store M&A really going?

  With all the buzz surrounding Couche-Tard and Seven & i's failed merger, it’s been easy to overlook that the convenience industry has been quiet on the dealmaking front.

  M&A

• 

  General merchandise distributor IWS acquires Midwest rival’s delivery division

  IWS handles full-service merchandising and direct-ship programs for several convenience categories, including e-cigarettes, hemp derivatives and cell phone accessories.

  M&A

• 

  Dash In remodeling 26 c-stores across 3 states

  Marketing and design firm GSP Retail is leading the project and already overhauled two Dash In stores in Maryland.

  Operations

• 

  Optimism rising for beverage category

  Retailers surveyed by Goldman Sachs expect 1.3% traffic gains for the full year, led by strength in energy drinks. 

  Category Trends

• 

  7-Eleven CEO’s earnings plunged nearly 50% last year

  Joseph DePinto’s $29 million was a steep drop from the $52 million he took home in 2023. The decrease came after a year in which 7-Elevern faced mounting economic challenges.

  Operations

• 

  Murphy USA to open 40 new c-stores by end of 2025

  These sites are part of Murphy’s decade-long plan to build 500 c-stores by 2033.

  Operations

• 

  How much did c-store CEOs make in 2024?

  Operational challenges last year resulted in many execs from some of the largest players in the industry seeing major declines in their take-home pay.

  Operations

• 

  NACS names new president and CEO

  Former chairman Frank Gleeson will succeed Henry Armour in January.

  Operations

• 

  Parker’s joins retail media network

  The partnership with Axonet will provide the Georgia-based retailer with digital screens, in-store audio and other touchpoints that advertise to customers.

  Technology

• 

  Tracker

  Tracking 2025 c-store acquisitions

  From major deals to small pickups, consolidation remains a hot topic across the industry. Here’s a look at the M&A and notable updates that have happened so far this year.

  M&A

• 

  Wawa using machine learning to curb food spoilage

  The retailer has partnered with tech vendor Relex to use its forecasting and replenishment solutions.

  Foodservice

• 

  Weigel’s debuts ‘Auto Spa’ car wash

  The new touchless, tech-forward car wash in Powell, Tennessee, integrates with the MyWeigel’s loyalty program.

  Technology

• 

  FEMSA struggles in Mexico as US expansion marches forward

  Executives said that a difficult environment notably hurt Oxxo’s soft drinks, beer and tobacco sales, and that FEMSA is focusing on getting these categories back on track.

  Updated July 29, 2025

  Operations

• 

  RaceTrac nears North Carolina debut

  The expansion, first revealed in early 2024, will start with a more than 6,000-square-foot location in Monroe, about 25 miles from Charlotte.

  Category Trends

• 

  Kwik Trip to begin extensive remodels at 17 c-stores this fall

  The projects, which will add space to existing locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota, are expected to be complete mid-summer 2026.

  Operations

• 

  BP partners with Wex on new fleet card

  Drivers will be able to use the Earnify card at more than 8,000 gas stations across the U.S., including TravelCenters of America and Amoco locations.

  Fuels

• 

  Hershey to raise candy prices by double digits amid elevated cocoa costs

  The Reese’s maker said the “unprecedented cost” of the commodity is impacting many of its top sweet brands.

  Category Trends

• 

  Column

  3 Big Numbers: Digging into Casey’s annual report

  The Midwest chain is growing rapidly, with plans to open 80 locations over the next year. We’ve picked out a few key stats from its latest fiscal update.

  Operations

• 

  7-Eleven chief of staff departs

  Kristen Cook joined the company 15 years ago as senior counsel and had been CEO Joe DePinto’s strategic advisor since 2023.

  Labor

• 

  Global Partners files ethics complaint, requests investigation into Applegreen project win

  The retailer said it has “serious concerns about the conduct” of the state official who helped oversee the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s decision-making process in June.

  Operations

• 

  Is 7-Eleven’s US IPO on the ropes following failed Couche-Tard buyout?

  Japanese analysts and investors told Bloomberg last week that there’s now little reason for Seven & i to take 7-Eleven public because it no longer needs to fend off an unsolicited offer.

  Operations

• 

  The key moments in Couche-Tard’s failed pursuit of Seven & i

  As retailers try to wrap their heads around the unsuccessful megamerger, here’s a recap of some of the defining events that led to this point.

  Operations

More stories