Category Trends

  • TXB
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    Retrieved from TXB website.
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    TXB upgrades loyalty program

    The updates streamline the offering and make earning rewards quicker and easier for customers.

    By • April 2, 2025
  • A head and shoulders photo of a person against a blue background.
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    Courtesy of Philip Morris International
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    Philip Morris pursues smoke-free ambitions in the US

    The company has named a new chief commercial officer as it debuts Iqos heat-not-burn devices in Texas and continues seeing strong demand for Zyn nicotine pouches.

    By • April 1, 2025
  • 7-Eleven introduces the Peanut Butter and Jams Cappuccino.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    Outlining 7-Eleven’s busy first quarter

    Between advancing takeover talks with Couche-Tard and continuing store development, plus an IPO on the horizon, it’s been a busy three months.

    By • March 31, 2025
  • athletic brewing
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    Courtesy of Athletic Brewing
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    Why nonalcoholic brews are driving beer innovation

    Big companies are going all-in on zero-proof drinks in order to expand the category, according to the World Brewing Alliance’s CEO.

    By Chris Casey • March 31, 2025
  • A drone photo of a factory set in a wooded countryside.
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    Permission granted by Reynolds American
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    Reynolds expands nicotine pouch production

    The company expects to add about 300 new jobs in 2025, focused largely around its smokeless products.

    By • March 25, 2025
  • A photo of a shopping basket of items, many of them with 7-Eleven branding.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    C-stores’ private label push expected to grow

    Retailers like Love's, Wally's and 7-Eleven are going all in on new flavors and novel items, and even moving beyond food and beverage.

    By Christine Blank • March 24, 2025
  • Poppi, soda
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    Courtesy of Poppi
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Big news, big numbers

    While Seven & i and Couche-Tard dig into the nitty-gritty of their proposed merger, PepsiCo pays up for Poppi and Mountain Express’ leaders are under the microscope.

    By • March 21, 2025
  • poppi
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    Courtesy of Poppi
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    PepsiCo buys prebiotic soda brand Poppi for nearly $2B

    The deal boosts the food and beverage company's health-focused portfolio as consumers demand more better-for-you options.

    By Chris Casey • March 17, 2025
  • A photo of the inside of a convenience store, showing taps for dispensed beverages, a counter for ordering fresh food and shelves of products. A sign on the wall says fresh beverages.
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    Permission granted by Dash In
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    Coffee customization is more popular than ever. Here’s how c-stores can capitalize.

    The right array of creamers, sweeteners and other flavor options can elevate an already stellar coffee program — but only if it’s done right, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • March 17, 2025
  • Exterior shot of a Dollar General store.
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    Courtesy of Dollar General
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    Dollar General trims Popshelf fleet amid store footprint review

    The dollar store chain is cutting 20% of the higher-priced format, while only 96 of its namesake stores will get the axe.

    By Nate Delesline III • March 14, 2025
  • A rendering of the interior of a convenience store. There are tables and chairs, a fireplace, benches and TV screens on oen wall showing a variety of sports.
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Rutter’s announces new stores with bar and lounge

    This design is the latest in a series of updates the Pennsylvania-based retailer has rolled out over the past few years.

    By • March 12, 2025
  • A photo of a partially built modular construction building. The frame is up and some but not all of the walls have been put in place.
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    Courtesy of Family Express
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    Family Express joins modular construction trend

    The retailer is building the first of several prefabricated c-stores across its home state of Indiana.

    By • March 6, 2025
  • A photo of the interior of a store, showing a hallway and a bathroom through an open door. The bathroom has blue and white tile. A sign on the wall says Yatco. Proudly serving Worcester. Massachusetts.
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    Permission granted by King Retail Solutions
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    How to perfect c-store restrooms

    From updating designs to helping workers keep the place clean, there are a variety of steps retailers can take to elevate the experience.

    By • March 3, 2025
  • Wawa
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    Retrieved from Wawa.
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: C-stores eye bold beverage innovation

    Fruit-forward drinks, discounted coffee and sparkling tea lead the latest round of introductions from top c-store companies.

    By • Feb. 21, 2025
  • 7-Eleven
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    Permission granted by 7-Eleven
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    4 ways c-stores are elevating their coffee programs

    Consumption outside the home is finally back to pre-pandemic levels. Here’s how retailers like Casey’s, GPM Investments and 7-Eleven are capitalizing.

    By • Feb. 18, 2025
  • A can of Coca-Cola's Simply Pop prebiotic soda.
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    Courtesy of Coca-Cola
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    Coca-Cola enters trendy prebiotic soda market with Simply Pop

    The drink, which contains fiber for gut health and Vitamin C and zinc for immunity support, pits the beverage giant against fast-growing upstarts Olipop and Poppi.

    By Christopher Doering • Feb. 18, 2025
  • A photo of a smiling person sitting at a table, about to bite into a burrito. A sign on the wall behind them says Laredo Taco.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    3 foodservice moves 7-Eleven has already made in 2025

    While North America’s largest c-store retailer begins building hundreds of food-focused stores, it’s also making more immediate changes to its menu.

    By • Feb. 13, 2025
  • Arko
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    Retrieved from NACS.
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    Arko rolls out fuel discounts up to $2

    Members of the company’s Fas Rewards program can stack discounts up to that level as Arko continues focusing on price-conscious shoppers.

    By • Feb. 11, 2025
  • A photo of the exterior of a store, seen at night with all its lights on. A sign over the door says Yatco.
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    Permission granted by King Retail Solutions
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    Inside Yatco’s new c-store design

    The New England company worked with King Retail Solutions to develop a uniform look for all its new stores.

    By • Feb. 11, 2025
  • A photo of a person pouring a beverage from a large dispenser in a store into a white and yellow disposable cup. the person has a lid for the cup in the other hand.
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    Permission granted by Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
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    3 top c-store dispensed beverage trends for 2025

    Retailers should offer a variety of flavors and the ability to customize not just taste but function, experts from Love’s and EG America said.

    By Christine Blank • Feb. 10, 2025
  • Casey's
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    Retrieved from Casey's.
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: C-stores pushing the food trends envelope

    Rich Products recently outlined market trends it expects to see in 2025, and we’re looking at how c-stores are poised to meet those changes.

    By • Feb. 7, 2025
  • PepsiCo, Frito-Lay
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    Christopher Doering/C-Store Dive
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    PepsiCo to focus on value, healthier offerings amid slump in snacks

    CEO Ramon Laguarta said the Doritos maker hasn’t seen a “direct impact” from GLP-1 medications despite higher consumer interest in health and wellness.

    By Christopher Doering • Feb. 6, 2025
  • A photo of a rack of snacks inside a store, including popcorn, chips and candy. A sign above the snacks says "Shelee's Travel Center grab and go."
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    Permission granted by Shelee's Travel Centers
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    California travel center chain opens grab-and-go arena stores

    Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, California, added five Shelee's Travel Center Grab & Go locations to its retail lineup.

    By • Feb. 4, 2025
  • A photo of a breakfast combo meal including a cup, three breakfast sandwiches and a container of hash browns on a wrapping paper that says "Rutter's" on a white background.
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    4 tips to boost c-store breakfast programs

    Portable, craveable items are still a hit, but experts say retailers should also turn up the volume on energy drinks, hot honey and other nontraditional items.

    By Christine Blank • Feb. 3, 2025
  • Jones Soda
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    Retrieved from Jones Soda.
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    Craft soda brand coming to over 2K Circle K, FEMSA c-stores

    Jones Soda has signed an agreement that will result in its “first significant presence in the convenience channel in its nearly 30-year history,” its CEO said.

    By • Jan. 31, 2025