Category Trends

  • A photo of the interior of a convenience store, designed with a blue and green color scheme. Signs say PM, Coffee & soda, and Papa Sal's.
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    Retrieved from pwrmarket.com.

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    Power Market expands Oregon footprint

    H&S Energy's first location in the Portland area also introduces its Papa Sal’s Deli foodservice program to the state.

    By • June 4, 2025
  • EG America
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    Permission granted by EG America
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    EG America levels up its grab-and-go snacking game

    The retailer’s new Sensible Snacks program aims to take advantage of the variety of national brands offered at its convenience stores.

    By • June 3, 2025
  • Shelves of snack multipacks at a grocery store
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    Cole Rosengren/C-Store Dive
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    C-stores losing snacking dollars to grocers

    While dollar and drug stores also ceded ground to grocery stores, convenience retailers gave up the most ground in treat sales, according to NielsenIQ.

    By • May 28, 2025
  • A photo of a parking lot with a number of EV chargers set up alongside the parking spaces.
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    Courtesy of BP Pulse
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    BP Pulse is bringing EV chargers to Waffle House

    Chosen sites in the Southeast and the Sunbelt will get six electric vehicle charging bays, with the first locations coming online next year.

    By • May 22, 2025
  • A photo of a can of energy drink on a rock near the ocean with tropical plants on both sides. The can says Zero Sugar Monster Energy Ultra Blue Hawaiian.
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    Courtesy of Monster Energy
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    3 packaged beverage trends for the back half of 2025

    Energy drinks seek the right balance of flavors while consumer sentiment may not prevent beer price increases, according to a Goldman Sachs survey.

    By • May 22, 2025
  • sprite tea
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    Courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company
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    Coca-Cola launches Sprite + Tea appealing to TikTok-steeped Gen Z

    The lemon-lime soda’s R&D team developed its latest limited-time flavor by mimicking a social media creation.

    By Chris Casey • May 20, 2025
  • A rendering of the exterior of a convenience store with a dark roof and tan siding. Green and white signs on the store say "Millwood Market" and "Marketplace." .
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    Retrieved from millwoodmarket.com.

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    Small New York c-store chain plans Virginia debut

    Millwood Market is opening its third overall location in Manassas, nearly 300 miles from its first two sites.

    By • May 15, 2025
  • anheuser busch budweiser
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    Courtesy of Anheuser-Busch
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    Anheuser-Busch invests $300M in US manufacturing amid beer optimism

    The company is funding technology and workforce development at its plants as it sees some recovery in alcohol consumption among older Gen Zers and younger millennials.

    By Chris Casey • May 14, 2025
  • A photo of several containers of nicotine pouches. The top container says "Zyn smooth. Warning: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical."
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Smokeless tobacco is key to reinvigorating backbars

    While cigarettes continue their long, slow decline, nicotine pouches are a bright spot for c-stores and heated tobacco is on the horizon, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • May 14, 2025
  • A person holds a silver-wrapped Choco Taco ice cream novelty
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    "Choco Taco." by tbiley is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Opinion

    The snacks we grew up with are at risk of disappearing from shelves – if they haven’t already

    Beloved products trusted for generations are now facing a crisis as rising costs, shifting purchasing patterns and regulatory scrutiny pressure legacy brands, writes Keren Novak of Curion.

    By Keren Novack • May 7, 2025
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Hershey seeks tariff exemption for cocoa from White House

    The Kisses maker said duties on the commodity, which cannot be grown in the U.S., is expected to result in millions of dollars in extra costs.

    By Christopher Doering • May 5, 2025
  • 7-Eleven festival partnership mixtape art
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven teams with Live Nation for nostalgic music festival activations

    The chain is the first presenting sponsor of the pop-punk-focused When We Were Young as it works to connect with consumers around culture.

    By Chris Kelly • May 2, 2025
  • QuikTrip
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    Permission granted by https://www.quiktrip.com/hello-hoosier-state-quiktrip-opens-first-indiana-location/
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Examining major changes for QuikTrip, Walmart and 7-Eleven

    We take a closer look at one retailer’s nationwide expansion, another’s refreshed c-store growth plans and a bevy of board leadership changes.

    By • April 25, 2025
  • A photo of a cup of coffee on a table inside a store. The side of the cup says "Country Fair Fresh & Local. Join the club. Medium."
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    Retrieved from country Fair Facebook page on April 22, 2025
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    Country Fair tries new grocery-focused approach with upcoming store

    The 8,000-square-foot store will add produce, meats and ready-made meals to the Pennsylvania retailer’s traditional c-store offering.

    By • April 23, 2025
  • Tri Star
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    Retrieved from Tri Star Energy.
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    How c-stores can pull loyalty from QSRs

    Strong value, including meal deals and quality food, could help c-stores make inroads against fast food, says restaurant technology company Tillster.

    By • April 22, 2025
  • A photo of an array of candy, including Twix, Gushers and Reeses peanut butter cups, against an orange background.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    4 candy trends for c-stores to watch

    While sales have declined thanks to price-sensitive shoppers, the category still has some bright spots, experts say. 

    By Christine Blank • April 21, 2025
  • A sign alerting customers about SNAP food stamps benefits is displayed in Spanish
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    Scott Heins via Getty Images
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    Food industry bristles as states move to ban soda, candy from SNAP

    Purchasing restrictions on food assistance benefits have gained steam under the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, but most experts agree they're unlikely to improve health outcomes.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • April 21, 2025
  • A photo of the interior of a Sheetz location.
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    Permission granted by Sheetz
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    Column

    The Road Ahead: What’s behind the rise of super regional c-stores?

    If Sheetz, Wawa or QuikTrip suddenly drop 30 locations into a new market, it fundamentally changes consumer behavior and competitive dynamics, columnist Frank Beard writes.

    By Frank Beard • April 16, 2025
  • A photo of a person with a cardboard takeout container in one hand and tongs in the other, selecting items from a roller grill. The takeout container says 7-Eleven and a sign over the roller grill says Flavor in Every Bite."
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Digging into 7-Eleven’s earnings

    In its latest financials, company leaders laid out how QSRs, modernized food and beverage platforms, and private label products can help right the ship after a difficult 2024.

    By • April 11, 2025
  • A photo of a person holding a phone in their hands with a mobile app open on the screen. Text on the app says "Welcome offer, tap to use - free any size coffee (hot or iced); Game room Onvo; and Featured offers and promotions --- Bucked up. But 3 save 10 cents per gallon . Onvo Rewards."
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    Courtesy of Onvo
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    Onvo launches updated app

    Users now get a faster mobile experience, age-restricted promotions and exclusive offers while tracking and redeeming loyalty points — called Hoots — more easily.

    By • April 10, 2025
  • Close up of ice cream containers in freezers.
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/C-Store Dive
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    Tariffs are the latest test of beleaguered US consumers

    Before the expansive levies were announced, spending power was already weakened by high prices and rising debt, among other forces, analysts say.

    By Daphne Howland • April 8, 2025
  • An oil pumpjack works at dawn in an oil field.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Tariffs, fuel-efficient cars, could complicate Trump’s efforts to produce more oil

    The president’s desire to boost production could increase supply, but global unrest will have more of an impact on c-stores’ bottom lines, experts say.

    By Danielle McLean • April 8, 2025
  • A rendering of an electric vehicle charging station
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    Courtesy of OnPoint EV
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    Jacksons adding EV charging this summer

    The retailer has partnered with OnPoint EV Solutions to build level 3 chargers at nine stores in California, Idaho and Washington.

    By • April 3, 2025
  • 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