Category Trends

  • An image of a factory, processing hockey puck sized canisters that read "Zyn chill."
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    Courtesy of Philip Morris International
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    FDA authorizes marketing of nicotine pouches for the first time

    These items have become popular in c-stores as traditional tobacco sales plunge, and their approval sets the stage for continued growth.

    By • Jan. 17, 2025
  • A photo of the exterior of a travel stop. Signs on the front wall of the gray and red building say "Pilot," Welcome," "Subway" and "Cinnabon."
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    Permission granted by Pilot Co.
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    Pilot opens its largest store yet

    The travel stop company plans to use the Tennessee location as “a blueprint for store designs in the future,” said VP of Operations Jim Rose.

    By • Jan. 17, 2025
  • Two prescription drug cartons are seen stacked on top of each other, bearing the word Wegovy.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    GLP-1 weight loss medications pose challenges for c-stores. Here’s how retailers can respond.

    Users of Ozempic and other drugs are shunning items like energy drinks and salty snacks, research shows. But there are upselling opportunities in categories like beverage and foodservice.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • Shell
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    Retrieved from Shell.
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    Shell Rotella adds fuel card

    The new offering helps professional drivers save money at almost 9,000 fueling locations in the U.S. and Canada.

    By • Jan. 14, 2025
  • A photo of a smartphone on a table with pizza on a plate next to it on the left and a cup of soda on the right. The mobile app says "7Now Gold Pass. First 14 days free. Renews automatically. Cancel anytime. Free delivery on every order and extra perks for orders over $10. No small basket fees, 2x rewards points, FREE product on every order. Additional member perks"
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven targets $1B in 7Now sales

    The company’s delivery business is expected to hit more than $700 million in sales by the end of fiscal 2024.

    By • Jan. 13, 2025
  • Snacking brands made by PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division on a grocery store shelf in Washington, D.C.
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    Christopher Doering/C-Store Dive
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    5 c-store snack trends to watch in 2025

    Pricing pressures will impact consumer spending in the first half, but familiar flavors and protein pushes could change the landscape, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • Jan. 13, 2025
  • A promotional image showing three drinks against a red background. There is a cup of coffee over the words "$1 hot coffee," an iced coffee over the words "$2 iced coffee" and a can of Monster Energy over the words "$3 monster Energy." Text to the right says "Wawa Rewards member exclusive" and "join today" over a QR code while text along the bottom sayd "Get one, two or all three."
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    Courtesy of Wawa
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    C-stores start 2025 with a value push

    EG America, Wawa and QuickChek all announced discounts and deals for the start of the year.

    By • Jan. 7, 2025
  • Enmarket
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    Retrieved from Enmarket.
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    Deep Dive

    9 trends for c-stores to watch in 2025

    This year will see c-stores refining strategies across the business, from loyalty to foodservice to technology and beyond.

    By , • Jan. 7, 2025
  • A photo of the interior of a convenience store, showing shelves full of snacks and a beer cave set in the back wall. Signs over the beer gave say "the beer barn. enter for cold beer." while a sign over a hallway to the right of the beer cave says "restrooms."
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    Permission granted by Paragon Solutions
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    How to build a better beer cave

    These spaces can become destinations for high-value beer lovers, but experts say they can easily get overlooked if c-stores don’t carefully consider design and assortment.

    By Amanda Baltazar • Jan. 6, 2025
  • A photo showing the exterior of a convenience store. The fuel canopies, gs pumps and a sign on the store all say "The Store."
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    Permission granted by The Store
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    Reliance Fuel enters Wisconsin by acquiring The Store

    The Pennsylvania retailer bought the sites in December and plans to rebrand all locations to Fuel On.

    By • Jan. 2, 2025
  • close up of a worker holding up a tablet
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    Dragos Condrea via Getty Images
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    Employers with strong employee value proposition innovate better, McLean says

    Having a strong EVP can boost results in an increasingly competitive labor landscape, the firm said in a new report.

    By Carolyn Crist • Jan. 2, 2025
  • 7-Eleven
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: The figures that stood out in 2024

    We close out this year with a closer look at three massive stories — 7-Eleven’s store closings, Buc-ee’s continuing expansion and Couche-Tard’s purchase of GetGo.

    By • Dec. 20, 2024
  • A screenshot of a delivery ordering interface. The name at the top of the page is Rebel DElivery. A sign below that reads Alcohol delivery now available within city limits."
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    Screenshot from rebelstores.com/delivery.

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    Rebel adds alcohol delivery

    The convenience retailer has added the option to four stores in Las Vegas, with nine more coming online soon.

    By • Dec. 20, 2024
  • A rendering of the interior of a convenience store, showing the center of the store. signs hanging from the ceiling say Chilled, Fresh to Go, chilled to Go and Yatco.
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    Permission granted by Yatco
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    How well did we predict the c-store industry’s biggest trends in 2024? Here are our honest grades.

    Our forecast included growth in small-scale M&A, food and beverage innovation and loyalty efforts, as well as EV momentum slowing down. We were right about some, and wrong about others.

    By , • Dec. 19, 2024
  • mergers M&A acquisitions law legal
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    Bevan Goldswain via Getty Images
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    W. Capra adds M&A services

    The new offering will be led by Lisa Briggs, partner with the company and former president and CEO of Impact 21.

    By • Dec. 18, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from 7-Eleven.
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Food and the future

    7-Eleven, Arko and Applegreen all shared plans this year to build more dining-focused convenience stores.

    By • Dec. 6, 2024
  • Several herbs, seasonings and spices in bowls and piles, grouped together on an old wooden table.
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    fcafotodigital via Getty Images
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    5 foodservice trends c-stores should watch in 2025

    Customers are still guarding their wallets, but may be tempted by spicy offerings, Southeast Asian fare and a shift from chicken to eggs, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • Dec. 4, 2024
  • A photo of a hand holding a lit cigarette.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Value is vital for tobacco sales

    Consumers have not only been cutting back on tobacco purchases, but have also been turning to lower-priced options, recent data shows.

    By • Dec. 2, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a Rusty Lantern Market.
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    Permission granted by Paragon Solutions
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    How c-store designs have evolved in 2024

    From building larger stores and trying new looks to adding unusual amenities, retailers got creative with their formats this year.

    By • Nov. 27, 2024
  • A photo of camping gear on display at Wally's.
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    Courtesy of Wally's
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    5 ways c-stores can spice up their general merchandise section

    The keys are to make the products unmissable and ensure stores have the right mix of seasonal or impulse items and everyday needs, experts say.

    By Amanda Baltazar • Nov. 21, 2024
  • A cityscape of skyscrapers and commercial buildings around State Street Bridge in Chicago.
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    tunart via Getty Images
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    Shoplifting on the rise this year, report shows

    Two widely different sets of FBI data underscore the need for better information on theft, however, according to Council on Criminal Justice researchers. That includes better reporting from retailers.

    By Daphne Howland • Nov. 21, 2024
  • weigel's
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    Retrieved from Weigel's.
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    Weigel’s rolls out $6 menu

    Customers can choose from one of seven meal combos as the Tennessee retailer joins the move toward lower-priced food options.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • A photo of a prefabricated Wawa drive-thru being assembled on site.
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    Permission granted by MODLOGIQ
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    Why modular construction could be poised for a boom in c-stores

    While prefabricated stores may cost more up front, they can be built and opened quickly while dodging weather problems and tight labor markets, experts say.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • Packages of Sour Strips.
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    Courtesy of Hershey's
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    Hershey buys candy brand Sour Strips for undisclosed amount

    The Reese’s manufacturer said the purchase expands its sweets portfolio and increases its ability to reach new consumers across more snacking occasions.

    By Christopher Doering • Nov. 12, 2024
  • Casey's
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    Courtesy of Casey's
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: How Casey’s and other c-stores are expanding

    The Iowa retailer recently closed one big acquisition and Nouria just announced another. Meanwhile, Murphy USA grows organically.

    By • Nov. 8, 2024