Category Trends

  • A photo of a person holding the fuelling nozzle of a gas pump.
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    Miguel Villagran via Getty Images
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    Column

    The Road Ahead: The future of convenience still runs on gas

    Reports of liquid fuel’s death have been greatly exaggerated. While c-stores still need to innovate, they shouldn’t be afraid of their roots, write Frank Beard and Brandon Lawrence.

    By Frank Beard and Brandon Lawrence • June 30, 2025
  • Circle K
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    Retrieved from Couche-Tard.
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    Couche-Tard CEO says Seven & i talks could finalize in the near future

    Alex Miller said on Thursday that the companies have outlined “what we believe is a clear path to U.S. regulatory approval,” and a final timeline may be approaching.

    By • June 26, 2025
  • Costco Wholesale Club
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    Jacob Blanck. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Costco’s fueling ambitions

    As the big box retailer prepares its first standalone gas station, we’re taking a look at how the company’s fueling business has fared recently.

    By • June 20, 2025
  • Three mobile phone screenshots. The first shows a welcome screen that says "Sabvings are just around the corner! Bee's Knees benefits. Sign in. Register. See how it works." The second shows a map with store locations highlighter. The final shows several rectangles. One says Get a fere item every Wednesday June 11-October 1."
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    Courtesy of Global Partners
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    Global Partners launches unified loyalty program

    The retailer also relaunched its mobile app alongside Bee’s Knees Benefits, which will be accepted at all of the company’s banners.

    By • June 16, 2025
  • Sunoco
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    Retrieved from Sunoco.
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: The many faces of c-store growth

    Casey’s, Sunoco and Minuteman are all looking to expand their horizons — and store counts — in the next year.

    By • June 13, 2025
  • A photo of beer labels on a production line. The labels say "Stewart's Shops Mountain Brew lager. Proudly brewed in the Adirondaks by Paradox Brewery."
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    Courtesy of Paradox Brewery
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    Private label beer is having a moment. Should c-stores order a round?

    Retailers like Costco, Stewart’s Shops and Walmart are investing in exclusive beer brands as capacity has opened up at brewers across the U.S.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • An image of an orange bag with Grubhub and pizza boxes.
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    Permission granted by Grubhub
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    Grubhub adds alcohol delivery from 7-Eleven

    The platform has also launched multi-store ordering, which allows customers to order from two eligible merchants in a single order, including select c-stores.

    By Julie Littman • June 9, 2025
  • Casey's
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    Retrieved from Casey's.
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Casey’s keeps trucking in Texas

    They say everything’s bigger in the Lone Star State. That includes this Iowa-based convenience retailer’s ambitions.

    By • June 6, 2025
  • 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