Category Trends


  • 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
  • A photo of the exterior of a Mapco store
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    Permission granted by Grabango
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    MAPCO adds senior discount to loyalty program

    While much of the c-store industry remains focused on Gen Z and younger consumers, MAPCO is reaching out to older shoppers.

    By Nov. 7, 2024
  • Close-up of multiethnic group of corporate executives raising their glasses to toast their success at year-end.
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    xavierarnau via Getty Images
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    C-store holiday alcohol sales outlook merry

    Alcohol sales have been under pressure lately, but getting the right flavors — and the right boozy gifts — in front of customers can pay off, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Ampm store
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    Retrieved from BP press release.
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    BP thinks its new private label line is pretty Epic

    The company tested the line in March, then grew the number of items in the assortment by 50% last quarter, said Lisa Blalock, vice president of U.S. convenience and mobility for BP.

    By Nov. 4, 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 to develop a new prototype

    Here are the questions to consider and steps to take when the same old store design doesn’t work anymore.

    By Danielle McLean • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a Maverik location.
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    Permission granted by Relay Payments
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Maverik’s rebranding and recent growth

    With news coming out this week that Kum & Go is going away in Oklahoma, we’re taking a look at Maverik’s growing footprint.

    By Nov. 1, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from 7-Eleven.
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    7-Eleven taps Chobani veteran to lead private label development

    Varun Khanna’s hiring comes as the retailer looks to its proprietary brands and foodservice programs to boost its performance in North America.

    By Oct. 29, 2024
  • Cans of Ghost Energy drinks.
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    Retrieved from Ghost.
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    Keurig Dr Pepper to buy energy drink brand Ghost for more than $1B

    The acquisition expands the beverage giant’s presence in the fast-growing category and deepens a portfolio that includes water, soda, coffee and juice.

    By Christopher Doering • Oct. 28, 2024
  • Couche-Tard
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    Retrieved from Couche-Tard.
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    Couche-Tard names new global head of private label

    Amy Jenkins, who joins from home improvement retailer Lowe’s, takes over from Rodney Blanton, who left Circle K in June for Amazon Go.

    By Oct. 25, 2024
  • Wawa
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    Jessica Loder/C-Store Dive
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Delving into Wawa’s growth

    As the East Coast retailer prepares for its first store in Georgia, we take a look at what the future holds and why customers should take notice.

    By Oct. 25, 2024
  • EG Group
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    Retrieved from Cumberland Farms website.
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    EG America gets ‘dirty’ with soda innovation

    Creative dispensed beverage concoctions are at the heart of a new marketing campaign that taps into a viral social media trend.

    By Oct. 22, 2024
  • A photo of the interior of a sports arena during a basketball game.
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    Permission granted by Reese Strickland/Iowa Events Center
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    Casey’s Center coming in 2025

    The c-store company reached an agreement with the Iowa Events Center to rename the home of three professional sports teams next summer.

    By Oct. 22, 2024
  • Exterior of a grocery store.
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    Courtesy of Whole Foods Market
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    Amazon pilots small-format grocery concept

    The test store in Chicago is meant for quick fill-in grocery runs and aims to reduce the number of stops shoppers need to complete a shopping trip.

    By Peyton Bigora • Oct. 18, 2024
  • A photo of Elf on a Shelf-themed holiday novelty candy.
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    Courtesy of CandyRific
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    4 tips to help c-stores grow holiday candy sales

    Convenience retailers typically cede ground in the key category as the end of the year nears. But they’re missing out on clear opportunities, experts say.

    By Oct. 16, 2024
  • Amazon Go
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    Retrieved from Amazon press page.
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    3 Amazon Go stores close

    The locations, which are all in New York, shuttered because the company “couldn’t make the economics work with the lease cost,” a spokesperson said.

    By Oct. 9, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a gas station and convenience store. Signs on the fuel canopy and store say Parker's Kitchen.
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    Courtesy of Parker's Kitchen
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    Parker’s opens its largest store to date

    The 7,122-square-foot prototype will have expanded restroom, retail, food and checkout areas.

    By Oct. 7, 2024
  • A close up of a person holding a phone featuring rewards points and the ability to redeem them.
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    Debalina Ghosh via Getty Images
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    C-store discounts resonate with loyalty members, fall flat with non-members, report shows

    The American Customer Satisfaction Index shows a significant gap between the two consumer groups’ view of sales and promotion frequency.

    By Oct. 3, 2024
  • A photo of food items in a warming case in either wrappers or boxes. The boxes read "Hatch chicken."
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    Permission granted by Rebel
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    Rebel introduces Hatch Chicken QSR

    The proprietary eatery features a variety of chicken and sides and is expected to expand to 20 additional stores next year.

    By Oct. 2, 2024
  • A photo of a Kwik Trip c-store.
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    Permission granted by Kwik Trip
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    Kwik Trip launches EV charging program

    The retailer’s branded initiative, Kwik Charge, will bring direct current fast chargers to many stores and develop a new app to support them.

    By Oct. 2, 2024
  • NACS Show
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    Brett Dworski/C-Store Dive
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    Top convenience store conferences for 2025

    As convenience retail leaders begin to fill out their calendars for next year, here are some major events to keep in mind.

    By C-Store Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2024
  • Couche-Tard
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    Retrieved from Couche-Tard.
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    The c-store value deals keep on rolling

    Circle K and EG America are the latest players to launch $5 meals amid what's become a booming trend this year to compete with QSRs.

    By Sept. 27, 2024
  • A photo of coffee machines inside a store.
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    Permission granted by Frank Beard
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    Column

    The Road Ahead: As the industry consolidates, small players have a big opportunity

    While large companies use acquisitions to accomplish greater scale, smaller retailers retain the agility and community knowledge to build a strong niche, writes Frank Beard.

    By Frank Beard • Sept. 25, 2024