Category Trends

  • 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
  • A person sits at a desk with an open laptop in front of them. Their head is hidden by smoke and the hand is holding a vaping device.
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    US to halt imports, sale of Njoy Ace products

    The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that the Altria-owned company’s vaping devices violate four of Juul’s patents. The ruling takes effect March 31.

    By • Jan. 31, 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
  • A photo of an electric vehicle charging at a charging station. the charger says "BP Pulse" on the front. A convenience store is in the background, with a sign over the door that says "TA Welcome Jacksonville South travel center."
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    Courtesy of TravelCenters of America
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Second time’s the charm

    Stewart’s Shops, TravelCenters of America and Buc-ee’s all recently took another swing at key facets of their businesses.

    By • Jan. 31, 2025
  • Boxes of Celsius Hydration
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    Courtesy of Celsius Holdings
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    Celsius expands beyond energy as it positions itself as a ‘lifestyle’ brand

    The company’s first major portfolio expansion is a hydration offering, with plans to enter other categories that connect it with more consumers.

    By Christopher Doering • Jan. 30, 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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    Stewart’s Shops revives private label craft beer

    The retailer tapped a local brewery to bring back Mountain Brew, a custom craft creation it last offered five years ago.

    By • Jan. 29, 2025
  • 7-Eleven
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    What’s ahead for c-stores in 2025?

    With economic conditions still tight and the political landscape uncertain, retailers will be focused on improving amenities to get people into their stores.

    By • Jan. 29, 2025
  • A photo of the exterior of a Buc-ee's location.
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    Courtesy of Buc-ee's
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    Buc-ee’s eyes site near Milwaukee

    While Oak Creek is the second location the retailer has targeted in Wisconsin, it may end up being the first to open.

    By • Jan. 27, 2025
  • A photo of a pack of Marlboro menthol cigarettes, with several cigarettes loose on a black surface around it.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    FDA withdraws proposed menthol rule

    The ban would have outlawed menthol-flavored cigarettes nationwide.

    By • Jan. 27, 2025
  • A photo of self checkout kiosks inside a convenience store. Each machine says "self checkout."
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    Jessica Loder/C-Store Dive
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    Column

    3 Big Numbers: Building a better c-store customer experience

    Shoppers at convenience retailers told NCR Voyix they love their favorite banners, want more self checkout and are moving past the stigma of gas station food.

    By • Jan. 24, 2025