By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor.Tobacco customers and products are changing. Convenience store retailers must adapt to maintain category sales. It’s no secret that traditional cigarette use is declining. According to Gallup research, about 20% of Americans smoke at least one cigarette each week, which is down from the all-time high of 45% in 1955. Since…
“Berry” Up the Holidays
In its first favor innovation since 2005, Sprite is launching all-new flavor Sprite Cranberry and Sprite Cranberry Zero. The new products will be available for a limited time through the holidays. Both products take the refreshing taste of traditional Sprite and combine it with a splash of sweet and tart cranberry notes. The new flavor…
CST Brands’ CEO Named to Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business
In her first 100 days as CEO, Kim Bowers visited 100 stores to help her understand the business from the ground up. Kim Bowers, Chairman, CEO and President of CST Brands Inc., has been named one of Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. Based in San Antonio, Texas, CST Brands is a convenience store…
School Children Thank Rutter’s For Donation
Children at York Country Day School in York, Pa. thanked Rutter’s Farm Stores for the company’s $10,000 donation. The school will use the money to award academic scholarships to eligible inner-city students through the Rutter’s Scholars program.
BP To Reward Customers With Ultimate College Football Experience
BP to participate in more than 40 college football tailgate events to help increase BP Driver Rewards registrations and build loyalty. BP Products North America has announced the launch of a series of ‘Fan Fest Tailgates’ from now through Nov. 30 at more than 40 college campuses across the country to support its Driver Rewards…
Budweiser Brewmasters Introduce Three New Brews
Last year’s inaugural ‘Project 12’ program created Budweiser Black Crown. This year, Sampler Pack is set to hit shelves Oct. 28. Budweiser’s Project 12—the brewmaster innovation platform that resulted in the introduction of Budweiser Black Crown—is back with three new beers named for the ZIP codes where the beers were brewed, beginning Oct. 28. The…
CTP Authorizes Three Additional Tobacco Products
Three RYO tobacco paper products by Republic Tobacco now authorized for sale. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) announced that the agency is authorizing the sale and marketing of three additional tobacco products through the substantial equivalence pathway. As directed by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control…
Hershey’s Debuts First New Brand In 30 Years
Lancaster Soft Crèmes bring U.S. caramel lovers a sweet new experience. Today, The Hershey Co. announced it is launching a new confectionery brand in the U.S. called Lancaster. The new brand will feature a line of caramel soft crèmes that will roll out nationwide in January 2014. The introduction of the Lancaster brand marks…
Kum & Go Opens New Larger Store in Marion
New eco-friendly convenience store features fresh food prepared in on-site kitchen. Kum & Go will open a new 5,000-square-foot convenience store on Friday, Oct. 11, in Marion, Iowa. This store, located at 3215 Seventh Ave., is twice the size of the store it replaces at 3370 Seventh Ave. The spacious new store is designed to…
First Data Releases SpendTrend Analysis
Shoppers pulled back on spending in September from August. First Data Corp., a global provider of electronic commerce and payment processing, has released its First Data SpendTrend analysis for Aug. 31, 2013 through Sept. 30, 2013 compared to Sept. 1, 2012 through Oct. 1, 2012. SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN…