With the tobacco category under continuous scrutiny by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), c-store retailers must consider how they need to respond, especially with the vape and cigar segments. Vape sales increased by 3.5% in Q2 2022 compared to Q2 2021, whereas cigar sales decreased by 3% for the same period, according to store…
Boosting Business With Bitcoin ATMs
With bitcoin and other cryptocurrency platforms on the rise, retailers are incorporating specialized ATM machines in their stores to stay ahead of the curve. “There’s been a large growth in the bitcoin terminal deployment in c-stores around the country,” said Bruce Renard, executive director at The National ATM Council. Both standalone bitcoin kiosks and terminals,…
Smokeless Tobacco Faces Local Regulatory Pressure
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlined its proposed rules to ban menthol cigarettes and characterizing flavors in cigars last month, all eyes are turning to cigarettes and cigars, allowing smokeless tobacco to fly under the radar. Smokeless tobacco has so far remained unscathed by FDA flavor bans. However, some state and local legislatures…
Cigarettes Holding Strong Despite Volatility
High gas prices, increased legislation and inflationary pressure will continue to have a negative impact on cigarette sales, but despite these external factors, cigarettes continue to hold strong and remain a key driver of in-store sales. Cigarette dollar sales dropped 5.8% to $4.2 billion for the four weeks ending April 17, 2022, according to total…
Vape Popularity Grows Despite Uncertainty
C-store retailers continue to wait in suspense for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decisions on pre-market tobacco applications (PMTAs) to trickle in, revealing the future direction of the category and which products can legally be sold under FDA’s ongoing regulations. Despite the uncertainty, vape sales maintained steady growth. Dollar sales for electronic smoking devices increased…
Choice Market Takes on Tech
Choice Market may be a small chain, with three locations in Denver and three set to open in Colorado, but that hasn’t stopped it from letting technology guide its path since it was founded in 2017. CStore Decisions is recognizing Denver-based Choice Market for its dedication to convenience through frictionless modernization and its omnichannel approach…
7-Eleven Expands Convenience Through Tech
Rampant technology innovation continues to inspire c-store chains to offer faster, more convenient and individualized options and platforms for their customers. Early on, Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven questioned how technology innovation could help it grow, and then wasted no time testing and implementing new innovations. Over time, the c-store behemoth has evolved to remain on the…
Samco Expands Family Business
Offering the market a fresh take on convenience stores, Bakersfield, Calif.-based Samco Food Store is building its brand with new locations and a bold look, giving the local community a destination, not just a convenient spot for a quick bite. Samco operates 10 company-owned locations in the Bakersfield area, with one new location currently under…
The Kent Cos. Sets Sights on New Market Growth
The Kent Cos., based in Midland, Texas, is aggressively growing through acquisitions and new-to-industry stores, venturing out from its home base in the Southwest to expand in Tennessee and the Carolinas. It’s also moving into new industries, including the urgent care business, as it targets $1 billion in revenue. Today, The Kent Cos. operates 72…
What Did COVID Teach Us About Employee Management?
Well, we didn’t see that coming! How many of us would have predicted that for the better part of two years, the entire planet has had their professional lives turned upside down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From industries that were shuttered to millions of us forced to work remotely, our work lives have been…