In 2020, convenience stores are enticing customers with increased category innovation, from new beverage varieties to fresh food to mobile payment options. In the year ahead, c-stores are also set to face ongoing challenges, including increasing tobacco regulations, technological disruption and growing competition from other channels on ‘convenience.’ The U.S. convenience channel today is comprised…
YEO Conference To Include Session on Blockchain
Update: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 YEO Conference, originally scheduled for May 4-7 in Nashville, will be rolled into the 2020 NAG Conference, Sept. 13-16 in Charlotte. The CBD Retail Trends Conference will transition to a two-part webinar series May 6-7. The seventh annual Young Executives Organization (YEO) Conference, which will be held May 4-6 in Nashville, is set…
7-Eleven Cancels Speedway Acquisition Plans
Seven & i Holdings Co., the parent company of 7-Eleven, has canceled plans to acquire Marathon Petroleum Corp.’s Speedway, according to Bloomberg News. Marathon Petroleum had been in exclusive talks to buy Speedway for $22 billion and had been setting up financing for the expected transaction, as of Feb. 20, but changed course this week.…
Shell Launches ‘She Will’ Initiative for International Women’s Day
In time for International Women’s Day on March 8, Shell is becoming She’ll. The She’ll logo is being featured at a station in San Dimas, Calif. – a site run by a duo of female entrepreneurs, who are part of the executive leadership team, and who own and operate the station and are the largest…
Foodservice, RTD Beverages Star at Southeast Petro
The Southeast Petro Food Marketing Exposition at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center kicked off Wednesday, March 4, with several retailer educational workshop options in the morning before opening several large booth-filled rooms throughout the exhibition facility, living up to its slogan, “The Really Big Expo.” The show occupies nearly every large room in this seaside…
Fountain ‘Serves Up More’ at Gate Petroleum
As a category manager at Jacksonville, Fla.-based Gate Petroleum, Cole Fountain manages the three C’s: cooler (beer and non-alcohol), candy and cakes (snack cakes), for the chain’s approximately 200 Gate convenience stores in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. He also oversees additional category segments, including ice cream, milk, wine and firewood. He’s responsible…
Kempton Keeps Pace With Evolving C-Store Landscape
Peter Kempton, category manager for Westlake, Ohio’s TravelCenters of America (TA), is a re-tail veteran with 25 years of experience that serve him well as he navigates the center store categories for TA’s more than 250 locations nationwide. Those center store categories include ice cream, packaged meat and cheese, frozen/ice, confection, bakery, cookies, salty snacks,…
The Chestnut Market Brand Rises in New York
After years of planning and market testing, Chestnut Petroleum Distributors Inc. (CPD) has begun launching its new Chestnut Market brand to convenience stores in New York. The new brand, which features warm and inviting earth tones and modern graphics, will roll out to dozens of stores over the next two years, said Corporate Brand Manager…
Kwik Chek Adds Value Deals to Menu
Kwik Chek is adding excitement to its foodservice menu with the introduction of limited-time value deals available now through May 3, at select Kwik Chek locations when customers use their kwikcard. “Our guests deserve delicious and affordable menu options, which is exactly why we created our value deals,” said Kevin Smartt, CEO of Spicewood, Texas-based…
Vapor Technology Association Applauds Passage of New Mexico Bill
The Vapor Technology Association (VTA) welcomes the passage of the Tobacco Products Act, signed into law in New Mexico by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on March 4. The governor and Senator Gabriel Ramos (D) pushed for the reform, which is designed to restrict youth access to e-cigarette products, while ensuring adults can continue to enjoy…