Wells Fargo weighs in on beverage category numbers. Energy drinks sales are improving, while liquid tea and sports drinks sales remain strong, a recent report by Wells Fargo Securities reported. Total carbonated soft drinks (CSDs)—excluding energy drinks—dollar sales were up 0.1% (up 0.5% for 12-weeks) in the latest XAOC Nielsen period during the four weeks…
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Kickoff Playoff Pandemonium
Reese’s celebrates football postseason with Ref (Jeff) Foxworthy and his Reese’s rules. The Hershey Co. announced the kickoff of Reese’s Playoff Pandemonium, a campaign designed to help fans enjoy the football playoff season. To make sure football fans understand how to ‘properly’ celebrate and entertain, the brand has created Reese’s Rules which will be delivered…
Chevron Working To Bring Apple Pay To The Pump
No timeline on rollout despite reports. Chevron is working with Apple to bring Apple Pay to the pump—possibly by early 2015, reported Apple Insider. The news from Apple Insider came following a Twitter post from Chevron, but Chevron later clarified via Twitter that it has no specific timeline for the pump rollout, but does plan…
Wawa Opening Stores in Palm Beach County
Wawa continues Florida expansion. Wawa has announced it will break ground on its first stores in Palm Beach County in 2016, with more details to come in late January, PalmBeachPost.com reported. The chain has not said where the stores will be located. Wawa has more than 675 stores in six states. The company has opened…
Average Gas Prices Drop Below $2 Per Gallon In Two States
The average price of gas is 30 cents lower in every state compared to one month ago. Average gas prices in two states—Missouri ($1.93) and Oklahoma ($1.98)—have dropped below $2 per gallon for the first time since 2009, according to AAA’s Dec. 29 Daily Fuel Gauge Report. The national average has fallen 95 days in a…
Aloha To Keep Brand Name
Following acquisition by Sunoco LP, Aloha Petroleum to retain brand name. Aloha Petroleum, the largest independent gasoline marketer and one of the largest convenience-store operators in Hawaii, will retain its brand name following its acquisition by Sunoco LP, according to a report by OPIS. OPIS noted this is different from the brand strategy Sunoco adopted…
GPM Investments Acquiring Eight One Stop Food Stores
Stores to convert to the Scotchman brand. GPM Southeast, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GPM Investments LLC, signed an agreement with Arey Oil Co. Inc., to acquire eight convenience stores with gasoline sales. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015. This retail brand acquisition will add to GPM’s existing portfolio…
WatchGuard Outlines Information Security Trends In 2015
From passwords and the Internet of Everything to nation state cyber warfare and jumping mobile malware, WatchGuard helps you gain some security perspective for 2015. WatchGuard Technologies, a leader in multi-function firewalls, revealed its annual security predictions for 2015. Along with its latest predictions, which examine the likelihood of common network security prophecies next year,…
Consumer Food Trends Continue To Evolve in 2015
There’s rising evidence that consumers are shifting the meaning of convenience to include an element of freshness. Ever since the invention of the TV dinner, consumers have expressed a desire to get out of their kitchens in less time, but there is increasing evidence that convenience is being redefined and kitchens aren’t so bad after…
Breaking News: Billy Milam To Become RaceTrac President in 2015
Max Lenker says goodbye after 40 years of service to RaceTrac. RaceTrac Petroleum announced today that Billy Milam is set to take on the role of RaceTrac’s president, effective Jan. 1, 2015. “The ringing in of a new year allows us all to reminisce about the successes of our past, but more importantly, it allows…