Consumers’ quest for healthier snack options is changing the face of traditional c-store offerings. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. A new national study by Amplify Snack Brands and the Center for Generational Kinetics indicates Millennials have been the driving force behind the growth of the better-for-you snack category. Among the findings, 64% of Millennials—more than…
Clearing a Path for Smokeless
Despite unexpected challenges, smokeless tobacco sales continue strong gains. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Expectations are high for the long-term health of the smokeless tobacco category, which has been performing strongly since last year. Bonnie Herzog, managing director–equity research beverage, household & personal care, tobacco & c-stores for Wells Fargo Securities LLC, reported recently that…
Cigar Market Remains Competitive
Despite a full-court press from regulators, cigar sales are still on the rebound. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor When the original Tobacco Control Act was signed into law on June 22, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was given “authority to regulate the manufacture, distribution and marketing of tobacco products.” The government was…
Meat Snacks Gain Weight
Convenience store customers crave variety, which is a big draw in today’s meat snacks category. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor From a wide variety of flavor offerings, including specialty meats, to various textures and forms, the meat snacks category succeeds in meeting consumers’ desires. The category is well positioned at what some refer to as…
E-Cigs at Critical Juncture
After a meteoric rise in the market during the last few years, the future of e-cigarettes now rests with regulators, innovators. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s deeming regulations on vapor products could shift the $3 billion that e-cigarettes/vape are estimated to generate this year in brick-and-mortar stores to…
Cigars Press On
More regulatory policies continue to exert a downward pressure on the resilient category. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor As fall turns into winter, convenience store operators continue to track the trends—both commercial and legislative—affecting the cigar category. From concerns over deeming regulations to consumers’ ongoing desire for smaller, cheaper cigarillos, new flavors and limited-time promotional…
Beer Changes With the Times
While demand for beer is on the rise, changing demographics and state laws are helping shape the adult beverage segment even more. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor In terms of volume sales, the largest beer category continues to be mid-priced standard lager, which accounted for a 43% share of total U.S. beer volume sales last…
Sales of Accessories Heat Up
Though lighters and other tobacco accessories remain fortified by cigarettes, other tobacco products and related offerings promise to generate robust sales. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Business remains steady in the tobacco accessories category, with much of the industry buzz focusing on accessories for a pair of unrelated product lines—electronic cigarettes and legalized marijuana. In…
Car Washes Still Sparkle
A car wash can be a profitable venture for convenience stores, but retailers should ensure they do their homework. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor A well-run car wash operation can do plenty of good for a convenience store, from driving traffic to promoting value and squeezing revenue out of more of the site’s square footage.…
Weighing Open-Loop Cards
Convenience stores can generate more customer interest with the right prepaid card program. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Open-loop prepaid cards present an ongoing opportunity for c-stores, especially since the prepaid market is fostering activities that are putting more of these types of cards in consumers’ hands. Open-loop is a term most often associated with…