Earlier this month, five U.S. senators, led by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), issued warning letters to 22 major retailers and distributors for the sale of allegedly unauthorized vape products. Other senators involved in the issuing of the letters include Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The…
bp and Shell Donate $1.7 Million to Launch Energy Trading Program
bp America and Shell Energy North America have announced a combined donation of $1,675,250 to Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) to support the establishment of a dedicated energy trading program (ETP) in its College of Business. “The funding and development of the ETP in partnership with PVAMU is in direct support of bp America and…
Love’s to Host Two-Day National Hiring Event
Love’s Travel Stops has announced its two-day National Hiring Event — taking place on March 26 and 27 — through which the chain seeks to hire 2,000 employees. The in-person event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores and Speedco and Love’s Truck Care…
Snack Sales Climb
Despite higher prices, customers are still snacking, and they’re seeking flavor innovation, protein, energy and taste from their snack options. The convenience store salty snack category saw dollar sales of $8.08 billion, a gain of 14%, for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2023, according to Circana. Units sold topped 2.87 billion, a rise of…
Marathon Refinery Helps Raise $140,000 for Boys & Girls Club
In February, Marathon Petroleum’s Robinson refinery co-sponsored and organized the Crawford County Youth Foundation Gala, which included a silent and live auction. More than 250 community members attended the event at Robinson’s Stoney Ridge Event Center. Proceeds topped the $100,000 fundraising goal by over $40,000. The money will help establish a Boys & Girls Club…
Sheetz Breaks Ground on First Detroit Location
Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz recently gathered with elected officials and representatives from local nonprofit organizations to break ground on its first Detroit, Mich., area location. Located in Romulus, Mich., this will be the first of 50-60 locations Sheetz plans to open in the Detroit area within the next five to six years. This store is projected…
U-Stop Convenience Shops Acquires 11 Shop Quik Locations
Lincoln, Neb.-based U-Stop Convenience Shops has completed the acquisition of 11 company-operated stores from Shop Quik Convenience Stores, based in Manhattan, Kan. Shop Quik Convenience Stores was started in 1981 when Greg and Pat Junghans opened their first liquor store in Junction City, Kan., and their first convenience store in 1983. Over the years, they…
Elevating the Shopper Experience
The most extraordinary structure is only as strong as its weakest link. The same principle applies in business. The higher up the leadership chain a weakness exists, the more likely the organization is to crumble. Convenience stores’ weaknesses at any level are magnified because we are such a people business. Enter any store, and you…
Energy Drinks Enjoy Strong Sales
The energy drink category finished 2023 off with a bang in terms of sales and is expected to continue thriving in 2024. Dollar sales for energy drinks reached $14.1 billion, a 14.6% increase for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 31, 2023, according to Circana. Energy drink unit sales reached 4.67 billion, up 8.8% for the…
EnviroSpark to Build DC Fast Chargers at Georgia Shell Station, Waffle House
Georgia-based EnviroSpark has announced that it will build DC fast chargers at a Shell station in Metter, Ga., in addition to a Waffle House site in Tifton. The company is using National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding that was awarded by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). EnviroSpark, which won two of the five open…