Rutter’s Children’s Charities has announced the return of its $50,000 Youth Sports Giveaway for 2024. Local youth sports leagues or teams can apply online and 50 will be chosen to receive a $1,000 donation for use towards uniforms, equipment, travel expenses and other needs. Youth leagues and teams can apply from March 22 through April…
Mars Makes $70 Million Investment in New Jersey Factory
Mars has announced an investment of more than $70 million in its Hackettstown, N.J., site. The funds will go towards a Research and Development (R&D) Innovation Studio — including a new test kitchen and packaging lab— along with manufacturing efficiencies and advancements in food safety at the Hackettstown manufacturing factory. Mars is a leader in…
Chocolate Succeeds Despite Setbacks
Chocolate remains a popular pick-me-up for customers, but recent price hikes have more customers looking for value, while new launches and a variety of options buoy impulse buys. Overall, category sales are expected to grow in 2024. Chocolate candy dollar sales reached $3.67 billion, a 7.9% increase for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 31, 2023,…
Couche-Tard Teams Up With RELEX Solutions
Alimentation Couche-Tard has announced a new partnership with RELEX Solutions, a provider of supply chain and retail planning solutions. Through the partnership, the companies will implement RELEX solutions across Couche-Tard’s North America operations. The RELEX AI-powered and machine-learning solutions, including demand forecasting, replenishment and advanced space and floor planning, will support the retailer’s Circle K…
Parker’s Opens First Location in Aiken, S.C.
Parker’s Kitchen recently opened its first store in Aiken, S.C. The new store is the “first of many retail locations planned for the Aiken, S.C., and Augusta, Ga., regions,” the company noted in a press release. Strategically positioned at the intersection of Jefferson Davis Hwy. and Hitchcock Pkwy., the company’s newest store offers Southern-style, made-from-scratch…
QuikTrip Partners With 100 Coconuts
QuikTrip has announced a new partnership with 100 Coconuts, a fast-growing premium coconut water brand. With the partnership, QuikTrip customers in Georgia will have access to 100 Coconuts Pure Coconut Water. Following successful launches in Publix and Costco locations across the Southeast, 100 Coconuts continues its expansion by entering 165 QuikTrip’s stores. “Known for its…
Parker’s Named a Top Workplace by USA TODAY
Parker’s Kitchen has been honored with a USA TODAY Top Workplaces USA 2024 award, identifying the company as one of the best places to work in the nation. The USA TODAY 2024 Top Workplaces list, which is viewed as one of the most credible and authentic global employer recognition programs, features companies that have created…
H&S Energy Acquires Andretti Petroleum Group
H&S Energy has announced the successful acquisition of Andretti Petroleum Group’s convenience retail, fuels distribution, cardlock, fleet card, commercial fueling, car wash, lubricants and transportation businesses. Andretti Petroleum Group is one of the largest convenience retail and fuels distribution businesses on the West Coast and Pacific Northwest, operating in northern California, Oregon and Washington. Prior…
bp Debuts Inaugural U.S. EV Charging Gigahub
bp has announced the opening of its new EV charging site at the bp America headquarters in Houston, Texas. The new bp pulse station is the first bp pulse branded Gigahub in the U.S. and will be open to the public on April 2. “As we expand our global footprint, I am thrilled to unveil…
Liquid Barcodes Partners With Verifone and Gilbarco Veeder-Root
Liquid Barcodes has announced its certification as a loyalty partner with both Verifone and Gilbarco Veeder-Root — two leading POS companies. This certification enables Liquid Barcodes’ programs to integrate into existing POS solutions for customers of both Verifone and Gilbarco Veeder-Root. Retailers can activate this functionality by collaborating with Liquid Barcodes to develop personalized mobile…