Globally speaking, the tobacco accessories market is poised for expansion, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 6.5% for the current decade, according to an analysis by Allied Market Research. The projection accounts for large smoking populations worldwide, like Southeast Asia. Research recently published in JAMA, however, shows the American smoking public is contracting…
Cigars React to Market Conditions
Cigars are feeling the lingering heat of inflation. According to Circana, the price of large mass cigars in U.S. convenience stores last year rose by 5.5%, and the price tag of little cigars, such as cigarillos, also climbed by 5%. The cost of premium cigars was on par with a jump of 4.3%. Prices, however,…
Cigarette Sales Ring in at $53 Billion
For quite some time now, c-store retailers have been watching a downward trend in cigarette sales due in part to inflation, as well as customers shifting to other tobacco segments, including vape and smokeless, and in some cases tobacco-free or nicotine-free options. Cigarette unit sales dropped by 6% during 2023, and the price per unit…
2024 Best Foodservice Launch Awards: Twice Daily
Today, more consumers are gravitating toward c-stores that feature made-to-order food. Twice Daily, which operates 82 locations across Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky, took notice of industry shifts and implemented its own made-to-order line in the fall of 2023. CStore Decisions is recognizing Twice Daily’s new made-to-order foodservice program with a Best Foodservice Launch Award for…
2024 Best Foodservice Launch Awards: Sheetz
Consumers today are on the lookout for a sweet treat, and if they spot a new flavor, trend or something they saw on social media, they’re likely to buy it. Sheetz, which operates 700 locations across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland, took notice of this trend, and it inspired the chain…
2024 Best Store Design Awards: Rutter’s
CStore Decisions is recognizing Rutter’s with a Best Store Design Award for its redesigned York, Pa.-based store that features a second-floor mezzanine and a kitchen. Rutter’s completed the remodel of its convenience store at 1450 Mt Zion Rd, York, Pa., on Dec. 1, 2023, nearly doubling the size of the store from 4,300 square feet…
2024 Best Store Design Awards: Red Barn Market
CStore Decisions is recognizing Red Barn Market with a Best Store Design Award for its visually engaging, upscale and modern design that integrates a contemporary interpretation of barn architecture, employs unique ceiling elements and helps the c-store chain stand out in Michigan. Red Barn Market’s new prototype design debuted at its new-to-industry store in Sterling…
Sweet Sales
Dollar sales in both the chocolate and non-chocolate candy categories in convenience stores are rolling in strong with help from rising prices, even as unit sales dip across many segments. Retailers are reporting that customers today are seeking excitement and newness from the chocolate and non-chocolate categories, and seasonal chocolate and novelty candy unit sales…
Putting Food Safety First
One of the most essential components of running a successful convenience store foodservice program is having different food safety measures in place. To learn more about what retailers are doing regarding food safety, CStore Decisions spoke with Angelle Cloud, foodservice compliance director and dietitian for Shop Rite, which operates 36 Shop Rite stores and 24…
Category Mixology
In mid-December, Empirical Spirits captured headlines and people’s curiosity with the debut of Doritos Vodka. The limited-edition 84-proof novelty spirit purports to smell and taste like the top-selling nacho chip. It is sold in select New York and California markets as well as online at a retail price of $65 for a 750-milliliter bottle. While…