The Latest

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  7-Eleven, Arko lead August c-store exec changes

  RaceTrac also announced plans to hire a new tech leader, and Maverik added a VP of retail operations.

  Operations

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  Rhodes Convenience Stores names new COO

  Robert Cisneros joins the Missouri-based c-store from Procter & Gamble, where he held a variety of operations and leadership roles for 29 years.

  Operations

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  Wawa opens first travel center, promises 2 more

  The 8,000-square-foot store adds another new format to the East Coast retailer’s growing store lineup.

  Operations

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  Column

  3 Big Numbers: Retailers open eye-catching new stores

  Sheetz hit a milestone, Wawa debuted a travel center and Buc-ee’s partnered with Texas A&M University for a unique merch deal.

  Category Trends

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  PepsiCo ups stake in Celsius to 11% with $585M deal

  Celsius also will acquire the beverage giant’s Rockstar Energy drink brand and add Alani Nu to PepsiCo’s distribution system in the U.S. and Canada.

  Category Trends

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  6 major c-store players entering new states

  Whether through buying stores or building their own, companies like Wawa, Alimentation Couche-Tard and QuikTrip are testing new markets this year.

  M&A

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  BP joins Axonet retail media network

  The oil giant’s retail arm has partnered with the media platform to provide advertising through BP’s loyalty program and in-store touchpoints.

  Technology

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  How c-stores can get the most from store surveillance

  Fav Trip uses facial recognition to target returning criminals while Refuel’s AI-powered CCTV platform can automatically flag suspicious activity.

  Technology

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  Wawa opens c-store on Villanova campus

  The new location near the center of the main campus is the retailer’s latest push to reach college students.

  Category Trends

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  Spindrift discontinues alcohol offering amid decline in hard seltzers

  The beverage maker will end production of its Spiked line after four years, noting it took “substantial resources and time.”

  Category Trends

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  Buc-ee’s strikes first deal to sell merchandise outside its stores

  An agreement with Texas A&M University makes 45 items available for sale at three locations on the school’s campus.

  Operations

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  Kwik Trip pays $35K in EEOC settlement

  The Midwestern convenience retailer was accused of not providing reasonable accommodations for an employee with a medical restriction.

  Labor

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  GPM Investments names foodservice VP

  The retailer promoted Carlos Pinzon after Richard Guidry, who has been senior vice president of food and beverage for the past two years, left the company.

  Operations

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  Fall flavors lead c-store menu changes

  Pumpkin spice and apple-based flavors are beginning to take hold at multiple convenience stores, while Rutter’s returns to its Spam partnership.

  Foodservice

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  Keurig Dr Pepper to buy JDE Peet’s for $18B to boost struggling coffee business

  Once the deal closes, the company plans to separate its coffee and beverage units into two independent, publicly listed operations.

  M&A

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  Column

  3 Big Numbers: A big week for c-store M&A

  After a relatively slow start to the year, the convenience retail industry saw four deals come to light in quick succession.

  M&A

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  Maverik names new VP of retail operations

  Myles Gift joins the retailer after spending most of his career working in the QSR industry.

  Operations

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  Mega Saver acquiring 23 Kum & Go stores in 2 states

  The Nebraska retailer, which bought three sites in June, is now purchasing locations in South Dakota and Iowa.

  M&A

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  FDA denies marketing for Blu vape

  While a few e-cigarette products can be advertised in the U.S., the agency said in its denial that “not all e-cigarettes are equal.”

  Category Trends

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  Jacksons acquires 24-store chain in Northern California

  The Idaho retailer’s purchase of Redwood Oil Company nearly doubles its footprint in California and marks its first foray into made-to-order foodservice.

  M&A

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  RaceTrac looking to hire first CIO as top tech exec retires

  John Lukas transformed RaceTrac’s store technology infrastructure, revamped its loyalty app and spearheaded the IT integration of RaceTrac’s 2023 acquisition of Gulf Oil during his tenure.

  Technology

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  EG Group moving global HQ to Charlotte as US growth takes center stage

  The new headquarters will house “key finance, legal and other corporate personnel” in a shift that aims to “offer the strongest possible support,” the company said on Wednesday.

  Operations

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  Stewart’s plans another acquisition

  While the agreement has not been finalized, the New York-based retailer is under contract to buy multiple locations from local chain Sliders Food Mart.

  M&A

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  Tracking 7-Eleven and Circle K’s US overlap

  There are 3,300 7-Eleven c-stores within a 5-minute driving radius of a Circle K across America, according to mapping data by intelligence platform Locatium.

  Operations

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  Birdies Food & Fuel acquires 2 Circle K stores in Louisiana

  The deal became effective Aug. 11 and netted Couche-Tard over $2.8 million, records show.

  Operations

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