Category Trends: Page 6

  • Celsius energy drinks at a convenience store in Boca Raton, Florida
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    Christopher Doering/C-Store Dive
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    4 energy drink trends for the rest of 2024

    Convenience stores should brace for higher prices but can use deals, variety and sizing flexibility to draw in customers.

    By Christine Blank • July 1, 2024
  • A photo of a person vaping.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Njoy earns FDA’s first menthol e-cigarette marketing approval

    The Altria-owned company can sell the pods and disposable vapes as it looks to expand its distribution to 100,000 stores by the end of the year.

    By • June 25, 2024
  • Casey's
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    Retrieved from Casey's.
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    Opinion

    How to drive traffic by leaning into loyalty

    It’s not enough to have a rewards program. You need to use it strategically to understand your customers’ behavior and actively tailor offers to their actions, writes NexChapter VP of Digital Strategy Mike Templeton.

    By Mike Templeton • June 24, 2024
  • Prices are displayed at an ExxonMobil gas station
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Federal court dismisses ExxonMobil lawsuit against activist shareholder

    Judge Mark Pittman said “second time’s the charm” for Arjuna Capital, and ruled the case to be moot following the investor’s pledge to not submit climate proposals to the energy giant.

    By Lamar Johnson • June 20, 2024
  • A person sits at a desk with an open laptop in front of them. Their head is hidden by smoke and the hand is holding a vaping device.
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    FDA, DOJ partner to target illegal vapes

    A coalition of multiple federal agencies will try to rein in the thousands of illegally sold e-cigarette products across the U.S.

    By • June 13, 2024
  • A photo of a grassy, fenced-in area. A blue and white sign with a picture of a dog's face on it reads "pet area. You must remain with your pet at all times. No aggressive play. Please clean up after your pet."
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    Permission granted by TravelCenters of America
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    How pets are becoming c-stores’ best friends

    Sales of pet products have spiked at convenience stores recently, and experts say there are many ways retailers can build a solid connection with pet owners.

    By Christine Blank • June 12, 2024
  • A photo of a Rutter's location.
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Rutter’s expanding toward eastern Maryland

    The convenience retailer’s growth is expected to move through Maryland and into Virginia and Delaware in the next few years.

    By • June 11, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from 7-Eleven.
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    7-Eleven rolls out summer gear

    This marks the third time this year 7-Eleven has debuted new items on its online shop, which has become a focal point for the company’s marketing efforts.

    By • June 5, 2024
  • A photo of an oil rig at sunset.
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    Courtesy of ConocoPhillips
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    ConocoPhillips to acquire Marathon Oil for $22.5B

    The tie-up would give the oil giant an extra 2 billion barrels of oil and result in $500 million in annual synergies.

    By • May 30, 2024
  • A photo of a person vaping.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Njoy seeks FDA approval for new vaping device, flavored pods

    The new Njoy Ace 2.0 uses bluetooth technology to limit underage use.

    By • May 22, 2024
  • A photo of an ice cream sign inside Wally's.
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    Permission granted by Wally's
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    4 trends to watch in frozen treats

    Inflation has slowed unit sales among icy desserts, but there are pockets of the category still performing well and reasons for optimism, experts say.

    By Christine Blank • May 21, 2024
  • Packages of Neptune's fish jerky at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis in 2024.
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    Christopher Doering/C-Store Dive
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    5 attention-grabbing products from the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo

    Fish jerky, ramen-flavored popcorn and gum with more caffeine than a cup of coffee were among the innovative products featured by 1,000 exhibitors.

    By Christopher Doering • May 20, 2024
  • A photo of the exterior of a retail store with a lot of people walking around it. The sign on the store says Wawa.
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    Screenshot of Wawa grand opening video

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    Wawa announces first travel center

    The site in North Carolina will include expanded parking as well as indoor seating, larger bathrooms and more, an official said on Wednesday.

    By • May 17, 2024
  • A rendering of the exterior of a convenience store in a parking lot with a few cars parked around it. Signs on the building say Rutter's.
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Rutter’s breaks ground on new c-store prototype

    The first site with a 13,500-square-foot floor plan and a “brand new look” will open its doors in Milton, Pennsylvania, later this year.

    By • May 15, 2024
  • Del Monte Foods is expanding production and distribution of its Joyba bubble tea to meet growing demand.
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    Permission granted by Del Monte Foods
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    Del Monte Foods boosts production, distribution of fast-growing bubble tea brand

    Joyba's success comes amid broader momentum in the global bubble tea market, with sales projected to nearly triple to $6.2 billion by 2032. 

    By Christopher Doering • May 10, 2024
  • Bagged snack foods in a grocery store aisle.
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    Hitra via Getty Images
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    The Ozempic effect is real: Study zeroes in on GLP-1 users’ food needs

    Companies have an opportunity to jump on the snacking needs of this new demographic with products focused on protein, portion size and hydration.

    By Jennifer Lawinski • May 9, 2024
  • A promotional image of Subway's footlong chocolate chip cookies.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Back to Basics: What builds a good snacking menu?

    Consumers’ demand for specific snack items depends on their mood, time of day and ease of travel, experts said, opening up an array of traffic-boosting innovation opportunities. 

    By Danielle McLean • May 7, 2024
  • Murphy USA
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    Retrieved from Murphy USA website.
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    For Murphy USA, tobacco is king

    The c-store retailer has made significant gains in the category in recent months thanks to its low-cost structure and promotional activity.

    By • May 3, 2024
  • Sheetz Freak campaign
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    Courtesy of Sheetz
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    Column

    Campaign Trail: Sheetz encourages fans to unleash their inner Freakz

    Consumer ids come to life as red plushies in ads from the c-store retailer that marry value propositions and human truths.

    By Chris Kelly • May 2, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from 7-Eleven.
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    7-Eleven launches gaming-themed merch line

    The retailer has partnered with Tetris on co-branded shirts, hats and more for its 7Collection assortment.

    By • May 1, 2024
  • A photo of the candy aisle inside a 7-Eleven.
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    Permission granted by Amanda Baltazar
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    4 candy trends for c-stores to watch right now

    While many customers want their indulgences to be functional, others are focused on nostalgic favorites or innovations from small producers, experts say.

    By Amanda Baltazar • May 1, 2024
  • A photo of a pack of Marlboro menthol cigarettes, with several cigarettes loose on a black surface around it.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Menthol ban delayed yet again

    Despite first being proposed in 2013, the rule that would prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes remains in limbo.

    By • April 29, 2024
  • general admission boston beer
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    Courtesy of Boston Beer
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    Boston Beer fuses beer and seltzer flavors in nonalcoholic offering

    The Sam Adams maker is debuting a new offering in the booze-free category and using it as a platform to debut nationwide direct-to-consumer shipping.

    By Chris Casey • April 25, 2024
  • A photo of a GoMart store.
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    Permission granted by GoMart
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    GoMart opening concession stands in Charleston Coliseum

    The convenience retailer has tied offers for tickets into its loyalty program and offers free drinks to people who buy souvinir cups at events.

    By • April 23, 2024
  • mingle mocktails
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    Courtesy of Mingle Mocktails
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    Mingle Mocktails aims to spark a zero-proof cocktail craze

    The nonalcoholic brand says its products, which do not directly mimic the taste of alcohol, can satisfy consumers looking for an alternative option in social situations.

    By Chris Casey • April 23, 2024