Category Trends: Page 7

  • white claw, vodka
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    Courtesy of White Claw
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    RTD alcohol is embracing bold flavors. Here are 3 trends to watch.

    Heat, hops and fruit flavors are growing across the category, but a move toward spirits-based beverages might leave many convenience retailers behind.

    By • Dec. 21, 2023
  • Bagged snack foods in a grocery store aisle.
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    Hitra via Getty Images
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    CPGs are masking inflation by deceiving consumers, lawmaker says

    Federal data shows that smaller package sizes have played a significant role in driving up unit costs, hurting shoppers while benefiting suppliers, Sen. Bob Casey said last week in letters to four industry groups.

    By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 19, 2023
  • A photo of the kitchen area of the new Dash In.
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    Jessica Loder/C-Store Dive/C-Store Dive
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    4 new c-store formats rolling out across the industry

    From a greater focus on food to increased floor space and fully automated designs, convenience retailers have been trying new looks to improve operations and stand out from the crowd.

    By • Dec. 13, 2023
  • A photo of the exterior of a Rusty Lantern Market.
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    Permission granted by Paragon Solutions
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    Rusty Lantern Markets unveils ‘next-generation’ store design

    The updated store in Turner, Maine, features an indoor/outdoor fireplace, more seating and a larger kitchen with a streamlined design to expedite in-store and online orders. 

    By • Dec. 8, 2023
  • Campbell Soup's brings its nearly $1 billion Goldfish brand into crisps.
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    Courtesy of Campbell Soup
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    Campbell Soup’s Goldfish launches potato chip-inspired crisps

    The innovation marks the first time the food manufacturer incorporated spuds into the nearly $1 billion snacking brand, which is popular among teens and adults.

    By Christopher Doering • Dec. 7, 2023
  • In this photo illustration, bottles of Modelo Especial beer sit on a table.
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Beer slump helped by growth in premium offerings, Constellation Brands CFO says

    The executive noted consumers are spending more on expensive brews, helping the Modelo and Corona maker gain shelf space.

    By Chris Casey • Dec. 6, 2023
  • A photo of coffee from Stewart's Shops along with winter holiday decorations.
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    Permission granted by Stewart's Shops
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    Stewart’s launches coffee delivery subscription

    Customers can get bagged or specialty coffee delivered to their homes every week, every two weeks or every month.

    By • Dec. 4, 2023
  • A photo of people wearing Kwik Trip ugly sweaters and beanie hats.
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    Permission granted by Kwik Trip
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    Kwik Trip rolls out new ugly sweater, other seasonal merch

    This marks the third year the company has sold the tacky staple as it unveils its latest round of holiday merchandise.

    By • Dec. 1, 2023
  • Stryve
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    Retrieved from Stryve Foods.
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    Several c-store retailers tap air-dried jerky manufacturer

    Dash In, Family Express and others have entered the biltong category through new partnerships with healthy snacking company Stryve Foods.

    By • Nov. 28, 2023
  • Urban Value Corner Store
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    Permission granted by Urban Value Corner Store
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    How Urban Value got delivery right

    After a couple tries, the Texas-based company forged a partnership that streamlined fulfillment and tripled its delivery sales year over year.

    By • Nov. 27, 2023
  • Frito-lay, PepsiCo, chips
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    Christopher Doering/C-Store Dive
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    PepsiCo sets goals to lower sodium, incorporate more diverse ingredients

    The Doritos manufacturer is in “a constant cycle of innovation to reimagine” foods so they are better for consumers without compromising on taste, a top executive said.

    By Christopher Doering • Nov. 17, 2023
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from 7-Eleven.
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    7-Eleven debuts new holiday-themed merchandise

    The items available via the retailer’s 7Collection line include sweaters, gift bags and more.

    By • Nov. 15, 2023
  • A photo of a cup of 7-Eleven cocoa on a red background with a few candy canes and Christmas tree ornaments on it.
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    Holiday drinks continue the resurgence of c-store LTOs

    Companies like 7-Eleven, Wawa and EG America are adding peppermint-flavored seasonal options including shakes, coffee-based drinks and cocoa as the year-end festivities approach.

    By • Nov. 13, 2023
  • Coca-Cola
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    Christopher Doering/C-Store Dive
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    CPGs diversify pack sizes to reach cost-pressured consumers

    Inflation has driven some customers to trade down to smaller packages, while others try to save by buying larger multipacks.

    By Maria Rachal • Nov. 9, 2023
  • A photo of a Rutter's location.
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Rutter’s continues line of limited-time beers

    The retailer’s latest partnership, with Rusty Rail Brewing, continues its two-year trend of creating private label alcoholic beverages.

    By • Nov. 6, 2023
  • ocean spray zero
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    Courtesy of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
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    Ocean Spray debuts zero sugar varieties as juice category fractures

    With many consumers abandoning sugary fruit beverages for healthier alternatives, leading brands are working to win them back by cutting out sugar.

    By Chris Casey • Nov. 3, 2023
  • A row of king-sized Hershey chocolate bars sit on the shelf in a store.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Hershey planning ‘higher levels’ of innovation for 2024, CEO says

    Michele Buck said new offerings, including the launch of Reese’s Caramel, will play a large role in driving its overall business as well as increasing merchandising at retail.

    By Christopher Doering • Nov. 2, 2023
  • wawa
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    Retrieved from Wawa.
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    Mapping Wawa’s expansion plans

    As the popular convenience retailer moves into new regions, here’s a look at the plans it’s revealed so far across seven new states.

    By , • Oct. 31, 2023
  • Celsius, energy drink
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    Permission granted by Celsius
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    5 energy drink trends c-store retailers expect into 2024

    Celsius and some smaller brands should see big growth in the months ahead as the overall category continues to boom, according to a Goldman Sachs survey of retailers representing 40,000 c-stores.

    By • Oct. 30, 2023
  • rapid hydrtation, electrolit
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    Retrieved from Electrolit.
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    Keurig Dr Pepper enters sports hydration with Electrolit partnership

    This deal makes the soda, water and coffee giant's wide distribution network in stores and multiple channels available to the rapid hydration brand.

    By Christopher Doering • Oct. 27, 2023
  • NACS Show
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    Brett Dworski/C-Store Dive
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    Recapping the highlights from the 2023 NACS Show

    Relive the event with C-Store Dive’s coverage of the seminars, announcements and more from the annual industry gathering.

    By • Oct. 19, 2023
  • Jelly Belly, jelly beans, candy
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    Neilson Barnard via Getty Images
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    Ferrara to purchase candy maker Jelly Belly for undisclosed amount

    The deal would combine the jelly bean manufacturer with Ferrara’s portfolio of sweets such as Laffy Taffy, Red Hots and Brach’s.

    By Christopher Doering • Oct. 19, 2023
  • A photo of Rutter's loaded potato pizza.
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    Permission granted by Rutter's
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    Limited-time offers have come roaring back to life. Here’s how c-stores are capitalizing.

    After a dip during the height of the pandemic, LTOs have been gaining steam and are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels as retailers look to spur traffic with exciting new dishes.

    By Christine Blank • Oct. 18, 2023
  • A photo of several flavors of TXB-brand beef jerky.
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    Permission granted by TXB
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    Back to Basics: How to operate a successful private label brand

    Proprietary items work best if retailers differentiate them through either cost or innovation and are thoughtful about choosing categories, experts say.

    By Amanda Baltazar • Oct. 16, 2023
  • Caribou Coffee's 2023 pumpkin LTOs.
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    Courtesy of Caribou Coffee
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    How pumpkin spice became the unshakeable king of coffee LTOs

    Developing the autumnal flavor for cold drinks, which are surging in popularity, is a technical feat. But recent innovations may secure the flavor’s dominance for years to come, experts say.

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 13, 2023