DES MOINES – Iowa grocery chain Dahl’s Foods Inc. announced plans to begin selling gasoline in August with the launch of its first convenience store, Dahl’s Fuel, featuring eight fuel pumps and a car wash, reports ProgressiveGrocer.com.

Dahl’s President David Sinnwell told the Des Moines Register that the company’s goal is to provide greater convenience for its customers. Real estate permitting, the company plans to add gas stations at several of its 11 locations. “How fast and how many [gas stations] we build will depend on the success of the first one," he said.

In the South, Publix Super Markets Inc. plans to open its seventh Pix convenience store in May in Seminole, Florida. The 160-square-foot store will also sell gasoline, notes ProgressiveGrocer.com. Publix currently operates five Pix locations in Florida and one in Franklin, Tenn. The stores range from 160 square feet to 4,000 square feet. The larger stores feature ATMs and a foodservice offer that provides custom sub sandwiches and pre-made subs.

”Pix is a project we've been working on for five years,” Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous told the news source, adding, “Like any other project we undertake, our goal is to understand the business, and understand what our customers are looking for in the business.”