Jun 19, 2013
U.S. Smoking Rate Declines
A new CDC report reveals that the smoking rate for adults in the United States dropped to 18% in 2012.
Costco Tops List as Most Popular Gas Station
According to a recent Market Force survey, wholesale clubs continue to lure customers to their pumps.
Will New FDA Graphic Tobacco Warning Labels Pass Legal Challenge?
A Georgetown public health expert and attorney examine what the FDA must do to prevail.
Grab-and-Go Sales on the Rise
Packaging Digest offers tips to help retailers leverage the growth of the grab-and-go drink segment.
U.S. Exports Oil to the World
For the first time since the 1970s, the United States is exporting more oil.
Acheiving a Less Assembly-Line Look
Food manufacturers are attempting to make their products look less mass-produced and more rustic and homemade.
Jun 18, 2013
Automakers Reluctant to Sell Zero-Emission Vehicles
Car manufacturers are under pressure to meet California’s sales target of having electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered cars account for 15% of new-car purchases by 2025.
Younger Consumers Ditch Credit Cards
The youth of America is opting for debit or prepaid cards instead of credit cards.
Will Health-Care Law Prompt Companies to Halt Insurance?
The Wall Street Journal explores the effects of the Affordable Care Act on corporate America.
Bloomberg Seeks to Mandate Food Composting
A residential composting program will begin as voluntary but eventually become mandatory, officials predict.
U.K. Retailers Sacrifice Pay to Keep Stores Open
More than half of U.K. shop owners said they earn less than the minimum wage, when factoring hours worked and take-home pay.
Australia Approves Five-Star Rating System for Food Nutrition
The voluntary nutrition rating system is designed to encourage healthy eating.
High's of Baltimore Launches With Open Store by GasBuddy
The partnership includes a new mobile app, website and rewards program.
Jun 17, 2013
New York City Lawmakers Introduce Foam Foodservice Ban
The announcement comes despite mounting concerns over the ban’s potential impact to the city’s small businesses and taxpayers.
Pride Stores Named Best Convenience Store
Reader Raves voters rated the Massachusetts retailer the top local c-store.
General Mills Embraces Healthy Options
Retailers can expect new products this year that tap into better-for-you snacking options.
‘Suspended’ Coffee Helps Java Drinkers Spread the Love
The act-of-kindness concept is taking off across Canadian coffee shops.
Diesel Cars Making a Green Comeback
Registrations for diesel cars and SUVs increased 55% in California from 2010 to 2012.
Jun 14, 2013
Discover Ways to Beat the Competition
Participate in the learnings and share your experience with the Playbook for Success, based on research by the NACS/CCRRC.
Roughly 20% of Retailers Will Slash Hours Ahead of Health-Care Law
Other businesses plan to increase worker contributions to health care or halt employer-subsidies of dependents.
Oklahoma Senator: Refiners to Close Because of Renewable Fuel Policies
U.S. Senator Tom Coburn pointed to the high Renewable Fuel Standards credits as the main reasons two refineries in his state could shut down.
Two Oregon Bills Would Change Cigarette Taxes
One would increase the state tax on cigarettes, while the other would give counties the authority to add a cigarette tax of their own.
Low-Cal Foods, Beverages Boost Revenue
Sixteen food and beverage companies say reduced calorie products account for nearly $100 billion in annual sales.
Natural Gas, Renewables Find Common Ground in Texas
The two energy sources should complement, not compete, with each other in the Lone Star State.
Rutter’s Celebrates National Dairy Month
The dairy company has been selling fresh milk since 1921.
Jun 13, 2013
New York City Seeks Soda Ban Revival
Mayor Bloomberg’s administration is seeking a reinstatement of the city’s ban on sugary drinks.
Maine House Supports GMO Food Labeling Requirement
Legislation that would require genetically modified food products to include special labels passed the Maine House of Representatives.
Oneida Indian Tax Settlement Disrupts Playing Field for New York Retailers
NYACS says that the lopsided deal would instead codify gas/tobacco price advantages and regulatory immunity for tribal stores.
Michigan Attorney General Warns Fuel Retailers Against Price Gouging
Amid rising gas prices, Attorney General Bill Schuette issued a stern warning to retailers that the state will take action if they gouge consumers at the pump.
CVS Launches Proprietary Food Line
Three premium ground coffees have been added to the drug store chain’s premium private-label line of food and beverages.
Bud Light Platinum Launches Reclosable Aluminum Bottle
The new packaging is available at Las Vegas nightclubs and pools, with nationwide rollout expected later this year.
Jun 12, 2013
Convenience Channel Experiences Above-Average Growth
A new IRI report finds that the convenience store channel, when compared to grocery and drug stores, was the only channel that enjoyed both dollar and unit sales growth in 2012.
New Jersey Retailers Oppose Generator Mandate
With hurricane season in full swing, fuel retailers argue that generator legislation won’t help fuel shortages triggered by weather.
Big Oil Exiting Canadian Gas Station Business
An annual survey reveals a continued drop in outlets operated by integrated refiner-marketers and a decrease in the number of retail fuel sites in Canada.
Cumberland Farms Expands Health Insurance Availability
The New England-based convenience store chain will reclassify 1,500 workers as full-time employees.
Downsized Eating
Consumers are making healthier choices at restaurants by cutting out dessert, drinking water or opting for a smaller portion size.
Drive-Thru Convenience Store Fights to Stay Open
Coolers is using marketing campaigns to convince customers that its business model is a fun and convenient shopping option.
Jun 11, 2013
NACS Survey: Evolve the Renewable Fuels Standard
To examine current market conditions, NACS surveyed both consumers and fuel retailers to assess their familiarity with E15 and E85.
Virginia Launches Cents-Per-Gallon Gas Tax
The nation’s first CPG gas tax takes effect July 1, 2013.
E-Cigarettes Attracting Investors
Former Facebook president and Napster co-founder Sean Parker is heading a group that has invested $75 million in electronic-cigarette firm NJOY Inc.
Minnesotans Scurry to Buy Smokes
Cigarette sales in Minnesota are surging in advance of a July 1 excise tax increase of $2.52 per pack.
PCI SSC Updates PIN Transaction Security Standard
Version 4.0 enhances security for accepting and processing payment cards.
White Castle Launches Slider Contest
The Crave Time Cook-Off challenges slider lovers to break out their burger recipes and get creative.
Jun 10, 2013
U.S. Representative Calls for Legalizing Online Gambling
Legislation introduced by Representative Pete King (R-NY) would give states and Native American tribes the right to opt out of a federal system and keep their own internal gaming practices.
CST Brands Opens Largest Corner Store in Three Rivers
The 10,100 square-foot Travel Center serves customers in the heart of the Eagle Ford Shale.
Mobile Grocery Store Rolls Into Tulsa 'Food Desert'
R&G Family Grocers is planning to bring a mobile store to North and West Tulsa twice weekly, offering produce, meat and dairy products.
NCR Brings C-Go Mobile Shopping App to Spinx
C-Go allows customers to initiate a fuel transaction, select the amount of gas they want and pay with their smartphones.
Ohio Launches New Childhood Obesity Initiative
The program features messages around physical activity and nutrition that focuses on both kids and their parents.
SodaStream Threat: Real or Perceived?
Analysts say the at-home soda maker is a "disruptive force" in the soft drink industry.
Jun 7, 2013
Connecticut Approves Measure to Halt Vapor Recovery Equipment
Pending the governor’s signature, retailers in the state will be able to remove Stage II vapor recovery systems from their fuel pumps.
Consumers Shop Convenience Stores as Often as Supermarkets
Nearly 60% of survey respondents say they stop in a convenience store more than once a week.
QuikTrip Voted Most Popular Convenience Store
A Market Force study found that top convenience retailers excel in cleanliness, friendliness and food quality, and tend to be regional favorites.
Self-Service Shopping Grows in Popularity
Sixty-one percent of global consumers are willing to shop in an omni-channel, self-service, completely automated store.
Most American Adults Own Smartphones
Overall, 91% of all adults in the United States have some type of cell phone device.
Bud Light Reinvents the Can
The new vented can will be tested in the Louisville, Kentucky, market this summer.
Jun 6, 2013
NYC Anti-Obesity Campaign Targets Sugary Beverages
Funded by the city health department, the new ads expand the “Pouring on the Pounds” campaign by focusing on other sugar-sweetened beverages.
Dollar General Trims Name Brands
The retailer is boosting its private-label brands as part of an effort to increase gross margins.
Amazon Expands Fresh Grocery Delivery
AmazonFresh moves into Los Angeles, although the online retailer’s fresh grocery delivery service has yet to turn a profit.
Israel Boosts Alcohol Tax
Effective July 1, the new tax rate will increase from $23 to $28.50 per liter.
Pizza Hut Launches 10-Day Carryout Promo
In celebration of its 55th anniversary, the pizza chain is offering a one-topping, large pizza promo that’s being characterized as a value play.
Panera Expands Pay-What-You-Can Concept
The fast-casual chain is adding a pay-what-you-can item to the menu at its St. Louis stores.
Jun 5, 2013
Cancer Society Pushes for Flavored Tobacco Ban in New York
The ban would encompass all candy- and fruit-flavored tobacco products sold in convenience stores, making them available only in tobacco shops.
E15 Still Available at Iowa Gas Stations
The Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa disputes claims that Big Oil is shutting out homegrown E15.
Governor Cuomo Announces ‘Fuel NY’ Initiative
Up to $17 million in federal Hurricane Sandy relief funding will be used to improve access to fuel during severe storms or major weather events.
Bill to Ban Smoking in Cars With Kids Heads to Oregon Governor
The state House and Senate approved a measure that would forbid smoking in vehicles with passengers under the age of 18.
Seven & I Expands North American Presence
7-Eleven’s parent company is planning to double its North American locations to at least 20,000.
Dunkin’ Donuts Debuts Breakfast Sandwich Nationwide
The donut chain has been testing its Glazed Donut Breakfast Sandwich, made with a fried egg and bacon, since mid-spring.
Jun 4, 2013
Missouri Lottery Approves Ticket Sales at the Pump
Customers will soon be able to purchase lottery tickets at gas pumps and ATMs throughout the state.
Walgreens Flagship Stores Growing in Number
Sprawling, one-stop shops are popping up in densely populated urban centers.
Tim Hortons Camp Day Helps Deserving Kids
All coffee sale proceeds at Tim Hortons tomorrow will help fund summer camp experiences for underprivileged children.
Starbucks Bans Smoking Within 25 Feet of Store Entrances
The company is also banning e-cigarettes from all of its U.S. and Canada locations.
Pennsylvania Program Encourages Natural Gas Vehicle Conversion
State officials are providing up $10 million in incentives for companies and organizations to convert vehicles to run on natural gas.
Treasury Department OKs Use of Nutritional Labels for Alcohol
The voluntary ruling means it will be up to beer, wine and spirits companies to decide whether to use labels on their products.
Jun 3, 2013
California Senate Throws Out Plastic Bag Ban
State senators voted down a proposal that sought an outright ban on plastic bags throughout California.
Convenience, Gas and Sushi
Retailers like Mr. Fast in Texas continue to redefine and innovate convenience store foodservice.
Hurricane Season is Officially Underway
President Obama held a briefing with oil and gas industry executives for an update ahead of the 2013 hurricane season, which officially began on June 1.
Sonic Goes After the After-School Crowd
While most chains battle it out for the breakfast, lunch and dinner crowd, Sonic Drive-In wants to corner the “happy hour” crowd.
Charity Checkout Champions
When it comes to charitable donations, convenience stores rank high among retailers that participate in point-of-sale campaigns.
Lone Star Food Store Sells First Ever Powerball Jackpot in Texas
The $40 million Powerball jackpot was sold last week at a Lone Star convenience store in Bells, Texas.
Stripes Raises $953,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
The successful April fundraising campaign took place at all Stripes stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
GATE Named a Best Place to Work in Jacksonville
“The caring culture we share here can be felt throughout every facet of our business,” says GATE President John Peyton.
May 31, 2013
Government Issues Finalized Wellness Rules
As part of Obamacare, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its guidelines for employment-based wellness programs.
Iowa Bill Would Prohibit Biofuel Restrictions
The state House and Senate have approved what’s being called the retailer’s “bill of rights.”
Plain Tobacco Packaging Doesn’t Slow Transaction Speed
Not so fast — a new study suggests that retailers are checking out customers as quickly as they did before Australia’s plain tobacco packaging law took effect, but that’s not the whole story.
A Pretzel of a Burger
The buzz surrounding Wendy’s pretzel burger has tapped into a new trend.
New University Retail Store Gives Suppliers Direct Feedback
The card-and-questionnaire approach will provide information from customers directly to the manufacturers.
Food Retailers Slow to Embrace Digital
The industry continues to use old ways of thinking when approaching digital media platforms such as websites and mobile devices.
May 30, 2013
Border Stores Fear Cigarette Revenue Loss
A tax hike in Minnesota will likely send border-area smokers two miles across state lines into North Dakota for cheaper cigarettes.
French Report Urges Indoor Ban on E-Cigarettes
Solicited by the French Health Minister, a detailed report outlines 28 recommendations for e-cigarette use in France.
National Donut Day at Kangaroo Express
The convenience store chain is ready to give away free donuts on June 7 in honor of National Donut Day.
7-Eleven Launches Breakfast Empanada Bites
The hot and savory breakfast item builds on the success of earlier Latin-inspired hot food snacks.
U.S. Home Sale Prices on the Rise
Home prices in March rose 10.2% from a year earlier, the largest annual gain since 2006, when home prices began falling.
Maryland Retailers Protest Gas Tax
Local gas station owners in Frederick put up banners to let their customers know that a gas tax increase will take effect on July 1.
May 29, 2013
Midwest Sees Gasoline Price Hikes
Low inventory, high oil prices and refinery shutdowns contributed to record-breaking pump prices in the heartland.
California Lawmaker Proposes Beverage Tax
The bill would add a 1-cent tax per ounce for every bottled sweetened beverage with more than 25 calories per 12 ounces.
U.S. Restaurant Traffic Holds Steady in Q1
In addition, restaurant spending and average check size increased by 2% during the same time period.
Phillips 66 Emphasizes Branded Marketing
The company has developed a new plan to promote its brands Phillips 66, 76 and Conoco.
Election Could Change Nova Scotia Beer, Wine Sales
Tory candidates are pushing to allow convenience and grocery stores to sell beer and wine.
CEFCO Opens New Travel Center Location
The newest unit has the chain’s first Huddle House within the travel center.
Ireland Moves Ahead With Plain Packaging
Ireland will become the first country in the European Union to enforce plain packaging on cigarettes.
May 28, 2013
NACS Scholarship Application Deadline Fast Approaching
The unique scholarship program helps promising minds advance their career within the convenience and fuel retailing industry.
It’s Tea Time
Growing at a faster rate than coffee, tea is poised to take off.
Depending on Cigarette Taxes
States such as Massachusetts may be too dependent on their smokers to plug budget shortfalls.
OPEC Eyes U.S. Shale Oil Boom
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries could clash over how it responds to the growing challenge from U.S. shale oil.
Turkey Cuts Back Alcohol Sales, Advertising
Parliament passed a bill last week that seeks to ban retail alcohol sales between 10 pm and 6 am and stop all advertising and promotions of alcohol-related products.
Harley Celebrates 110 Years With Miller High Life
Harley Davidson and Miller are both celebrating 110 years, so why not celebrate together?
May 24, 2013
NACS Global Forum Brings Together Global C-Store Leaders
Local store tours and retailing insights from industry experts will highlight this year’s program in Madrid, Spain.
Washington Report: Senate Considers Farm Bill With RFS Amendment
The Farm Bill includes an amendment to repeal the Renewable Fuels Standard and a provision to limit SNAP.
Retailers Sue Visa, MasterCard
J.C. Penney, Macy’s and Target filed the lawsuit this week in federal court.
Overall Memorial Day Travel Down
AAA predicts fewer people will be leaving home this weekend, but gas prices are not the reason.
A Picture for Posterity
In Vancouver, British Columbia, a photographer is cataloging small c-stores while he still can.
Many Americans Continue Unhealthy Habits
A new report by the CDC finds that inactivity, smoking, heavy drinking and obesity still have high rates among Americans.
PepsiCo Tweaks Soda Prices
The company wants to change to a “hybrid everyday value” instead of sale pricing.
May 23, 2013
New York Police Chief Argues for Tobacco Law Enforcement
A New York Post op-ed piece cites a need for better enforcement of the city’s tobacco laws by addressing cigarette smuggling.
Wisconsin Bill Taxes Smokers
State workers who smoke would have to pay $50 more per month for health insurance under a bill that is gaining traction in the Wisconsin Legislature.
Anheuser-Busch Donates 51,000 Cans of Water to Oklahoma
The company has also donated $25,000 to the Red Cross to assist with the tornado relief efforts.
Dairy Queen Focuses on Burgers and Fries
Known for its frozen treats, the company is looking to boost its market share by increasing customer trip frequency with more menu items.
Retailers Slow to Adopt Mobile POS
The majority of retailers are taking a methodical approach to the use of mobile for POS, according to a new study by IHL Group.
Technomic Reveals Initial 2014 Foodservice Industry Forecast
Moderate foodservice growth is anticipated for 2014, with growth at independent restaurants outpacing growth at chains.
May 22, 2013
Hillary Rodham Clinton To Speak at NACS Show Closing Session
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Secretary of State and former U.S. Senator from New York, has been named as a speaker at the NACS Show, which takes place October 12 to 15 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Finding Common Ground
What convenience stores can teach restaurants, and vice versa.
Florida Governor Considers Ethanol Mandate Repeal
A bill that passed the Florida House and Senate would end a requirement for all gasoline sold in the state to contain 9% to 10% ethanol.
U.K. Shoppers Forecast to Spend £11 Billion at C-Stores
The convenience store market in the United Kingdom will jump by close to a third within five years.
Restaurant Sales Hit Record Numbers
Americans are less frugal than before, and that has trickled down to restaurants.
OpenStore Partners With Phillips 66
OpenStore is launching new websites and mobile apps for the Phillips 66, Conoco and 76 brands.
May 21, 2013
Americans Optimistic and Ready to Travel
Consumers will likely enjoy their summer vacation more because they are feeling better about the economy, according to the recent NACS Consumer Fuels Survey.
The Future of PCI
The head of PCI SSC in Europe acknowledges that retail breaches have exposed PCI security weaknesses throughout the world.
Are Natural Gas Cars Next?
Trade group previews several retrofitted cars to run on compressed natural gas, hoping to stimulate industry interest.
Consumer Optimism Highest in Nearly Six Years
Consumer sentiment reaches its highest level since July 2007, just before the economy began its decline.
More Changes Coming for McDonald’s
Caesar Salad, McSkillet Burrito, Southern Style Biscuit could end up following the same path as the Angus Burger.
Kids Eat for Free All Summer Long
Children 10 and under can eat for free at TravelCenters of America and Petro Stopping Centers with the purchase of an adult meal.