News Archives
Oct 22, 2021
USPS Bans the Shipment of Vaping Products
The rule creates parity between vape products and traditional cigarettes.
FDA Considering Food Delivery Industry Regulations
The $26 billion industry has soared in popularity since the start of the pandemic.
EPA Urges UST Owners to Get Insured
There are many companies that will still insure a 30+ year-old tank.
A Wisconsin Couple Took Their Wedding Photos at a C-Store
Kwik Trip made the perfect backdrop for this couple’s new chapter.
Unmanned C-Store to Open in Japanese Post Office
FamilyMart is opening cashierless markets in unconventional places to stand out in a saturated c-store market.
ENERGY STAR Day Is Next Week
Here’s how you can do your part to save energy and encourage others to do the same.
Oct 21, 2021
Instacart Acquires Smart Cart Startup
The delivery service that partners with c-stores and grocers aims to expand omnichannel shopping.
Onions Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
Health officials identify cases of Salmonella Oranienburg in 37 states.
Here’s What Inspires Users to Buy Products on Social Media
TikTok found that 78% of consumers surveyed have discovered new products while viewing content creator videos.
Senate Committee Confirms FMCSA Administrator
Current deputy administrator Meera Joshi battles supply chain snarls impacting the trucking industry.
Tesco Launches Checkout-Free C-Store
The London shop uses sensors and a weighted system to let customers walk out with their items.
CEFCO Hosts Annual Golf Tournament
The c-store retailer raised over $280,000 for The Fikes Foundation.
Oct 20, 2021
NACS, EMA, NATSO, SIGMA Raise Concerns About Vaccine Mandate
The associations support efforts to boost inoculations but highlight ongoing labor challenges.
States Could Push Off Biden’s Vaccine Mandate for Years
26 states write their own workplace safety and health rules, and it could take OSHA a long time to force states to update their rules.
New Research Explores How Retailers Use Technology
Reports address how c-stores use technology to solve business challenges and why it’s important to benchmark your tech adoption versus other retailers.
Leading Makers of Age-Restricted Products Line Up to Support TruAge™
Altria Group Distribution Company and Juul Labs sign on during the recent NACS Show.
Busy Days on Capitol Hill
In a rapid-fire Q&A, NACS fills retailers in on what they need to know about the latest legislative happenings.
U.S. Lawmakers Look to Boost Immigrant Visas
Citizen and Immigration Services would get more funding, and unused visas wouldn’t expire under a Senate appropriations proposal.
Oct 19, 2021
EG Group, Asda Call Off $1 Billion Forecourts Deal
The companies will still proceed with their Asda On the Move collaboration.
How Convenience Customers View Sustainability
The NACS/Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council reveals how ESG practices influence customer loyalties.
Wendy’s Ups Its Drive-Thru Game With Voice Recognition
AI will take customer orders, notify staff of long lines and more via Google Cloud partnership.
24-Hour Unmanned C-Store Opens in Toronto
Aisle 24 plans more locations as it expands across Canada by 2023.
Parker’s Golf Tournament Raises Record $138,890
Local schools, health-care groups and other nonprofits in coastal Georgia and South Carolina will benefit from the funds.
Nouria Energy Opens Its First Own-Brand Gas Station and C-Store
The Wareham, Massachusetts, location signals the company’s push to be a top-tier fuel supplier.
Oct 18, 2021
Supply Chain Strains to Extend Into Mid-2022, Economists Say
Inflation predicted at 5.25% in December, a Wall Street Journal survey found.
Decarbonization Push Chips Away at Fuel Consumption
Fuels Market News and the Fuels Institute explored what’s behind disappearing gallons at the NACS Show.
We Card Spotlights Training, Education for Clerks
The nonprofit shares four key tips for retailers to prevent underage sales of tobacco and vape products.
Walgreens Rethinks Tobacco Sales
Amid a new primary care push, CEO says the drugstore chain is evaluating cigarette sales.
How C-Stores Can Adapt to Evolving Shopping Behaviors
Join Parker’s Kitchen CEO and Parkland USA’s president for a webinar October 27.
Asda, EG Group Open Upscale U.K. C-Store Collaboration
The “Extra Special” format in Buckinghamshire sells the grocer’s premium line of products.
Oct 15, 2021
NACS Presses FDA to Release Names of Denied ENDS Products
The association asks the agency to provide transparency for retailers in their PMTA decisions.
Moviemaker Kevin Smith’s Take on Convenience Stores
In a video, the “Clerks” creator shares fond memories of his time in the c-store industry with NACS Show attendees.
Protecting Revenue After the EMV Deadline
Rented outdoor payment terminals are an affordable option for retailers that have yet to upgrade to EMV.
Georgia C-Stores Hit by Scammers
Swindlers have tricked the shops out of $40,000 in losses so far.
Don’t Sleep on Shipt
The grocery delivery service has found a way to not only attract customers but workers as well.
Consumers’ Love for Chocolate Holds Strong
The NCA released a new report about perceptions, attitudes and behaviors surrounding the sweet treat.
Oct 14, 2021
NACS Show Highlighted Convenience Retail Industry’s Resilience
The expo featured a record number of new exhibitors; big industry initiatives took center stage in education and general sessions.
Circle K Customers Can Skip Checkout
The convenience retailer installs a checkout-free system in an existing Arizona store.
Culture and the Customer
Sheetz and Love’s share how a company culture that engages employees increases customer loyalty.
FDA Calls on Food Industry to Trim Sodium
Final guidance aims to lower Americans’ risk of heart disease.
GetGo Brings Thanksgiving to Customers
The c-store has added more dinner offerings to its foodservice lineup.
Police Warn of Car Thieves at Gas Stations
In St. Louis, 17 vehicles have been stolen this year from forecourts.
Oct 13, 2021
FDA Approves First ENDS Product for Marketing
R.J. Reynold’s Vuse and tobacco-favored pods OK’d for marketing, but 10 other flavored products were denied.
More C-Stores Adopt Self-Checkout
At least 61 Wawa locations have the technology, which continues to be a hot topic for retailers.
DoorDash Sells Ads Above Search Results
Restaurants only pay for the ad if someone clicks and orders.
Jacksons Food Stores Buys 62 Speedway and 7-Eleven C-Stores
The acquisition expands ExtraMile, Jacksons brands in Western states.
EVs or Bust
No matter what you see in your market, EVs are coming.
7-Eleven to Open Stores in Israel in 2022
The entry into a new market marks the 19th country for the c-store giant.
Oct 12, 2021
Holiday 2021 Travel Season Looks Merry and Bright
Consumer spending on travel this year is expected to be higher than pre-pandemic 2019.
The NACS Show Highlighted Resilience
Across four days in Chicago, the convenience and fuel retailing industry showed We Got This!
U.S. Retail Giants Charter Private Vessels to Skirt Port Delays
Big box stores choose to hire private ships to get products to consumers at a higher cost for all.
136 Nations Agree on Minimum Corporate Tax
The amount of country buy-in represents 90% of the global GDP.
Ampol Acquires Z Energy in $1.38 Billion Deal
The Australian company will acquire 100% of Z Energy’s shares.
Drive-Thru Grocery Opens in South Carolina
The 24-hour, 3,000 square-foot grocer brings products to customers in their cars.
Oct 11, 2021
Here Are the Top 10 Cool New Products at the 2021 NACS Show
New this year: The NACS Show app allowed frictionless interaction with products.
Major Firms Mandate Vaccines Ahead of OSHA Rule
The federal guidance could take several more weeks to be released.
The Future of Convenience Rests on 3 Challenges
Here are the key areas that will change convenience, and they are coming sooner than you think.
These Are the 27 Fastest Growing QSR Brands in the U.S.
See which quick-service restaurants made the list.
NYC Grocer Tests Smart Carts
The Cust2Mate is outfitted with a touchscreen, weight system and camera to help scan items.
First 7-Eleven Opens in India
Reliance Industries opens the Mumbai store after agreement with Future Group falters.
Oct 8, 2021
New NACS Chairman Says Advocacy Matters
Jared Scheeler shares why advocating for the convenience and fuel retailing industry is nonnegotiable.
Tech and Transformation Are Key to C-Store Survival
These two things should be top of mind for every retailer.
Brands Raise Prices as Supply Chain Falters
Materials shortage, labor and trucking affect companies while consumers increase spending.
Amazon Opens First Amazon 4-Star Location Outside of U.S.
It’s also the first non-food Amazon store in the United Kingdom.
GM Says It Will Double Annual Revenue by 2030
The automaker also says some vehicles will become autonomous starting in 2023.
Kroger Seeks to Hire 20,000 Seasonal Workers
The grocer offers competitive pay, benefits.
Oct 7, 2021
TruAge Adds Altria Group Distribution Company as Sponsor
AGDC joins the two largest U.S. beer companies in support of the NACS digital age-verification system.
NYC Will Not Enforce Data-Sharing Law on Food Delivery Apps
DoorDash sued the city over the law claiming user privacy rights.
Out in Public
These EV charging improvements are key to consumer adoption of electric vehicles.
Casey’s Now Accepting Grant Program Submissions
The annual program benefits schools in the Iowa retailer’s communities.
Home Depot Taps Walmart to Deliver Its Products
The home improvement store is the first retail company to use Walmart GoLocal.
Burger King Tests Meatless Chicken Nuggets
Customers in select markets will be able to try Impossible Chicken nuggets.
Oct 6, 2021
Scheeler Leads NACS Board of Directors, Executive Committee
New retailer and supplier representative changes announced during the NACS Board of Directors meeting.
It’s All About the Journey
The NACS IDEA Conference brought honest discussion around inclusion, diversity, equity and awareness.
Salmonella Outbreak Spreads
The CDC hasn’t pinpointed the source of the contamination.
Finding a Good Partner
Utilizing a technology service is more than a dollar and time investment—it’s a partnership with mutual trust.
Target Bumps Employee Pay by $2 for the Holidays
Employees will receive an extra $2 an hour when they work peak days in November and December.
Standard AI Launches Autonomous Retail Initiative
The tech firm will select 10 c-store operators to attend a program on autonomous retailing; one retailer to receive free autonomous buildout.
Oct 5, 2021
NACS TruAge™ Gives Demonstrations at the NACS Show
Event attendees experience live on-site demos of the new NACS digital ID-verification solution.
Purchase Limits Begin Amid Supply Chain Issues
Costco limits purchases on certain goods in anticipation of COVID-19 flare-ups, increased supply chain backups.
FastLane C-Store Owner Acquires 18 Abel’s Quick Shops
The deal allows Warrenton Oil Company to expand its farm and commercial fuel business.
Anheuser-Busch Is Bullish on Spiked Seltzers
The beer giant has a new strategy to up its seltzer game.
Loyalty Programs Boost Visits, Spend
The most effective platforms embrace personalization, Paytronix report finds.
KickBack Rewards Systems Buys CMI Solutions, Rebrands
The tech company now offers c-store management, price book, wholesale fuel management and business intelligence solutions.
Oct 4, 2021
U.S. Convenience Store Sales in 2021 Could Top Pre-Pandemic Levels
NACS retailer members are optimistic about sales at year-end, but concerns persist around labor and product shortages.
NACS Show Opens Tomorrow
There’s still time to register to join your industry peers in Chicago.
5 Midwest States Partner to Create EV Charging Network
Governors devised a plan to advance EV adoption, improve public health and create jobs.
Sign Up for ADAM Program Alerts and Help Bring Missing Children Home
ADAM Program has helped recover 925 missing kids this year.
Dollar Store Business Model Shaken
Labor shortages, competitive pay and supply chain snarls are disrupting dollar stores.
U.K. Deploys Military Aid to Deliver Fuel
Britain also extends visas for 100,000 foreign truck drivers.
Oct 1, 2021
Vaccine Mandate May Worsen Trucker Shortage
Oil-field service companies navigate realities of employee turnover and COVID-19.
Vote on Infrastructure Bill Stalls in the House
Speaker Pelosi will try again today to pass the roughly $1 trillion legislation.
NACS Files Comments With FTC on Visa, Mastercard Anticompetitive Practices
The agency should rethink contractual terms that harm market competition.
Help Benchmark Compensation Data
The NACS Compensation Survey for 2021 is now open to convenience retailers.
The Power of Women Leaders
The NACS Women’s Leadership Program at Yale empowers women to be respected and effective leaders.
Cool New Products Webinar Is Now on-Demand
In 20 minutes, preview the Coolest New Products being showcased at the 2021 NACS Show next week.
Sep 30, 2021
Don’t Miss the Biggest-Ever New Exhibitor Lineup at the NACS Show
Get ahead of the game with exclusive previews and industry debuts.
Fuels Institute, HBW Resources Launch ESG Integrity Platform
The online program helps businesses simplify credible ESG reporting.
Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Consumer Privacy
This was the first in a series of hearings on consumer data privacy and security.
Instacart Adds Giant, Martin’s to Convenience Hub Delivery Service
Mid-Atlantic customers can access 20,000 products in 30 minutes or less.
EG America Honored for Veterans Support
To date, the convenience retailer has raised over $1.6 million to support the DAV foundation.
Buc-ee’s Shovels Dirt in Its Biggest Project Yet
Planned for 74,000 square feet, the world’s largest convenience store is under construction in Tennessee.
Sep 29, 2021
C-Stores Celebrate National Coffee Day
Retailers across the U.S. are enticing customers with specials on the beloved beverage.
Ford to Build EV Assembly Line and 3 Battery Factories
The automaker will invest $11 billion in the EV project.
5 Areas of Opportunity for C-Stores Post-Pandemic
Design firms release white paper on key topics that loom large for the industry.
Help Fight Food Loss and Waste
Today is the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.
Time After Time
Hear what technologies convenience retailers are implementing now to save customers’ time.
Gleeson Named President of Irish Business Association
Former NACS chairman is tapped to lead IBEC.
Sep 28, 2021
Casey’s to Acquire 40 Pilot Stores for $220 Million
The Iowa-based chain will expand its reach in Tennessee and Kentucky.
California Says Self-Driving Vehicles Must Be Zero Emission
Looking to the future, the state will require autonomous vehicles to be all-electric by 2030.
U.K. Fuel Delivery Disruptions Lead to Panic Buying
Brits queue for hours for fuel while the government puts military on standby to ease the crunch.
Last Chance to Expedite Your Cat Man Certification
Earn your advanced category management certification in one workshop at the NACS Show.
Albertsons Partners With Pinterest
Site users can save recipes and add the needed ingredients to their grocery app shopping cart.
Hy-Vee Employs Robots to Roam Store Aisles
The Midwest grocer will use Tally to monitor its shelves for inventory and product placement.
Sep 27, 2021
NACS TruAge™ Digital ID-Verification Solution Adds New Pilot Tests, Sponsor
Anheuser-Busch signs on as a TruAge™ sponsor; additional pilot tests planned across the country.
How One Big Box Retailer Is Solving the Holiday Labor Crunch
Target will offer flexible scheduling, more hours to current employees and hire fewer seasonal workers.
See Cool New Products in Tuesday Webinar
Before you arrive at the NACS Show, see what latest products will be unveiled.
NYC Passes Legislation to Improve Conditions for Gig Workers
The series of bills sets minimum pay and gives employees bathroom access.
Evolving the Fueling Experience
Optimize assets on the forecourt and win customer trust through a frictionless forecourt experience.
Vroom Partners With Skipcart to Automate Delivery Services
C-stores can now send delivery orders to the most cost- and time-effective third-party provider.