Loves To Acquire 30 Flying J / Pilot Locations

Loves To Acquire 30 Flying J / Pilot Locations

Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J are planning to divest about 30 locations (10-15 of which are Pilot locations) to Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, for an estimated $3 million to $5 million per location, The Trucker reported. The move is an attempt by Pilot and Flying J to alleviate concerns the Federal Trade [...]

Wawa Kicks Off Go 4th and Learn

Wawa Kicks Off Go 4th and Learn

Wawa Welcome America’s Go 4th and Learn series kicked off this week with an interactive event showcasing Philadelphia and Wawa history on June 28. Go 4th and Learn is a three-part educational series for children and their families held in the week leading up to July 4 as part of the Wawa Welcome America Festivities. [...]

PACT Act On Hold

PACT Act On Hold

Federal District Judge Richard Arcara temporarily ordered that the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (PACT Act), a new law that disallows cigarettes to be shipped via the mail-which was set to go into effect yesterday-to be placed on hold, the Associated Press reported. A Seneca Indian Nation tobacco business owner asked for the restraining order [...]

Indiana Retailers Seek Sunday Beer Sales

Indiana Retailers Seek Sunday Beer Sales

The Alliance of Responsible Alcohol Retailers has started a new campaign called, “Change It Indiana” that seeks to build public support to allow Sunday carryout alcohol sales in Indiana, the Chicago Tribune reported. The group, which includes Kroger, Marsh, Meijer, CVS and Circle K stores, argues that 47 states allow Sunday carryout sales and that [...]

MAPCO Adds Blockbuster Express DVD Kiosks

MAPCO Adds Blockbuster Express DVD Kiosks

MAPCO Express Convenience Stores in Tennessee and the Mid-South are adding 24-hour Blockbuster Express-branded DVD kiosks. NCR Corp. has already deployed a number of the kiosks in Tennessee-area MAPCO Express locations as part of a pilot program. “MAPCO Express is committed to providing affordable quality and personalized convenience to time-starved consumers in neighborhood markets throughout [...]

Phoenix 7-Eleven Adds Transit Cards

Phoenix 7-Eleven Adds Transit Cards

C-stores in the Phoenix, Ariz., metropolitan area are about to get even more convenient now that the 60 local 7-Eleven stores are selling all day and reduced all day passes for the Valley Metro-the transit system for the greater Phoenix area, ABC15 News reported. “Our goal is to make it as easy and convenient as [...]

PACT Act Confusion

PACT Act Confusion

The federal Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (PACT Act) goes into effect today, June 29, 2010. PACT Act is set to regulate the sale of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco sold over the Internet or by mail order to consumers. But, one provision of the PACT Act has caused some confusion, according to the [...]

Investor Urges Casey’s To Negotiate Bid

Investor Urges Casey’s To Negotiate Bid

ClearBridge Advisors, A New York investments firm with a large stake in Casey’s General Stores is encouraging the Ankeny, Iowa-based convenience store chain to hold talks with Couche-Tard. In a letter written Monday, ClearBridge Advisors said Casey’s owes it to shareholders to determine whether Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. would raise its $36-per-share offer. “We agree that [...]

Financial Reform Faces Crucial Vote

Financial Reform Faces Crucial Vote

As the House and Senate prepare to vote on the financial reform bill—containing the Durbin amendment on interchange fees—this week, NACS’ message to retailers is that the battle is far from won. Three hurdles remain: passing the House, passing the Senate and getting signed into law by President Obama. “Until all three happen, actually, until [...]

Alcoholic Beverage Customers Cautious

Alcoholic Beverage Customers Cautious

U.S. consumers remain somewhat cautious about their alcohol beverage spending, the Nielsen Company reported this month. Nielsen’s research revealed that a significant percentage of consumers claim they are going out less often now than before the economic downturn. Nearly half of consumers (47%) report going to bars or clubs less often, while an even greater [...]

APPCO’s Ex-Owner Wins Court Battle

APPCO’s Ex-Owner Wins Court Battle

APPCO’s former owner won the right to keep the 12 convenience store buildings he repossessed early this month, according to a ruling by Federal Bankruptcy Judge Marcia Parsons, the Johnson City Press reported. After the decision, a representative for Jim MacLean said MacLean’s property companies plans to gain possession of the other 16 stores he [...]

Boycotted Stations Want BP Help

Boycotted Stations Want BP Help

As many Americans avoid BP stations in protest over the Gulf oil spill, BP-branded station owners are insisting BP do more to help them convince customers that such boycotts hurt independently owned businesses, not the British oil giant, the Associated Press reported. To win back customers, stations want BP to help in reducing the price [...]

Swipe Fee Reform Faces Crucial Vote

Swipe Fee Reform Faces Crucial Vote

The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) is urging retailers to contact legislators one more time as the financial reform bill, which contains the swipe fee amendment, goes to a vote. Last week, House and Senate financial services reform negotiators agreed to finalize the financial bill with the swipe fee reforms included. Now, both the [...]

Crude Oil Stays Steady

Crude Oil Stays Steady

Crude oil prices remained steady above $76 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange on Friday, June 25, according to United Press International. July delivery crude oil prices added 27 cents to $76.78 per barrel, while heating oil prices for July delivery added 0.0076 cents to $2.0648 per gallon. Reformulated gasoline blendstock prices added [...]

The Pantry Expands Fresh Initiative

The Pantry Expands Fresh Initiative

Cary, N.C.-based The Pantry Inc. this week unveiled its “Fresh Initiative” to serve customers new coffee, and fresh food options. Triangle-area residents will be the first to experience the new Bean Street Coffee and a broader assortment of pastries, warm breakfast sandwiches and fresh fruit. In addition, the stores will offer a variety of fresh [...]