In a study comparing McDonald’s, Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts customers, McDonald’s coffee customers are the least likely to stray. McDonald’s coffee customers are the most loyal compared to those who frequent Starbucks Corp. and Dunkin’ Donuts, a study by market research firm CustomersDNA LLC found. The currently unpublished study involved 15,000 fast-food customers who answered [...]
Full-strength beer proposal reaches Legislature floor for the first time, but is voted down. Colorado lawmakers have rejected a proposal that would have given convenience stores, gas stations and grocery chains the right to sell full-strength beer. The decisions ended a debate that occurs just about every year at the state Capitol, Bloomberg Businessweek reported. [...]
“Functional and truly unique products like Modjo forLIFE and Modjo Hydrade are the type of products that intrigue and address the health concerns of our customers,” says category manager, Circle K Gulf Coast Business Unit. Circle K Gulf Coast Business Unit plans to carry Modjo forLIFE anti-aging and rejuvenation beverage and new Modjo Hydrade the [...]
“This year, Scotsman celebrates the 30th anniversary of the invention of nugget ice, and the Luv the Nug campaign is the perfect way to commemorate this iconic ice form,” says Scotsman spokesperson. Ice-chewing fanatics love nugget ice, The Original Chewable Ice invented by Scotsman Ice Systems, and the company is celebrating with a new “Luv [...]
“Sustainability is core to our business, so we want to demonstrate this commitment to our customers, and consumers at every level,” says Coca-Cola spokesperson. As the Coca-Cola Co. continues to advance its efforts in sustainability, it is developing a family of 100% recyclable merchandise display racks for use in grocery and convenience stores in the [...]
Hot dispensed beverages, most notably coffee, remain a lynchpin of the convenience store foodservice business and a key to its continued growth. Growing sales will be a crucial task in the months and years ahead. Chicago-based research firm Mintel International reported that c-stores and other retail coffee marketers must begin to actively recruit younger drinkers [...]
Following a solid 2009, the Brewers Association, the trade association representing the majority of U.S. brewing companies, reported strong 2010 numbers for small and independent craft brewers. Dollar sales were up 12% in the first half of 2010, compared to 9% growth during the same period in 2009. Volume of craft brewed beer sold grew [...]
Watch out, soft drinks. Teas and juices are looking to capture health-conscious consumers in 2011 with flavor innovation and antioxidant power. The refrigerated juices and drinks category in the c-store sector saw total dollar sales of $423,746,400, according to SymphonyIRI data for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 26, 2010, up 5.73% compared to the previous [...]
Carbonated soft drink sales dipped in 2010, but are expected to show positive growth in 2011. “Because the economy is better and products like Coke Zero have done well with customers, we are predicting 2.3% growth in 2011 for carbonated beverages,” said Garima Goel Lal, senior consumer analyst for Mintel International. Overall sales of carbonated [...]
Dispensed cold and frozen beverages enjoyed another solid year of growth in 2010, and 2011 is shaping up to be another strong year, according to the NPD Group in Port Washington, N.Y. “Our latest research is telling us 3% of consumers going into a convenience store are purchasing a frozen beverage or slushy drink,” said [...]
UNC beats NC State and Duke to benefit student-led UNC Build a Block program in Battle for Bean Street contest. Cary, N.C.-based The Pantry Inc., an independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., officially announced the University of North Carolina as its Battle for Bean Street Champion, scoring the $20,000 grand prize donation [...]
Bottled water sales nationwide continue to rise. Sales in convenience stores reached nearly $2.9 billion for the 52-week period ended Dec. 26, 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group, a growth of 2.19%. Of that, more than $2.6 billion came from convenience/PET still waters. Leading brands include Glacéau, Aquafina, Dasani, Nestlé Pure Life, Poland Spring, SoBe and [...]
Maybe it’s the unusually trying times we live in that have Americans reaching so often for beverages that bolster their energy levels. Regardless, it’s convenience store owners that are reaping the rewards. Sales of energy drinks in c-stores topped $5.6 billion, up 14.29%, for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 26, 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group [...]
Although some c-store operators admit to being worried about regulators turning their focus to energy shots, many have voiced the opinion that the category has at least another year of strong growth ahead of it. According to numbers from SymphonyIRI Group for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 26, 2010, energy shots saw a whopping 35.58% [...]
In-store sweepstakes promotion to be held in 620 Mac’s Convenience Stores in Ontario, Canada. Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc., a division of Alimentation Couche-Tard, and XYIENCE, maker of Xenergy, the official energy drink of the UFC, and have joined forces to launch a joint promotion, UFC 129 VIP Experience Sweepstakes. The consumer contest kicks off March [...]