Beverages & Cold Vault : Convenience Store Decisions
Beverages & Cold Vault
From beer and adult to energy drinks, juices, iced tea, bottled water, enhanced water and soda, convenience stores offer a dazzling array of cold beverages aimed at serving today’s on-the-go convenience store customers. More importantly, the packaged beverage category is an industry catalyst spurring sales of salty snacks, baked goods and foodservice items making it one of the most important convenience store industry categories. This section tracks beverage category trends in U.S. convenience stores to ensure retailers are armed with the latest information available to help them market and merchandise the cold vault.
Craft Sales Drive Beer
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 [...]
Sales Increases in Store for Juices and Teas
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 [...]
Positive Outlook for Carbonated Beverages
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 Beverages Thrive on Innovation and Marketing
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 Wins $20K Donation from Kangaroo Express
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 [...]
Enhancing the Possibilities of Bottled Water
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 [...]
Energizing Cooler Sales
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 [...]
Energy Shot Sales Surge
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% [...]
Mac’s Launches UFC 129 VIP Experience
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 [...]
Starbucks Partners With Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Starbucks to be the exclusive licensed super-premium coffee brand produced by GMCR for the Keurig Single-Cup Brewing System. Starbucks Corp. and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., which provides specialty coffee and single-serve brewing systems, have embarked on a strategic relationship for the manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of Starbucks and Tazo tea branded K-Cup portion [...]
Strong Outlook for Frozen Beverages
Fueled by new flavors and supported by high-quality equipment, the frozen category shows unlimited potential. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. It’s no secret that frozen beverages has been one of the hotter categories in the convenience store industry over the past three years. The good news is that NACS is predicting a sunny forecast for [...]
Coffee Brewing Made Easy
Now c-store operations can serve the same amount of freshly-brewed coffee in just half the traditional space. The new Gemini from Wilbur Curtis features an updated, narrow satellite server that doubles serving capacity and saves valuable counter space. Double-wall construction in each slim satellite maintains coffee temperature and preserves its rich, bold flavor for extended [...]
Beer Industry Contributes $223.8 Billion to U.S. Economy
“Our industry continues to play an integral role in providing jobs and revenue necessary to heal our recovering economy,” says Beer Institute president. A new Economic Impact study conducted by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) shows America’s beer industry—made up of brewers, beer importers, beer distributors, brewer suppliers and retailers—directly [...]
Brewing a Coffee Strategy
Competition is percolating for gourmet sales, forcing c-store owners to elevate their offerings. By John Lofstock, Associate Editor. When people get more, they expect more—and that, as much as anything, helps to explain the challenge facing convenience store operators who emphasize coffee. Coffee quality at the retail level has improved to a point where what [...]
Starbucks Turns 40
New Starbucks Petites, a line of eight sweets is rolling out at stores now. Starbucks is celebrating its 40th birthday this month, having opened its first store in Seattle on March 30, 1971. The world’s largest coffee chain with 17,000 locations in 55 countries drew in close to $11 billion last year, just posted its [...]
Beverages & Cold Vault
From beer and adult to energy drinks, juices, iced tea, bottled water, enhanced water and soda, convenience stores offer a dazzling array of cold beverages aimed at serving today’s on-the-go convenience store customers. More importantly, the packaged beverage category is an industry catalyst spurring sales of salty snacks, baked goods and foodservice items making it one of the most important convenience store industry categories. This section tracks beverage category trends in U.S. convenience stores to ensure retailers are armed with the latest information available to help them market and merchandise the cold vault.
Retail Outlook: Cautiously Optimistic
Balvor survey highlights the foodservice concerns, focus and sentiments held by convenience store operators heading into 2011. By David Bishop, Contributing Editor. Cautious because a number of external factors, ranging from continued high unemployment, constrained consumer spending, and weak construction and housing markets are creating especially stiff headwinds for their core shopper base. Optimistic as [...]
ShopRite Adds RelaxZen
As the popularity of relaxation beverages soars, grocery stores like ShopRite, increasingly are adding them to store shelves. ShopRite, which operates 190 grocery stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware, has added RelaxZen DAY and RelaxZen NIGHT products from RelaxZen Inc. to its product line. RelaxZen’s 2.5-ounce tapered bottles being added to [...]
Circle K Elevates Xenergy To A National Brand
Now at least three different varieties of XYIENCE’s Xenergy are planned for each region where Circle K operates, catering to local taste preferences. Circle K has sealed an agreement with XYIENCE, elevating its energy drink brand Xenergy to national status and giving it potential access to all 4,200 locations of the convenience store chain. The [...]
Energy Powers Beverage Sales
The convenience of shots and the widespread availability in c-stores have spurred the category’s success. By: Joe Bush, Contributing Editor. Energy shots remain the hottest product in the energy beverage sector. The emergence of the shot market was so fast that the products seemingly came out of nowhere, at a time when the typically strong [...]
Kansas C-Stores Inch Closer To Winning The Right To Sell Alcohol
“The passage of SB 54 would set the stage for Kansas to benefit from a free market economy,” says one retailer. Members of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee in Kansas voted 8 to 1 in support of Senate Bill No. 54, which would update laws regarding the sale of beer, wine and spirits. [...]
Crafting a Beer Strategy
Microbrew sales are growing at a strong clip, while wine and spirits are also poised for a strong 2011. by: Joe Bush, Contributing Editor The near-term future of wine and craft beer sales in convenience stores involves value, flavor and products geared toward specific ethnic groups. The Brewer Association reports that while overall beer sales [...]
Dunkin’ Donuts Seeks Franchisees
“(We’re) looking for qualified candidates with foodservice, operations and real estate experience to join our team,” says Dunkin’ Donuts spokesperson. Dunkin’ Donuts aims to increase its franchise locations in the U.S., and this week announced it is looking for franchisees in Green Bay, Wis., and the surrounding areas of La Crosse and Eau Claire. Dunkin’ [...]
7-Eleven Adds BAZI Natural Energy Shots
BAZI Natural Energy Shots, which offer both nutrition through superfruit extracts and an energy boost, debut on c-store shelves. 7-Eleven, starting this March, is adding BAZI Natural Energy Shots to its energy shot lineup. “7-Eleven is our first retailer in the convenience store channel,” said Debbie Wildrick, BAZI’s sales and marketing executive vice president. “Because [...]
Scotsman Introduces “Luv the Nug”
Campaign connects customers via their love of nugget ice, and helps them locate places that offer Scotsman nugget ice. Ice-chewing fanatics love nugget ice, The Original Chewable Ice invented by Scotsman Ice Systems, and the company is celebrating with a new “Luv the Nug” campaign, a digital community that unites passionate ice chewers everywhere. Found [...]
Sunoco and Sheetz Introduce Xenergy
Starting in March, energy drink Xenergy is set to appear in 818 corporate and 642 independently-owned Sunoco stores and 320 Sheetz locations. C-store chains Sheetz Inc. and Sunoco Inc. both have opted to add XYIENCE’s Xenergy, the official energy drink of the UFC, to their stores, expanding the brand’s presence on the East Coast. Between [...]
Thorntons Holds Job Fair
Thorntons is expanding its coffee program and is now filling new positions created by its coffee initiative. Thorntons is launching a new coffee program, company-wide, starting in the Louisville/Southern Indiana Market, and plans to add up to 160 new jobs over the next year to support its new coffee program. Thorntons will be accepting applications [...]
Dunkin’ Donuts Seeks Franchisees in Chicago
Dunkin’ Donuts expands, offering single and multi-unit opportunities with no minimum unit requirements. Dunkin’ Donuts is expanding in Chicago and seeking new franchise agreements in the city. Most recently, Dunkin’ Donuts signed a multi-unit store development agreement with Sam Patel for two restaurants in Chicago. The first restaurant opened in December 2010 at the University [...]
NOCO Express Benefits From Xenergy Promotion
The New York retailer reports more than a 50% increase in Xenergy sales during 2010 promotion. NOCO Express, a convenience store chain with 34 locations in New York, and XYIENCE ended 2010 on a successful note: a 58% increase in sales for Xenergy, XYIENCE’s sugar and calorie-free energy drink brand. The sales spike resulted from [...]
Kansas Retail Groups Form Coalition
Coalition says common sense reform on the sale of beer, wine and spirits would bring jobs and revenue to Kansas – without raising taxes. A group of Kansas retail businesses and industry organizations have formed the Coalition for Jobs and Consumer Choice (CJCC), a group committed to updating laws on the sale of beer, wine [...]
Starbucks Debuts Mobile Payments
The Starbucks Card Mobile App now offers customers with BlackBerry smartphones, iPhone and iPod touch the fastest way to pay at nearly 6,800 U.S. company-operated Starbucks stores. Starbucks has announced the launch of mobile payments in all of its U.S. company-operated stores, allowing customers to pay for in-store purchases with select smartphones. Building on the [...]
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