CSN June 2024- CA only

WHAT’S NEXT IN CONVENIENCE AND FUEL RETAILING

THE TOP 100 C-STORE CHAINS

A TRYING YEAR

INFLATION, HIGHER OPERATING COSTS AND LOWER FUEL PRICES TOOK THEIR TOLL IN 2023

• Establishes a digital foundation to optimize the ATC 21+ journey

• Enables an integrated marketing approach focused on the ATC 21+

• Provides a clear road map for development, integration, and implementation supported by AGDC

Help responsibly connect and engage with your ATC 21+ in the digital environment

Invest in digital infrastructure that responsibly optimizes and enables new channels for ATC 21+ experiences

Meet the evolving ATCs 21+ expectations to improve consumer experiences by enhancing retail digital capabilities and building a foundation of responsibility

Protect your business, prevent underage access to tobacco products, and help ensure that retail remains the most trusted place to buy tobacco products with Age Validation Technology (AVT).

AVT reduces the likelihood of selling tobacco products to underage individuals. It’s simpler for associates to execute rather than manually entering in date of birth.

EXECUTE

The AVT system saves on transaction times.

AVT protects the future/viability of innovative products and harm reduction.

Maximize the Summer Season

It would be wise to focus on value this year as inflation is sticking around

THE SUMMER SEASON is upon us, and there’s some good news for the convenience store industry: easing gas prices are expected to prompt more drivers to hit the road this summer.

According to GasBuddy’s “2024 Summer Travel Survey,” more than three-quarters of Americans (76%) plan to take a road trip between Memorial Day and Labor Day — a significant increase from 18% last year. The average traveler actually has two road trips planned, with nearly half (49%) expecting to drive five or more hours to reach their destination.

More road trips mean more stops at c-stores and travel centers across the country.

Leading up to Memorial Day 2024, announcements started pouring in from retailers unveiling new products, promotions and sweepstakes for the summer season:

• Casey’s General Stores Inc. kicked off the season with the introduction of a BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza and a King’s Hawaiian Pulled Pork Slider. Over the next few months, Casey’s will offer deals such as a large specialty pizza for just $14 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays through June 25; buy one, get one 50% off any large single-topping pizza through June 25; buy any large pizza, get a large single-topping pizza 50% off from June 26 through Sept. 3; and $3 cheesy breadsticks with any large pizza through Sept. 3.

• 7-Eleven Inc. ushered in summer with the introduction of new sweet and spicy items: the Mangonada Donut with Tajin seasoning and the limited-edition Peach Candy Lemonade Slurpee. 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members can get discounts on summertime favorites, including any-size Slurpee drink and bagged

EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS (2016-2024)

2021 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Infographics, June 2021

2018 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Editorial Use of Data, June 2017

2023 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Silver, Data Journalism, January/April/June 2022

2023 American Society of Business Press Editors, Upper Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Data Journalism, January/April/June 2022 Bronze, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, March 2022

2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Bronze, Best Original Research, June 2015

2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Silver, Best Original Research, June 2015

2020 Trade Association Business Publications

Intl. Tabbie Awards Honorable Mention, Best Single Issue, September 2019

2016 Trade Association Business Publications Intl. Tabbie Awards Silver, Front Cover Illustration, June 2015

candy for $2 through Aug. 27, and a small Slurpee drink for just $1 through Jan. 7, 2025.

• For the first time since coming together as one entity in 2023, Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop and Kum & Go are offering consistent summer savings on fresh food, sweet treats and beverages across their combined 20-state footprint. Among the highlights, Maverik and Kum & Go rewards members can take part in the 89-cent Fountain Frenzy through Oct. 1, available for up to a large-size fountain drink.

• GPM Investments LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ARKO Corp., is holding a “100 Days of Summer” promo through Sept. 3. Available across ARKO’s network of brands, the company’s partnership with various suppliers will enable customers to save on numerous products, including beverages, food and candy. Extra discounts will be available to fas REWARDS members.

• TravelCenters of America (TA), part of the bp portfolio, is hosting “Summermania” from May 24 through Sept. 2. Customers have the chance to win more than $100,000 in prizes, including candy for a year, a free meal every week at Country Pride or Iron Skillet, and free gas for a year via a bp gift card. Everyday giveaways will include a free fountain drink or coffee, a free meal at one of TA’s quick-service restaurants and a free meal at one of TA’s full-service restaurants.

These retailers are wise to focus on deals this year as inflation persists and expenses are a major factor shaping summer travel. Roughly 63% of the respondents to the GasBuddy survey cited cost as their top consideration when planning trips. Maximize the 2024 summer season by letting travelers — and locals alike — know how you provide value.

For comments, please contact Linda Lisanti, Editor-in-Chief, at llisanti@ensembleiq.com.

2023 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine

Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, September 2022

Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, March 2023

2022 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine

Winner, Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, March 2022

Winner, Business to Business, Food & Beverage, Series of Articles, October 2021

Honorable Mention, Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, September 2021

2020 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine

Business to Business, Retail, Series of Articles, September 2019

2018 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine

Business to Business, Retail, Website

Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2017

Business to Business, Editorial Use of Data, June 2017

2017 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine

Winner, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, May 2017 Honorable Mention, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, June 2016

2016 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine

Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2015

Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, August 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Laura Aufleger OnCue Express

Richard Cashion Curby’s Express Market

Billy Colemire Stinker Stores

Robert Falciani ExtraMile Convenience Stores

Jim Hachtel Core-Mark

Chris Hartman Rutter’s

Steady Energy That Parents Need

Caffeine from black and green tea.

EEOC Suit Impacts More Than Just Sheetz

All convenience retailers should review their hiring practices

I’M SURPRISED there hasn’t been more uproar from the convenience store industry about the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) lawsuit accusing Sheetz Inc. of racially discriminatory hiring practices for running background checks for criminal convictions on all job applicants and then allegedly denying them employment based on those records.

As reported in April on CSNews.com, the federal agency claims that the convenience store operator has maintained a longstanding practice of screening all job applicants for records of criminal conviction and then denying them employment based on those records. This disproportionately screened out Black, Native American/Alaska Native and multiracial applicants, which violated provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that prohibit disparate impact discrimination, the lawsuit states.

At a time when finding reliable workers is a major problem for c-store retailers, actions like this from the federal government only make the problem worse.

I’m not a lawyer, and I don’t know the specific details of the EEOC’s suit, but it seems to me that there are so many things questionable about this action.

Sheetz has been one of the more progressive companies in the c-store industry when it comes to diversity and inclusion. An integral part of the company’s corporate strategy is its IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) Initiative.

The EEOC lawsuit doesn’t allege that Sheetz was motivated by race when making hiring decisions. Yet, the federal agency claims that doing criminal background checks discriminates against minorities because Black men’s imprisonment rate is nearly seven times higher than White men and almost three times higher than Hispanic men. The EEOC calls this “disparate impact” and uses this statistical disparity to justify designating criminal offenders as a “protected class” under federal civil rights law.

Sheetz, like many other forward-thinking companies, has Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to support Black, female, LGBTQIA+ and Latinx employees. If the EEOC has its way, the company will have to start an ERG for ex-cons.

I joke about the ERG, but it’s no joke if this EEOC lawsuit is successful, or if the federal agency starts going after other retailers that perform criminal background checks on prospective employees. At a time when finding reliable workers is a major problem for c-store retailers, actions like this from the federal government only make the problem worse.

Sheetz, in a statement, said that it has attempted to work with the EEOC for nearly eight years to find common ground and resolve this dispute. “We will address the claims in court when the time comes,” the company told Convenience Store News

I don’t think employers should automatically disqualify any job candidate with a criminal history. However, the employer should be able to consider how appropriate that person’s record may be for the specific responsibilities of the job being filled. Hiring decisions should always be on a case-by-case basis. It’s probably a good time for other companies in the industry to review their own hiring practices to ensure they meet EEOC guidelines.

In 2019, a federal appeals court sided with the state of Texas when it challenged EEOC guidance against using criminal background checks in hiring decisions. Hopefully, the Sheetz case will have a similar outcome.

For comments, please contact Don Longo, Editorial Director Emeritus, at dlongo@ensembleiq.com.

Limited-Edition Longhorn Americana gives your customers the satisfaction they want at a price that drives your sales.

Summer Release: June 3rd (first ship) — August 3rd. Contact your sales rep today!

FEATURES

COVER STORY

30 A Trying Year

Inflation, higher operating costs and lower fuel prices took their toll in 2023.

TOP 100

52 Slow Motion

Settling from the impact of three big deals in 2023, questions surrounding the imminency of c-store industry M&A for the remainder of 2024 swirl.

DEPARTMENTS

E DITOR’S NOTE

4 Maximize the Summer Season

It would be wise to focus on value this year as inflation is sticking around

VIEWPOINT

6 EEOC Suit Impacts

More Than Just Sheetz

All convenience retailers should review their hiring practices.

SMALL OPERATOR

24 Trust & Transparency

Strong partnerships with distributors and suppliers help small operators stay competitive.

TWIC TALK

78 Addressing Ageism

Nearly eight in 10 women have experienced age-related discrimination in the workplace.

INSIDE THE CONSUMER MIND

98 Earning Loyalty

Satisfaction with c-store loyalty programs is declining among active members.

FOODSERVICE

67 Taking the Branded Route C-store operators can realize multiple benefits from partnering with a recognizable

TECHNOLOGY

74 Transformation Through Technology Convenience store retailers discussed their journeys at the 2024 Conexxus Annual Conference.

8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste. 225, Chicago, IL 60631 (773) 992-4450 Fax (773) 992-4455 WWW.CSNEWS.COM

BRAND MANAGEMENT

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT-GROUP PUBLISHERUS GROCERY & CONVENIENCE GROUP Paula Lashinsky (917) 446-4117 - plashinsky@ensembleiq.com

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Linda Lisanti llisanti@ensembleiq.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Melissa Kress mkress@ensembleiq.com

SENIOR EDITOR Angela Hanson ahanson@ensembleiq.com

MANAGING EDITOR Danielle Romano dromano@ensembleiq.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Amanda Koprowski akoprowski@ensembleiq.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EMERITUS Don Longo dlongo@ensembleiq.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Renée M. Covino, Tammy Mastroberte

ADVERTISING SALES & BUSINESS

ASSOCIATE BRAND DIRECTOR & NORTHEAST SALES MANAGER Rachel McGaffigan - (774) 212-6455 rmcgaffigan@ensembleiq.com

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE & CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Terry Kanganis - (917) 634-7471 - tkanganis@ensembleiq.com

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ART DIRECTOR Lauren DiMeo ldimeo@ensembleiq.com

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CORPORATE OFFICERS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jennifer Litterick

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jane Volland

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER Ann Jadown

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Joe Territo

Derek Estey

Casey’s Launches New Brand Campaign

Entitled “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Casey’s,” the campaign highlights how the brand stands out in the increasingly personalized, guest-centric and digital-forward convenience store channel. Casey’s points to its high-quality food offerings, unique limited-time menu options and value-driven products.

QuikTrip Shutters Nonfuel C-store Over Safety Concerns

The pilot site, which opened eight years ago at the intersection of Peachtree and 6th streets in Atlanta, will be used as a “learning experience” to help the brand as it expands. The company is in the process of identifying a new Atlanta location for a full-service store.

NACS: New Overtime Rule Could Negatively Impact Small Businesses

Effective July 1, the salary threshold for overtime protection will increase to the equivalent of an annual salary of $43,888 before increasing to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025. The rule, according to NACS, will reduce employees’ flexibility and its costs will fuel inflation.

Wawa Opens First of Three Alabama Stores Planned for 2024

On April 26, the retailer officially opened in Fairhope, Ala., the first of three sites slated to open in the South Alabama market before the end of summer. Overall, Wawa plans to open seven to 10 stores in the Baldwin County and Mobile markets over the next three to four years.

1 3 4 5 2

Murphy USA to Accelerate Store Openings

The retailer is focusing on adding new and remodeled convenience stores as a key strategic move, with 30 to 35 new stores projected to open this year. Currently, 22 raze-and-rebuilds are underway along with nine new-to-industry stores, including new QuickChek branded stores.

Uncovering Hidden Pain Points in C-store Pricing & Promotions

A big hurdle for many convenience store retailers is spotting the sneaky “margin creep” and “revenue creep” that come from ineffective promotions, writes Patrick O’Mara, a solution principal for RELEX Solutions, a supply chain management software provider. Without a clear method to analyze these promotions, stores could be unknowingly hurting their profits. For instance, a promotion intended to boost sales might instead cannibalize sales of other products or shift demand without genuinely increasing revenue. Adopting advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning-driven analytical tools can provide c-stores with the insights needed to make informed decisions.

Hot Spot Celebrates 75 Years in Business

In an era of substantial consolidation, Hot Spot — the convenience store banner of R.L. Jordan Oil Co. of North Carolina — has worked to maintain its ever-growing family roots. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the company now employs three generations of Jordans, with the children of founder Robert L. Jordan all co-owning the business.

Employee retention and relationships have played a big part in allowing R.L. Jordan Oil to maintain its independence for so long. Current CEO Wilton L. Jordan talked with Convenience Store News about the family’s history and the way it’s intertwined with the company itself.

For more exclusive stories, visit the Special Features section of csnews.com.

MOST VIEWED NEW PRODUCT

Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Bar New Flavors

Häagen-Dazs unveils two new options in its ice cream bar line, Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Cookie Crumble. The Dulce de Leche bars feature ice cream mixed with swirls of dulce de leche sauce coated in milk chocolate, while the Chocolate Cookie Crumble bars include sweet cream ice cream with a touch of Madagascar vanilla and fudge swirls, dipped in milk chocolate and covered with chocolate cookie pieces. Both offerings are now available at select locations in six-count minis for $6.99 and three-count full-sized for $5.99.

CA LAW

The sale of tobacco products including e-cigs is prohibited to persons under 21.

Don’t get fined. Scan to learn more.

Federal Menthol Ban Faces Indefinite Delay

The Biden Administration hits the pause button due to “an immense amount of feedback”

A FEDERAL BAN on menthol cigarettes has been delayed again and this time, the Biden Administration is pointing the finger at the amount of feedback received on the proposal.

The proposed ban was first delayed in December 2023, with plans to finalize pushed back. In a statement issued on April 26, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the proposed ban “will take significantly more time.”

“This rule has garnered historic attention, and the public comment period has yielded an immense amount of feedback, including from various elements of the civil rights and criminal justice movement,” Becerra explained. “It’s clear that there are still more conversations to have, and that will take significantly more time.”

In published remarks, administration officials stated that they are still committed to implementing a ban. Menthol cigarettes account for approximately 34% of cigarette sales, according to NACS.

In early May, the African American

Tobacco Control Leadership Council, Action on Smoking and Health and the National Medical Association filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to its inaction on the proposed ban. This is the second suit the groups have brought against the administration, after an initial filing in June 2020 that specifically sought to compel the FDA’s determination on whether to add menthol to the list of prohibited characterizing flavors.

The pending menthol ban has received opposition from other groups, including NACS. The association argues that prohibition does not rid these products from society, but instead pushes current users to the illicit market, creating an issue for society as a whole and undermining the compliance efforts and investments made by responsible tobacco retailers. In addition, prohibition leads to an influx of these products on the illicit market and illicit sellers do not comply with laws limiting sales to minors, NACS noted.

“We appreciate the willingness of the Department of Health and Human Services to give more consideration to its policies relating to menthol cigarettes,” said Doug Kantor, general counsel at NACS. “Real-world data and results have shown that prohibition of menthol cigarettes does not reduce smoking or advance public health. Instead, like the experience with prohibition of other entrenched products, it simply leads to more illicit sales. We hope the weight of evidence showing the ineffectiveness of what was originally proposed leads the department to change course entirely.”

“T v or us and w ”

Gregory, Exec. Director, Newnan, GA

“T v incr I ”

Tony, Owner Operator Willoughby, OH o hav his.

and much mor ganiz ”

Emma, Exec. Assistant, Griffin, GA

Miguel, Manager Deerfield, IL

Eye on Growth

Rutter’s broke ground on a 13,500-squarefoot prototype store, due to open later this year in central Pennsylvania. Located near Milton in Northumberland County, the design features an entirely new look that the company said has “game-changing features.”

Wawa Inc. cut the ribbon on its first North Carolina store in Kill Devil Hills. The retailer plans to open 90 stores throughout the state in the coming years, with locations planned for the Wilmington, Jacksonville and Fayetteville areas.

The first new Enmarket store of 2024 opened its doors in Savannah, Ga., bringing the chain’s network to 131 locations. The 6,098-square-foot store features

an Enmarket Eatery and a Marketwash car wash situated at the east end of the property.

ARKO Corp. subsidiary GPM Investments LLC broke ground on its 65th Fast Market convenience store. The 5,600-square-foot location is slated to open later this year in Gilbert, Ariz., and will offer many new foodservice menu items.

Love’s Travel Stops reported that it opened a new location in St. Augustine, Fla.; rebuilt an existing location in Troutdale, Ore.; and cut the ribbon on five new Speedco locations. Love’s also completed upgrades to two existing maintenance shops.

bp is looking to expand its U.S. electric vehicle (EV) charging unit following news that Tesla abruptly disbanded its EV charging team. The energy company will prioritize the Northeast, West Coast, Sun Belt and Great Lakes regions.

24_003915_Conv_Store_News_JUN Mod: May 16, 2024 1:54 PM Print: 05/17/24 page 1 v2.5

Wawa also recently began its journey into central Pennsylvania, breaking ground on a new store in Middletown in mid-April.

Retailer Tidbits

Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market shuttered their combined 30-plus locations on April 23. The decision came less than six months after the two retailers joined forces under a new entity, Outfox Hospitality.

TravelCenters of America (TA) partnered with The NATSO Foundation to equip all TA Truck Service Emergency Roadside Assistance vehicles with the HAAS Alert Safety Cloud digital alerting platform. The software sends “slow down” and “move over” alerts to oncoming drivers.

Kwik Trip Inc.’s newest innovation combines the snackability of two customer favorites: doughnuts and chips. Blueberry Dunker flavored URGE potato chips are a

Supplier Tidbits

LSI Industries Inc. is acquiring EMI Industries for an all-cash purchase price of $50 million. The lighting and display solutions company will retain EMI Industries’ leadership team and its five production facilities.

Certain subsidiaries of Utz Brands Inc. entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of certain assets to Our Home, an independent better-for-you platform. Included in the deal are Utz’s Berlin, Pa., and Fitchburg, Mass., manufacturing facilities.

McLane Co. Inc. cut the ribbon on an Innovation Kitchen at the company’s headquarters in Temple, Texas. Featuring a full-scale replica of the complete c-store experience, it showcases how innovative

nod to the chain’s popular Blueberry Dunker doughnuts, which debuted in 2013.

Gas N Wash, in partnership with Rovertown, unveiled an enhanced mobile app and rewards program following a successful soft launch in 2023. The app allows users to save at the pump, collect cash back on in-store purchases and earn complimentary car washes.

H&S Energy Products LLC is teaming up with Liquid Barcodes Inc. for a new car wash subscription program. The offering will roll out to the retailer’s 170-plus ExtraMile and Power Market convenience stores.

Wesco Inc. reported that it surpassed $3 million in annual sales last year. The western Michigan-based chain achieved 43% growth in delivery service operations in 2023. Delivery is offered at approximately 33 stores.

retail foodservice equipment and products from the distributor can fit into various footprints and counter spaces.

The Coca-Cola Co. is launching CocaCola Lens, an insights platform designed to empower operators in the foodservice and retail industries to make data-driven decisions. To kick off the platform, there are 16 stories covering topics as broad as macroeconomic trends and as tailored as premium water trends.

Mars Inc. will invest $47 million over three years to reduce the carbon footprint of its dairy sourcing. This initiative is in line with the company’s 2030 ambition to slash emissions by 50%.

This follows a separate transaction through which Our Home purchased three manufacturing facilities and two brands from Utz in February.

FAST FACTS $247B

49%

of 8- to 18-year-olds report that they like to post about their restaurant experiences on social media.

— Y-Pulse

The U.S. gift card market is forecasted to reach a value of more than $247 billion by 2027.

— Blackhawk Network & NAPCO Research

30%

The average number of unique drivers using workplace charging ports throughout the last year jumped 30%.

— ChargePoint & CBRE Group Inc.

Costa Iced Coffee Lattes

The Coca-Cola Co. introduces a new offering to the ready-to-drink coffee market. Made with real cane sugar, dairy milk and approximately 85 milligrams of caffeine, Costa Iced Coffee Lattes are available in three flavors: Mocha, a fusion of coffee with a hint of chocolate; Caramel, which contains 40% less sugar than other brands; and Signature Blend, a traditional coffee blend with just a hint of sweetness. The line underwent a successful pilot this past fall and is now expanding its footprint across U.S. markets, including at select 7-Eleven and QuikTrip stores. Costa Iced Coffee Lattes come in 11-ounce cans with a suggested retail price of $3.49.  THE COCA-COLA CO. • ATLANTA • US.COSTACOFFEE.COM

Aspire Healthy Energy Drinks

Hubba Bubba Skittles Mini Gum

Mars Inc.’s Hubba Bubba gum brand unveils a new format: mini gum. The first product in the line is Hubba Bubba Skittles Mini Gum, which features a mix of fan-favorite Skittles original flavors, including lemon, strawberry, grape, orange and lime. The first new gum format from the brand since 1988, Hubba Bubba Skittles Mini Gum’s poppable pieces are now available at select retailers in 40-count bottles and 120-count stand-up pouches. Mars plans to continue rolling out the product nationally throughout the year.   MARS INC. • NEWARK, N.J. • HUBBABUBBA.COM

Aspire Drinks introduces a new look for its Healthy Energy Drinks line, a refresh that will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign featuring a national influencer program, updated social media, sampling events and public relations. The beverages have no sugar but contain 80 milligrams of caffeine; B and C vitamins that are intended to enhance clarity and focus; biotin that, according to the company, can support healthy skin and nails; ginger root for circulation; and L-carnitine for a more effective metabolism. The line is keto friendly, vegan, gluten free, soy free, kosher and suitable for people with diabetes. Available nationwide, Aspire Healthy Energy Drinks are sold as individual cans, four-packs, 12-packs, 15-packs, 18-packs and 24-packs.

ASPIRE DRINKS • CHICAGO • ASPIREDRINKS.COM

CasHere 9000 Cash Recycler

Rich’s Turtle Cheesecake Mousse Parfait Rich Products Corp. presents Our Specialty Treat Shop Turtle Cheesecake Mousse Parfait, a layered dessert featuring a cheesecake mousse on a bed of chocolate crumbs, topped with caramel, chocolate chips and pecans. This indulgent treat arrives frozen, fully finished and retail ready in a convenient 5.75ounce cup. The refrigerated shelf life is eight days while the frozen shelf life is 365 days. The product comes eight per case, with a suggested retail price range of $3.49 to $3.99 per serving.

RICH PRODUCTS CORP. • BUFFALO, N.Y. • RICHSCONVENIENCE.COM

CIMA Cash Handling America Inc. releases the CasHere 9000, a compact, high-capacity cash recycler for back-office retail cash management. The CasHere 9000 is an all-in-one cassette-based, cash-in, cash-out cash recycler that offers increased capacity and up to 20 possible configurations. The recycler accepts, authenticates, stores and dispenses banknotes through a high-capacity input/output/reject slot, with banknote detection handled by a validator that can either perform authenticity detection only or incorporate banknote fitness sorting. Recycling and storage are carried out via five scalable cash boxes/cassettes with a range of features. The CasHere 9000 can also be paired with a coin recycler.  CIMA CASH HANDLING AMERICA INC. • HOUSTON • CIMA-AMERICA.COM

BIC Special Edition Vacation Lighters

BIC relaunches its Maxi Pocket Lighters in the new Special Edition Vacation Series. Featuring designs of sunny beaches, relaxing hammocks at sunset and surfers ready to hit the waves, this series may have a spring launch, but it is ready for summer, according to the company. Like all BIC Maxi Lighters, the Pocket Lighters are long-lasting, reliable and 100% quality inspected. The Special Edition Vacation Series comes with a suggested retail price of $2.39 per lighter.

BIC USA INC. • SHELTON, CONN. • US.BIC.COM/EN_US

Haribo Unicorn-i-licious Gummies

Haribo brings a new entry to its line of shaped gummi candies. Unicorn-i-licious combines the brand’s signature chew with whimsical unicorn shapes. Featuring a rainbow array of unicorns in six flavors — apple, blue raspberry, berry punch, banana, cotton candy and tangerine — the offering marks the company’s first gummi to feature unicorns and is exclusive to the U.S. market. In addition to the new shape, Unicorn-i-licious introduces the Cotton Candy flavor to U.S. Haribo products. The item is now available nationwide.

HARIBO • ROSEMONT, ILL. • HARIBO.COM

Prairie Farms Mocha & Caramel Iced Coffee

Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. expands its presence in the bottled drink category with two new single-serve options for the brand’s Barista Style Iced Coffee: Mocha and Caramel. With the company’s iced coffee options previously available only in half-gallon cartons, on-the-go customers can now find the product in more convenient 14-ounce bottles. Prairie Farms Barista Style Iced Coffee is available at convenience stores, as well as grocery and mass merchandiser outlets, throughout the United States.

PRAIRIE FARMS DAIRY INC. • EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. • PRAIRIEFARMS.COM

Gerrit J. Verburg Co. Classic Gum Brands

Gerrit J. Verburg Co. is bringing back to market four different classic gum brands in bitesize, sugarless form and covered in a hard shell coating. Beemans, Black Jack, Clove and Gerrit’s Teaberry chewing gums now come in recloseable tubes to maintain freshness, and are gluten free and GMO free. Beemans, Black Jack and Clove are long-established brands with histories stretching back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

GERRIT J. VERBURG CO. • FENTON, MICH. • VINTAGEGUMS.COM

RELEX Mobile Pro

RELEX Solutions introduces RELEX Mobile Pro, an AI-driven, in-store execution application for retailers, suppliers, wholesalers and manufacturers. As a platform to help retailers consolidate their in-store tools and processes, Mobile Pro offers a range of capabilities to streamline inventory management and ensure fresh departments are up-to-date. Users can review and amend orders based on suggested replenishment amounts and make modifications based on stock counting updates. The solution also allows for ad-hoc order creation to address unexpected needs, while scanning and search functionalities enable users to instantly access product-specific data while in-store.

RELEX SOLUTIONS • ATLANTA • RELEXSOLUTIONS.COM

Trust & Transparency

Strong partnerships with distributors and suppliers help small operators stay competitive

By Renée M. Covino

HISTORICALLY, the practice of convenience store retailers aligning with suppliers and distributors to fulfill the quick needs of their customers has given the advantage to larger chains and their bigger buying power.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic produced something of a supply-chain silver lining across the channel. Large retailers, small retailers, suppliers and distributors were all in the same overturned boat. Trust and transparency were heightened like never before in order to produce solutions to get everyone back on track. The result: updated best practices in collaboration that recognize forward-thinking small operators in a bigger way.

The pandemic accelerated the need for greater access to real-time data to inform decision-making amid supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and decreases in consumer spending, noted Blake Weber, retail technology project manager at Clarkston Consulting, based in Atlanta. “While these challenges may have added tensions to some existing retailer/supplier relationships, overall we are seeing that they have actually driven collaboration and

trust in the partnerships, large and small, as both sides have worked together to navigate these issues,” he told Convenience Store News.

For example, Weber cited that exchanging inventory and forecast data is now providing advanced visibility to avoid retail stock-outs; outsourcing inventory management to suppliers and distributors is removing friction in the retail ordering process and ensuring shelves are quickly replenished; and collaborating on managing promotions and leveraging historical sales data is driving promotion efficiency and execution.

“As smaller c-store operators adjusted to industrywide changes, they have been exploring ways to lean into the supplier and distributor partnerships to achieve efficiencies in resourcing and costs,” he added. “Rather than selecting suppliers based on costs and margins, c-store operators are evaluating relationships more holistically through the lens of creating long-term, mutually beneficial — and profitable — partnerships that will ultimately provide the best experiences for their customers.”

The pandemic inspired positive changes in how Lacey, Wash.-based Harbor Wholesale, the largest independent distributor in the West, serves small operators. The fourth-generation, family-owned company serves more than 6,000 convenience stores, independent grocers and

quick-service restaurants with a selection of local and national products, business solutions and its proprietary Real Fresh Brands items.

“We started doing more with social media and e-newsletters to ensure that all the information was getting to our retailers,” said Harbor Wholesale President Rick Jensen. “Our product mix also shifted; we added more traditional grocery items to support the local communities our retailers serve. Lastly, we became more flexible in order to manage through supplychain challenges and changes in product availability.”

Because Harbor Wholesale is a familyowned company that’s “entrepreneurial at heart, we understand the unique challenges the independent business owner faces,” Jensen explained, noting that the distributor is currently working with its c-store partners on high-quality foodservice programs, promotional activity and store-level rebates through its Harbor Rewards program, and a new seasonal candy program to get more consumers inside the stores and drive incremental sales.

“We have grown with our independent c-store customers,” Jensen said. “As their needs change and grow, we continue to learn and add new solutions to our business. Our mission is dedicated to supporting the local entrepreneurs that provide jobs in their communities, bring convenience to busy lives, and invite us all to experience life around the table every day.”

The pandemic has had a lasting impact on

“Rather than selecting suppliers based on costs and margins, c-store operators are evaluating relationships more holistically through the lens of creating long-term, mutually beneficial — and profitable — partnerships that will ultimately provide the best experiences for their customers.”

— Blake Weber, Clarkston Consulting

Temple, Texas-based McLane Co. Inc., one of the largest distributors in America, as well, according to Jeff Opp, who serves as sales director for independent business. Since then, McLane has reimagined and launched a new pizza program, beverage program, fresh program and more with an emphasis on innovation, on-trend items and being a strategic growth partner, as well as a one-stop-shop for the convenience store industry’s smaller players.

“We want to equip the smaller c-store to succeed to the highest quality with turnkey programs,” Opp stated. “We have trucks making deliveries in every zip code in the country, essentially. We know we can reach them, and we think we have the assortment and tools to help them grow.”

Guidelines for Good Partnerships

• Maintain transparent and frequent communication. Establish how that will take place at the onset of the relationship.

• Share the “why” behind changes, good or bad, within the business. Often, this is all it takes for patience and understanding on both sides.

• Have conversations about your short- and long-term growth strategies. Try to avoid surprises.

• Decide if the distributor/supplier will act as category manager. Regardless, take the time to listen and learn when a supplier/distributor shares knowledge.

• Challenge your partners to provide category and trend information you don’t know.

• Be open to new ideas and methods to generate additional revenue.

• Work with your reps to ensure you understand all the products, discounts, rebates, programs and elements of support being offered.

• Secure access to supplier/distributor data so that you can make more datadriven decisions on future procurement and merchandising activities.

• Embrace resiliency and adaptability to better meet the needs of consumers.

Small Operators, Big Ideas

While the consensus is that the pandemic accelerated a better world of partnerships for small operators, the question now is: What will make them even better?

Recognizing that small operators don’t often have the staff to study and analyze their businesses, Bill Nolan, a partner with Business Accelerator Team, a group of c-store industry consultants based in Phoenix, hopes they can let go more and rely on suppliers and distributors to provide trends in the marketplace, new item and promotional insights/opportunities, and assistance with planograms and seasonal resets.

“The partnerships that improve the most will be those that stay in touch, respond quickly to calls and follow up on problems or issues,” he said. “Staying connected beyond just the next delivery means the small operator should inquire about special programs, promotions and marketing opportunities. It means distributors/suppliers should share how they are working to be more efficient and helping to drive costs out of their business that can be passed along to the small operator.”

From a foodservice perspective, Tim Powell, managing principal of Foodservice IP, a research-based management consulting firm headquartered in Chicago, agrees that for small operators to have healthy collaborations into the future, it will depend on the retailer’s ability to make sure their partners understand their unique operating pressures, business structure, concept, requirements and potential, and to build a consultative relationship with them.

“In the future, I expect to see more external intelligence. Distributors and suppliers will help smaller operators understand commodity information, marketplace information, demographics, menu ideas and competitive intelligence,” he said.

The way Clarkston Consulting’s Weber sees it, the c-store industry is shifting away from being fuel-focused to being a destination for customers to buy fresh food and beverages, household items and quick-service meals. “Retailers and suppliers can strengthen their relationships by embracing this change. Leveraging each of their data, they can collaborate on tailoring the assortment to bring new and innovative products to their local customer base and look for opportunities to innovate together across categories,” he advised.

Relationships between retailers of all sizes and their suppliers can also benefit from the adoption of new technologies that help drive operational efficiencies. Ultimately, Weber believes technology can simplify and/ or automate many of the back-and-forth exchanges in the future, driving down costs and improving profitability for both parties.

“Whether it’s integrating existing systems, leveraging cost-effective SaaS solutions or interacting directly with suppliers’ and distributors’ digital platforms, c-store operators can streamline their inventory management, ordering and replenishment, AR/AP processes and even exception processes to handle credits for mispicks or damaged goods,” he explained.

Opp envisions small and independent c-store retailers also leveraging more private-label products in the future, which he said are especially attractive among millennials these days. He noted that McLane’s CVP (Consumer Value Products) line of more than 240 private-label products is continually being tweaked and expanded.

“It’s a lower-cash outlay for consumers, higher profits for retailers and contributes to a more loyal customer base overall,” Opp said. “It addresses some of the challenges of our independent operators, and we will continue to extend it in popular categories.” CSN

A TRYING YEAR

INFLATION, HIGHER OPERATING COSTS AND LOWER FUEL PRICES TOOK THEIR TOLL IN 2023

BY ANGELA HANSON & LINDA LISANTI

HEADING INTO 2023, inflation, the ongoing labor shortage and motor fuel prices had convenience store retailers worried about their business prospects for the year ahead. It turns out they had cause for concern.

After hitting record-high sales in 2022, total U.S. convenience store sales declined 4.7% in 2023, going from $814 billion to $775.5 billion, according to the 2024 Convenience Store News Industry Report, the longest-running annual analysis of U.S. c-store industry performance.

For the third consecutive year, in-store sales at U.S. convenience stores hit a new high of $287.7 billion last year, up 4.5% over the prior year. Much of that increase, however, was due to inflation pushing product prices higher throughout 2023. The consumer price index, which measures price changes over time, was 5.7% for the year, down slightly from 6.5% in 2022.

In-store sales growth also came from a 1.5% increase in the industry’s

store count, which now stands at 152,396 locations. Chains account for 39.8%, while single stores comprise 60.2%. The number of industry locations operated by chains rose 1.4% year over year, while the number of stores operated by single-store operators ticked up by 1.5%.

INDUSTRY SALES MIX

INDUSTRY GROSS PROFIT

The chief contributor to the overall sales decline was motor fuels. Fuel volume grew slightly, with gallons up 1.4% for the year. But lower gas prices drove the industry’s 2023 fuel revenue to decrease by 9.4%, going from $538.7 billion to $487.8 billion.

As a result, the convenience store industry’s sales mix for 2023 still skewed more toward motor fuels, but in-store sales captured a larger slice of the pie than a year ago. In-store comprised 37.1%, up from 33.8% in 2022. Fuel comprised 62.9%, down from 66.2%.

The in-store business also made gains in profitability last year. Looking at the industry’s gross profit dollar mix, in-store accounted for 60.3%, up from 59.2% a year ago — its highest percentage in the last five years. Fuel accounted for 39.7%, down from 40.8%. Overall, industry gross profits rose a meager 2.3% last year to $126.83 billion.

Both in-store and fuel transactions per week at U.S. convenience stores dropped in 2023 vs. 2022, likely due to customers feeling the pinch of inflation. Less disposable income translated into fewer visits to the channel. In-store transactions per week dropped 3% and motor fuel transactions per week dropped 3.7%. This was a

DIRECT STORE OPERATING EXPENSES (dollars per store)

EMPLOYEE TURNOVER

TRANSACTIONS

C-STORE SQUARE FOOTAGE

significant reversal from the prior year when in-store transactions increased 7.2% and motor fuel transactions increased 3.6%.

OPERATIONS RESULTS

Adding to the challenging environment, direct store operating expenses continued to increase at a double-digit pace last year. Rising 11.3%, 2023 operating expenses per store topped the $1 million mark. Credit card fees saw the steepest increase, jumping 26.6% year over year.

Labor, including wages, payroll taxes, workers compensation, health insurance and other benefits, accounted for the largest share of operating expenses at $609,705 per store, up 6.6% vs. the prior year when the industry saw an 11.2% increase in labor costs.

The ongoing labor shortage, which dates back to the COVID-19 pandemic, has prompted c-store retailers to raise their starting wages and offer retention bonuses to try to attract and keep storelevel employees. Pre-pandemic, 2019 wages per store totaled $354,271. In 2023, this line item crossed the $500,000 threshold, totaling $518,297 per store.

Despite retailers’ efforts, turnover remains high. Last year, though, did bring some improvement. The 2023 turnover rate for store associates was 158%, down from 163% in 2022. The turnover rate for store managers was 90%, down from 94%.

MOTOR FUELS

The percentage of convenience stores selling gasoline held steady last year, dropping less than a percentage point to 78.8%. Approximately 120,061 U.S. c-stores in total offer motor fuels.

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RETAIL GASOLINE PRICES

FIVE-YEAR TREND:

Retail gasoline prices eased in 2023 compared to the previous year, when the market most acutely felt the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The weighted average price of all grades of gasoline and diesel declined 10.8% to $3.56 per gallon, down from $3.99 in 2022.

Accordingly, total motor fuel dollar sales across the industry fell to $487.8 billion. Despite the drop from $538.7 billion the previous year, this still marked the secondhighest amount for fuel dollar sales in the past five years. Total gallons sold (136.9 billion) also reached their second-highest level in that timeframe, trailing 153.7 billion gallons in 2019.

Average motor fuel gross margin in 2023 slipped 4% to 28.7 cents per gallon.

CIGARETTES

For the second year in a row, cigarette sales shrank in the

IN-STORE SALES BY CATEGORY

FOODSERVICE MERCHANDISE

Beef Empanada

CATEGORY ANALYSIS:

CATEGORY ANALYSIS: OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS

FIVE-YEAR TREND: CIGARETTES

FIVE-YEAR TREND: OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS

convenience channel in 2023, declining 5.7% to $409,985 in average sales per store.

Economy/value cigarettes were the bright spot in terms of growth. The segment increased 19.7% to $27,209 in average sales per store, indicating that smokers are looking to save money on their cigarette purchases. This segment, however, was also the smallest in terms of actual dollar sales.

Premium/super premium cigarettes at $327,279 in average sales per store and midlevel cigarettes at $55,497 in average sales per store led the category in dollar sales, yet both segments saw per-store sales decline by more than 7% each.

Total industry dollar sales of cigarettes fell 4.3% in 2023, while total unit volume decreased 7.4%, the secondlargest drop in the last five years. Cigarettes’ share of in-store sales fell to a new five-year low of 21.51%, down from 23.49% the previous year.

OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Other tobacco products (OTP) saw better results than cigarettes in 2023, although the category still experienced a slowdown. Average dollar sales per store increased just 2.4% to $151,205, down from 4% growth the prior year.

The top three segments in the category — smokeless, vaping products and cigars — all saw average dollar sales drop. The smokeless tobacco alternatives segment saw the most growth with a 61.1% increase in sales per

store, up from the already impressive 46.2% growth the segment posted in 2022. Papers, pipe/cigarette tobacco and other tobacco nicotine products also grew, but remain low in actual dollar sales.

Total industry sales of OTP were up 3.9% last year, dipping slightly from 4.6% growth in 2022. Total unit volume saw a 3.3% drop, down from a 0.5% drop the previous year. OTP’s share of in-store sales held steady at 7.93%.

CATEGORY ANALYSIS:

FIVE-YEAR TREND: FOODSERVICE

FOODSERVICE

Foodservice was the standout in 2023. The category posted double-digit sales growth, albeit the rate of growth slowed from the previous year. Average foodservice sales per store increased 11.9% to $388,607, down from 18.8% growth in 2022.

All foodservice segments experienced an increase in dollar sales, reinforcing the category’s importance to the channel. Prepared food, though, led the way as both the top-selling segment and the biggest grower, with average dollar sales per store increasing 12.9%.

Cold dispensed beverages and frozen dispensed beverages both saw average dollar sales growth of at least 10%. Hot dispensed beverages posted the lowest sales growth at 7.8%, but the segment generated the second-most dollar sales by a comfortable margin.

Total industry sales of foodservice jumped 13.5%. This was a slowdown from the previous two years, which hovered around 20% growth as the industry recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, but above the 5.2% industry sales increase seen in 2019. Foodservice’s share of in-store sales set a new high-water mark of 20.4%, up from 18.77% the previous year.

PACKAGED BEVERAGES

The cold vault had another solid year with nearly all segments experiencing growth. Average sales per store of packaged beverages increased 6.3% to $269,973, down less than a percentage point from the previous year’s growth.

CATEGORY ANALYSIS: PACKAGED BEVERAGES

The energy/alternative drinks segment solidified its position as the top seller and was the only segment to see double-digit growth, with per-store dollar sales rising 10.8%. Other segments where dollar sales increased 5% or more included No. 2 carbonated soft drinks (up 5.1%), sports drinks (up 6.2%) and enhanced water (up 7.3%), demonstrating continued consumer interest in functional beverages. Ready-to-drink coffee was the only segment to see a decline.

Total industry sales of packaged beverages increased 7.9% in 2023, virtually matching the previous year’s growth rate. Total unit volume saw no change year over year. The category’s share of in-store sales grew less than a point to 14.17%, a five-year high point.

BEER & MALT BEVERAGES

Beer and malt beverage sales slowed in 2023 due to mixed results among the various segments. Average sales per store rose 1.6% to $170,456, down from 3.5% growth in 2022.

Flavored malt beverages and cheladas saw some of the most significant growth last year, with per-store sales increasing 19.3% and 18.4%, respectively. Imported beer (up 6.9%), microbrews/craft (up 6%) and alcoholic cider (up 9.6%) also experienced healthy sales growth.

CATEGORY ANALYSIS:

Conversely, multiple other segments saw sales decline. Although premium beer remains the top seller in actual dollars, the segment’s average sales per store fell 6.1%. Additionally, the boom days of alcoholic seltzer appear to be over as the segment’s sales dropped 10.8%.

Total industry sales of beer and malt beverages increased 3.1%, but total unit volume remained flat at 0.6% growth, indicating that inflation was the likely driver of dollar growth. The category’s share of in-store sales fell less than a percentage point to 8.94%. Just over 80% of U.S. c-stores sold beer and malt beverages in 2023, marking no change from 2022.

FIVE-YEAR TREND: BEER/MALT BEVERAGES

STORES SELLING BEER

CANDY

2023 was a fairly sweet year for the candy category with all segments seeing growth. Average sales per store increased 8% to $69,523, slowing from 12% growth in 2022.

For the second year in a row, gum posted the largest percentage increase at 16.8%, with the exception of novelty candy, a relatively small segment. Meanwhile, the top-selling segment of chocolate bars/packs saw 3.9% growth in per-store sales, down from 9.9% growth the previous year. Bagged/repackaged peg candy, the runner-up in terms of actual dollar sales, saw less of a year-over-year slip with a 12.3% increase, down from 14.7% growth in 2022.

The candy category appears to be particularly buoyed by inflation as 2023’s healthy 9.6% growth in total industry sales masked a 4.4% decline in total unit volume. The category’s share of in-store sales increased by less than a percentage point to 3.65%.

CATEGORY ANALYSIS:

CATEGORY ANALYSIS: SALTY SNACKS

SNACKS

Similar to the candy category, salty snack sales growth slowed but stayed positive across all segments last year. Average sales per store of salty snacks overall increased 8.6% to $60,294 in 2023, down from 15% growth the previous year.

While the puffed cheese segment posted the highest growth rate of 13%, potato chips and tortilla/corn chips remained the category’s top sellers and saw average dollar sales per store rise 8.3% and 9.6% for the year, respectively.

Total industry sales of salty snacks increased 10.2%, while total unit volume decreased 1.2% following two prior years of volume growth. The decrease in unit volume, combined with dollar sales growth that was solid but down substantially from the previous year, indicates that inflation drove salty snack revenue in 2023 but not as significantly as the previous year. Salty snacks’ share of in-store sales saw little change and stands at 3.16%.

The alternative snacks category experienced a flatter year than salty snacks with average sales per store increasing just 0.9% to $22,295, down from 3.4% growth in 2022.

Bars had the most success within the category as health/energy bars grew 11.5% in per-store sales and

CATEGORY ANALYSIS:

granola/yogurt bars were up 11%. Conversely, meat snacks — the largest alternative snack segment by far — saw per-store sales decline 4%.

Total industry sales of alternative snacks rose 2.4% in 2023, down from 4% growth the previous year, while total unit volume dropped 5.2%, marking a second consecutive year of declines. Alternative snacks’ share of in-store sales held steady at 1.17%.

CATEGORY ANALYSIS: EDIBLE GROCERY

EDIBLE GROCERY

Sales of edible grocery slowed but stayed in the green in 2023, with average sales per store increasing 4.1% to $104,737, down from 14.8% growth the previous year.

Other dairy/deli products saw the most growth in dollar sales, increasing 7.7%, while remaining the top-selling segment in the category by a significant margin. Frozen foods, condiments, packaged bread and other edible grocery all posted modest growth, while breakfast cereal (down 2% in sales per store) and packaged coffee/tea (down 4.7%) were in the red.

Total industry sales of edible grocery rose 5.7% last year, a drop of nearly 10 points from 2022. Edible grocery’s total unit volume declined for the first time in the last five years, falling 1.4%. The category’s share of in-store sales saw little change at 5.5%.

NONEDIBLE GROCERY

The nonedible grocery category saw mostly positive results in 2023, with average sales per store increasing 2.4% to $31,191. This was down from 8.2% growth the previous year.

CATEGORY ANALYSIS:

Paper/plastic/foil products

continued to hold the top spot within the category with 4.6% growth in dollar sales. Laundry care, though, posted the biggest increase for the third year in a row with a 6.3% rise in per-store sales last year.

Total industry sales of nonedible grocery rose 3.9%, marking the second consecutive year of growth, but total unit volume decreased 2.8%, down from 3.6% growth in 2022. The category’s share of in-store sales stayed nearly the same at 1.64%.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE

Mixed results across the various segments of general merchandise led to an overall sales decline for the category in 2023. Average sales per store fell 2.5% to

CATEGORY ANALYSIS:

$59,531, down from 1.6% growth the prior year.

Hardware/tools/housewares, seasonal, and school and office supplies were the only segments to see per-store sales increase last year, with hardware/tools/ housewares also posting the most growth at 13.6%. All other segments experienced sales declines, with telecommunications hardware seeing the biggest drop of 9.8%.

Total industry sales of general merchandise decreased 1%, marking the first decline after three years of growth. Total unit volume fell 5%, following a 3.3% drop in 2022. General merchandise’s share of in-store sales decreased by less than one point to 3.12%.

HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE

Sales declined across many segments of health and beauty care (HBC) last year, but the category overall still saw growth driven by the vitamins and supplements segment. Average sales per store of HBC increased 3.5% to $12,541, down from 5.7% growth the previous year.

Per-store sales of vitamins and supplements jumped 23.4%, a slight decrease from 2022 when sales increased by more than 25%, pushing it into the No. 1 spot. Grooming aids and stomach remedies were the only other HBC segments to see growth last year.

Total industry sales of HBC rose 5%, slipping from 6.6% growth the previous year. Total unit volume declined 0.7%. The category’s share of in-store sales held steady at 0.66%. CSN

FIVE-YEAR TREND:

METHODOLOGY

The 49th annual Convenience Store News Industry Report features data from a variety of sources in order to provide a complete picture of the financial health of the convenience store industry. Store census data was provided by TDLinx, which maintains a national count of c-store locations based on NACS’ definition of a convenience store. Sales data for most categories was provided by NIQ from its Convenience Track retail measurement service, which is based on UPC sales and other methods that are counted through the use of point-of-sale scan data, as well as from data captured via electronic invoice and sales audits. Additionally, non-UPC coded merchandise, including prepared food and hot, cold and frozen dispensed beverages, was provided by a retailer survey conducted by Convenience Store News. Government sources include the Census Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Energy and Federal Tax Administration.

TOP 100

Slow Motion

Settling from the impact of three big deals in 2023, questions surrounding the imminency of c-store industry M&A for the remainder of 2024 swirl

By Melissa Kress & Danielle Romano

2023 SAW THREE MERGER-AND-ACQUISITION (M&A) deals that had notable impacts on the U.S. convenience store industry in terms of size and scope of individual companies.

The first was Houston-based bp’s pickup of Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America Inc. (TA) for $1.3 billion. The deal added 280-plus locations to bp’s network, complementing its existing off-highway convenience and mobility business.

The second was Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Majors Management Inc.’s purchase of roughly 200 MAPCO Express sites from a subsidiary of COPEC, a South America-based retail company. The two-part sale of MAPCO saw Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. take 112 of the convenience and fuel sites, with the remaining locations from MAPCO’s 300-plus-store network going to Majors Management.

The third was Salt Lake City-based Maverik — Adventure's First Stop’s acquisition of Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go LC. The purchase added 400-plus convenience stores to Maverik’s network, more than doubling the retailer’s store count.

Because of these three deals, the 2024 Convenience Store News

Top 100 ranking looks a little different compared to last year, as bp moved up the ranks to No. 5 (from No. 31 in 2023), Maverik jumped to No. 11 (from No. 16 last year), and Majors Management climbed to No. 19 (from No. 46 in 2023).

Still, with the exception of bp cracking into the top five, the companies atop this year’s list are a carbon copy of last year. Capturing the top five spots on the 2024 Top 100 are Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. with 12,577 stores; Couche-Tard with 5,851 stores; Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s General Stores Inc. with 2,663 stores; Westborough, Mass.based EG America with 1,568 stores; and bp with 1,540 stores, according to TDLinx, which partners with CSNews for this annual report.

Rounding out the top 10 are Richmond, Va.-based GPM Investments LLC (1,515 stores); El Dorado, Ark.-based Murphy USA Inc. (1,133 stores); Tulsa, Okla.-based QuikTrip Corp. (1,060 stores); Media,

Pa.-based Wawa Inc. (1,050 stores); and La Crosse,

Kwik Trip Inc. (858 stores).

As a whole, the top 10 account for a combined

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locations, or 19.56% (up from 18.65% a year ago). The top three chains account for a combined 21,091 stores, or 13.83% of the industry total (down slightly

TA are not totally out of the question, this year's acquisitions are most likely to come from smaller brands getting out of the business, particularly familyoperated companies that lack succession plans, according to Dennis Ruben, executive managing director of NRC Realty & Capital Advisors LLC.

"What we're seeing now is the small to midsize guys that are realizing they can't compete with the big guys," he said. "There's a smaller universe of operators now, and there's just been a ton of consolidation. I think it'll continue, but I think it's going to be more like the 10- to 50-store guys."

The sale of smaller operators is an attractive

1

2

3

offer to larger chains. Typically, when purchasing chains of approximately 15 or more locations, there will be smaller-footprint stores involved, especially in urban locations. Although these smaller-footprint locations are

not the preference for larger chains in

explained John C. Flippen Jr., managing

“The purchase of smaller chains by much larger operators allows for better pricing of both in-store items and fuel at the wholesale level, along with the spreading out of corporate expenses to a larger number of units,” Flippen pointed out.

The way American Business Brokers & Advisors President Terry Monroe sees it, retailers’ desire for speed and simplicity means more acquisitions are likely on the horizon.

"Organic growth takes more time and involves more risk than buying an existing business with a proven cashflow," Monroe told CSNews, adding that organic growth is also less popular because most of the A-rated locations are already taken.

"The numbers for return on investment are always stronger for acquisitions after you factor in the time it takes to find the right location, get the needed approvals to build, site work, design, then actually build the store and the time it takes for the new build to become cashflow positive," he said.

The Attraction of Organic Growth

On the other hand, with rising interest rates and political uncertainty this election year, acquisition activities should moderate for the rest of 2024, predicts Mark Radosevich, president of PetroActive Real Estate Services LLC.

“Midsized chain availability has diminished, leaving primarily larger acquisition targets. Oil companies seem the best candidates for these larger deals given their need to maintain brand relevance against the big unbranded store operators,” he said.

Taking into account the limitations on expansion due to funding costs, return-oninvestment hurdles and the restrictive position of the current administration, Radosevich noted that organic growth can be beneficial for operators wanting to make their stores more attractive to customers.

“[With organic growth,] sites can be designed to meet modern standards, to better ensure long-term competitiveness in the event of market intrusion by sophisticated chain operators,” he noted.

Earlier this year, ARKO Corp. — which has closed on 26 acquisitions over the last decade — announced that as the company moves through 2024, its focus will be to further push, refine and improve performance across its existing network.

The Richmond, Va.-based parent company of Top 100 climber GPM Investments plans to harness the potential of additional land

opportunities that were included in previous acquisitions. This will include new-to-industry locations and new formats.

Similarly, CrossAmerica Partners LP, which sits at No. 25 on this year’s Top 100, is staying focused on optimizing its portfolio to create long-term value for its unitholders, according to President and CEO Charles Nifong. The partnership’s approach is to convert certain controlled sites from existing classes of trade to companyoperated retail or commission sites.

“The purchase of smaller chains by much larger operators allows for better pricing of both in-store items and fuel at the wholesale level, along with the spreading out of corporate expenses to a larger number of units.”

—

John C. Flippen Jr., Petroleum Capital & Real Estate LLC

Chains to Watch

Whether their plans are to grow organically or via acquisition, industry experts point to Casey’s and Majors Management as the convenience store chains to watch going forward.

Casey’s continues to expand its store count with complementary geographic growth. Recent acquisitions strengthened the company’s eastern footprint in Kentucky and Tennessee, while the chain has also ventured into Texas, harnessing its footprint in the Southwest.

"Under the management of CEO Darren Rebelez, [Casey’s] reinvented itself to be good at expanding its store count by becoming more aggressive at acquisitions and combined it with the company’s ability to have organic growth, too, which allows them to pick specific locations to build and specific markets to enter with acquisitions and then remodel the stores they acquired to the Casey's model," Monroe explained.

Meanwhile, in its transaction for MAPCO Express, Majors Management picked up roughly 200 c-stores in attractive and desirable markets predominantly in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, as well as the MAPCO My Rewards loyalty program and the MAPCO brand. All these elements combined make MAPCO an attractive brand well positioned for growth, Radosevich said.

“Majors is transitioning from a dealer-supply operational model to a store-operational model because of the MAPCO deal and the established operational capabilities they acquired,” he said. “Given their recognized appetite for growth through acquisition, they seem to be best suited to expand the MAPCO brand once they fully digest what they bought and get their strategic-growth ducks in a row.”

CSN

“Midsized chain availability has diminished, leaving primarily larger acquisition targets. Oil companies seem the best candidates for these larger deals given their need to maintain brand relevance against the big unbranded store operators.”

— Mark Radosevich, PetroActive Real Estate Services LLC

Comings & Goings

THIS YEAR’S TOP 100 WELCOMES SOME NEW NAMES WHILE SAYING GOODBYE TO OTHERS

Three convenience store companies arrived on this year's Top 100 list — S&S Petroleum Inc. (at No. 79t), Byrne Dairy Inc. (No. 91t) and J&H Oil Inc. (No. 94) — just as three others departed following notable merger-and-acquisition activity in 2023.

In what was arguably one of the most-talked about deals of the year, Salt Lake City-based Maverik —Adventure's First Stop acquired Kum & Go LC in August. The addition of more than 400 convenience stores boosted Maverik up the ranks. However, the transaction marked Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go's exit from the convenience channel. Kum & Go ranked No. 17 on the 2023 Top 100.

COPEC Inc., the former parent company of MAPCO Express and a leading South Americabased retail company, also took the exit this year after holding the No. 21 spot last year. In November, a subsidiary of COPEC sold the 300-plusstore MAPCO portfolio to two buyers, Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. and Lawrenceville, Ga.-based Majors Management Inc.

One other name missing from this year’s Top 100 is TravelCenters of America Inc. (TA), which sat at No. 27 on the 2023 ranking. As a result of bp's $1.3 billion acquisition of the chain in spring 2023, TA dropped from the list as a standalone company.

Looking ahead, at least two companies may be making their last appearances on the Top 100.

Cal's Convenience Inc., based in Frisco, Texas, captured the No. 33 spot this year. However, shortly after the rankings were compiled in March 2024, the company's Stripes convenience stores were acquired by Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. The $950 million transaction closed in April.

While Cal's disappearance from the Top 100 is all but guaranteed, the future of No. 70 SQRL remains up in the air. After experiencing a quick growth spurt in late 2023, reports have surfaced that the Little Rock, Ark.-based company is selling o assets in the face of a financial crunch.

WARNING: Cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth and throat, even if you do not inhale.

152,396 45,979 30.17%

Total Number of Stores in the Convenience Store Industry

29,815 13.83%

Number of Stores Operated by the Top 10 Chains

Number of Stores Operated by the Top 100 Chains

Percentage of Stores Operated by the Top 100 Chains

19.56% 21,091

Percentage

Stores

Number of Stores Operated by the Top 3 Chains

DOLLAR STORES PRIVATE LABEL EXPANSION

Differentiation is a key driver as retailers in the segment develop new products to boost own brand assortments.

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DOLLAR STORES

PRIVATE LABEL EXPANSION

DIFFERENTIATION IS A KEY DRIVER AS RETAILERS IN THE SEGMENT DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS TO BOOST THEIR OWN-BRAND ASSORTMENTS.

By Greg Sleter

At a time when American consumers are looking to save money when they shop, the store closures affecting Family Dollar and 99 Cents Only came as a surprise to some.

Despite this news, the retail industry as a whole remains bullish on the channel. Playing an ever-growing role within the aisles of dollar stores are private label products. Leading retailers in the channel have grown their respective assortments in recent years by developing items that are something other than name-brand equivalents. This

Dollar

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leading discount retailers have grown their respective own-brand assortments in recent years by developing items that are something other than namebrand equivalents.

• Challenges facing discounters include keeping store shelves stocked with items priced at or near $1, and competition from the likes of Walmart and ALDI.

• Grocery is a potential growth area for private label assortments at discount stores.

continued effort is not only providing highvalue items to consumers, but also offering points of differentiation for each retailer.

For example, when Dollar General launched its proprietary Clover Valley line nearly 30 years ago, it did so intending to carry products that would be equivalent to name-brand items currently available. But as has been seen with many retailers in recent years, the mindset of the dollar store’s merchandise team evolved.

General recently expanded its Clover Valley assortment to include various grocery items

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“Our customers started telling us they wanted variety and innovation, not only me-too products,” says Jackie Li, SVP of private brands and global sourcing at Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based Dollar General. “We then started developing products that were equal to or better than the national brands.”

Value Proposition

New product development has also been key to private label growth at Dollar Tree-owned Family Dollar. At the end of 2023, Rick Dreiling, chairman and CEO of Chesapeake, Va.-based Dollar Tree, reported that private label penetration rates at Family Dollar had reached 14%, and that the retailer was on target to hit its penetration rate goal of 20% by 2026. This was despite the fact that Family Dollar was in the midst of shrinking its store count by 600 by the midway point of 2024.

“We believe that as the customer is looking for greater value, they have more options within our private brands,” said Dollar Tree CFO Jeff Davis during the company’s fourth-quarter conference call. “It’s an opportunity for us to improve our margins. And, to the extent that there is sort of price deflation, there’s an opportunity to provide even more value as we think about how we sort that particular product line.”

The shedding of stores by Family Dollar, along with the closure of 99 Cents Only, which in April revealed that it was going out of business and closing its 371 stores across four states, has done little to temper the overall positive outlook that retail analysts have regarding the distribution channel.

“We do not view the planned closure of 99 Cents Only and a tranche of stores by Family Dollar as reflective of the overall state of the dollar and discount store sector,” notes Sujeet Naik, an analyst with New York-based Coresight Research. “We remain bullish on

the market-share prospects for high-quality and/or well-positioned discount formats over the longer term.”

He observes that the start of the 2020s was characterized by high inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty, which prompted a shift in consumer shopping habits and made consumers more valueoriented. As a result, Naik expects the movement toward greater frugality to be a structural trend that will outlast short-term economic disruptions and boost discount sales through the rest of this decade.

Challenges for Discounters

While an economy that has a larger number of price-sensitive consumers would seem to favor dollar stores and the value proposition they offer, there are challenges facing these retailers. One such challenge is keeping store shelves stocked with items that are priced at or near the magic $1 threshold. Not meeting or coming close to this key price point could make these retailers less attractive to shoppers looking for products at this price level.

Competition from the likes of Walmart and ALDI is another hurdle facing dollar store retailers. Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart’s private label assortment is growing with the launch of its bettergoods assortment, which offers 300 items across a host of categories, with most priced at less than $5. ALDI will also be a bigger presence going forward as the Batavia, Ill.-based discount grocer moves forward with plans to open 800 stores in the United States by 2028.

“Walmart and ALDI have gotten much better at offering lower prices on a variety of goods,” says Naik. “This makes dollar stores have to work harder to stand out.”

Time to Grow

Dollar General’s Li notes that ever-changing economic conditions

One of the many ways Dollar General differentiates itself is our focus on value. We want to make our customers happy by meeting and exceeding expectations. We made significant enhancements to our private brands in 2023, and we know how important these value offerings are for our customers.

—Jackie Li, Dollar General

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We believe that as the customer is looking for greater value, they have more options within our private brands. And, to the extent that there is sort of price deflation, there’s an opportunity to provide even more value as we think about how we sort that particular product line.

—Je Davis, Dollar Tree

have created growth opportunities for the value retailer and store brands overall. As a result, the continued development of private label assortments could be the key to dollar stores’ efforts to separate themselves from other retailers while also offering shoppers highvalue products.

“One of the many ways Dollar General differentiates itself is our focus on value,” he asserts. “We want to make our customers happy by meeting and exceeding expectations. We made significant enhancements to our private brands in 2023, and we know how important these value offerings are for our customers. We believe these products will further differentiate Dollar General in the marketplace as we look to provide quality products that are customer-centric, on-trend, national-brand or better, and stretch our shoppers’ dollars even further.”

The ongoing effort to expand its private label assortment in recent years is highlighted by the launch of the reformulated and rebranded Nature’s Menu assortment of dog and cat food in 2022.

Responding to consumers seeking affordable, high-quality pet food, the line was revamped to include dry-food options made with natural ingredients such as real beef, lamb and cage-free chicken. The wet-food assortment was updated with added vitamins and minerals, and made with real meat, poultry or fish.

Also in 2022, the retailer debuted its OhGood! private label nutritional supplement line. The assortment of gummy vitamins is non-GMO and gluten-free, with select vegetarian or vegan options. Items in the line have retail prices between $5 and $7.

A year later, Dollar General launched the aforementioned Clover Valley private label assortment of more than 100 new items, including sauces, condiments, entrées, sides and snacks.

With continued expansion of private label assortments a focus for dollar stores, industry experts contend that there’s more these retailers can do to expand their respective customer bases. Grocery is one area of potential growth.

“Food and grocery essentials generally carry lower margins but are fast-moving goods and have higher sales densities than general merchandise products,” says Coresight’s Naik. “The increase in shopping frequency will provide the opportunity to drive incremental sales across all categories, including higher-margin discretionary products.”

Dollar stores have upgraded their private label assortments to give shoppers unique products at a value.

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INNOVATION DRIVING CONSUMER INTEREST IN FROZEN FOODS

By Greg Sleter

One in five consumers who purchase frozen food items usually buy a store-brand product, and that figure is growing, according to “The Power of Frozen 2023” report from the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and FMI – The Food Industry Association.

The big factor turning the eyes of consumers toward private label products, unsurprisingly, is price. While private label and nationalbrand frozen products each saw unit share erosion in 2023 — down 3% for private label and down 5.4% for national brands — both segments saw dollar sales grow 7.7% during the prior year.

Also notable is the rather weak brand loyalty that consumers have within frozen food despite the category’s having some long-standing national brands. The AFFI report found that 20% of consumers usually purchase private label frozen food products, while 16% said that they prefer national brands. Nearly four in 10 said that brand preference varies by item, and 26% had no brand preference.

While the overall lack of consumer brand loyalty would seem to allow retailers to expand their frozen selections of private label products, the continued desire of consumers to seek out products that fit their needs is beneficial to overall sales of frozen products.

“I think this is a case where private brands and national brands can win together,” says Mary Emma Young, VP of communications at Arlington, Va.-based AFFI. “Consumers are looking to experiment and will be in the frozen food aisles experimenting and willing to try new products.”

While brand loyalty is limited across the board in frozen food, the product category continues to see an evolution in how consumers view what has long been a core category in the grocery world. Young notes that some shoppers are eating frozen food products daily, while others are engaging with the category a couple of times a week.

The alpha users of frozen foods are providing a blueprint for

FROM PREMIUM ITEMS TO HEALTHIER PRODUCTS, RETAILERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE STORE BRANDS TO CAPTURE ADDITIONAL SALES.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• While brand loyalty is limited across the board in frozen food, the product category continues to see an evolution in how consumers view it.

• Private label is growing across a host of frozen food segments.

• Store brands are able not only to o er products with enhanced flavor profiles, but also to provide shoppers with novel product assortments.

growth, according to Young, as shoppers in this group are turning to frozen food as solutions for planned occasions, while others are recognizing the choices they now have to support daily meal needs.

“I think many folks looked at frozen food as offering the benefit of an easy meal solution,” she observes. “But it’s also these core consumers who are recognizing and planning meals around frozen, frozen ingredients and frozen meals, which I think is an interesting buying habit that we’re seeing.”

Bill Bradshaw, VP of sales at Arlington Heights, Ill.-based Federated Foods, is seeing private label growth in frozen foods across a host of product segments. Frozen meat, poultry, seafood, frozen breakfast selections, and dinners/entrées are all showing strong performance, with each outpacing national brands.

Additionally, he notes that private label products in frozen plain vegetables, potatoes, onions and frozen bread dough are each performing well.

“Consumers continue to look for ways to stretch their household budgets due to higher food prices,” he says. “One way this can be accomplished is with meals prepared at home. The strong performances of the categories mentioned above are evidence that con-

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sumers are turning to private label options to prepare satisfying homecooked meals while saving money.”

Convenience Meets Value

According to Chelsey Capps, director of thought leadership at Stamford, Conn.-based Daymon, continued innovation within the frozen food segment is having a significant impact on how consumers view a category that has long been best known for its assortment of vegetables, pizza and French fries.

More recently, some retailers have used the increased focus on frozen food to add premium product assortments. Notably, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash recently launched its Finest Reserve private label offering, which includes, among other products, a line of upscale frozen pizza made in Italy.

Additionally, Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. earlier this year launched its Signature SELECT Mix & Match assortment. Shoppers can choose from a selection of frozen entrées, sides and veggies and cook them together in a standard oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 35 minutes. Product prices range from $7.99 (veggies) to $12.99 (entrees).

With this type of innovation, there has also been an evolution in the conversation about price. While consumers remain cognizant about the price of items and some are turning to private label products to save money, more shoppers today are factoring in the overall value of each product into their purchase decisions.

“There is a mindset among consumers on the product’s overall value, simply because they last longer in the freezer than similar products that can spoil in your refrigerator or on the counter,” says Capps. “We’re seeing more consumers turn to frozen products as a solution to save money.”

There’s also a growing confluence of the convenience frozen food offers with the high perceived value that products in the category offer. Capps notes that retailers need to maintain a product assortment that provides solutions for those in one-person households to larger families that need larger pack sizes.

Expanding assortments of frozen food are offering families new meal solutions.

“I think across the board, we’re seeing a variety of things happening by way of pack size simply because of inflation,” observes Capps. “It’s really important for retailers to create custom strategies for their private-brand programs. For some, it would behoove them to go after some of these larger pack sizes. This could prevent a larger family going from one store to another store, simply because one store doesn’t have larger-sized items that offer a greater value.”

A component of the value proposition is reducing food waste, a topic of conversation that has gained momentum because of higher prices and the positive impact that reducing food waste has on the issue of sustainability. AFFI’s Young notes that more consumers today have linked the two issues together and have realized the amount of money that can be saved when purchasing frozen products.

“It allows consumers to stretch their dollar further,” she says. “They are spending less money on food that might otherwise get thrown out.”

“Reducing food waste is top of mind with today’s consumers,” added Federated Foods’ Bradshaw. “Frozen foods help curtail food waste by offering extended shelf life versus perishable alternatives. Another advantage with frozen foods is that they allow you to use only the amount needed per meal occasion.”

Unique Opportunity

:As retailers look to boost sales of frozen food, Capps believes that private label provides a unique opportunity not only to enhance the flavor profile of assortments, but also to give shoppers unique product assortments such as the aforementioned products now offered by SpartanNash and Albertsons through their respective store brands.

“Upwards of 98% of national-brand assortments overlap across retailers,” she says. “Private brands are arguably the strongest strategic lever that retailers can put to drive competitive differentiation and shopper loyalty, and better meet complex consumer needs.”

She points to a recent Daymon survey, in which 92% of consumer respondents said that they trust private-brand products as much as or more than national brands, as an indicator of the opportunity that retailers have to expand their store-brand assortments.

According to Capps, retailers “have permission to innovate beyond their wildest dreams and come up with products that are unique and offer stand-alone opportunities that drive exclusive loyalty.”

ALDI offers shoppers a broad selection of frozen food products.

The “phenomenon” continues. Store brands’ powerful growth in mainstream retail last year, which produced record sales of $236B and broad expansion in other channels, such as convenience and club stores, specialty chains, dollar stores, and online, is showing no signs of slowing down.

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A SUSTAINABILITY EVOLUTION

CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND SYSTEMS ARE ENHANCING RETAILERS’ EFFORTS TO BE MORE ECO-FRIENDLY.

By Greg Sleter

In the retail world, sustainability as a topic of discussion and a way of doing business continues to evolve as retailers of all sizes work to tackle an issue that daily seems to grow in complexity.

While topics such as product packaging often lead the discussion about sustainability, especially among consumers, those inside the business know that the effort is far more than having a box, bottle, or other type of container be recyclable or compostable. What’s clear is that sustainability is now part of every conversation that retailers have about everything, from the first steps of product development to placing items on the shelf.

“I’ve worked with many retailers at this point, and each is on their own step of the maturity journey when it comes to sustainability,” says Christina Lampert, director of growth and innovation at HowGood, a sustainable food-rating company based in Brooklyn, N.Y. “We’re seeing an evolution from talking only about sustainable packaging to putting more of an emphasis on broader retail sustainability goals.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Sustainability is now part of every conversation that retailers have about product development.

• Private label assortments enable retailers to assess product assortments, analyze where the sustainability impact is coming from and innovate to have a positive impact on the environment.

• While managing costs is vital, sustainable products can also help grow sales.

Smart Agriculture

Whole Foods Market, for example, is continuing to double down on the core of its sustainability program, according to Caitlin Leibert, the Austin, Texas-based grocer’s VP of sustainability. She notes that the company is focused on several initiatives, among them making its stores more energy efficient, donating millions

of pounds of food to those in need to reduce food waste, and expanding its support of smart agriculture.

The focus on smart agriculture is a newer development for retailers such as Whole Foods and this issue, observes Leibert, is putting more focus on such things as organic, biodynamic, regenerative, and the way that products are grown and food is sourced.

“We’re an active participant in the food system and it’s our responsibility to understand how the food that is on our shelves is raised and grown,” she says. “Having invested heavily in organic in the early years, I think we’re at a point now where we recognize the challenges that impact climate and nature and how agriculture plays such an important role.”

Leibert notes that recent studies show that between 20% and 30% of greenhouse-gas emissions come from agriculture, which is directly affected by changes to the climate.

“As climate advances and we have more catastrophic weather events, that is impacting the food system as a whole,” she adds. “It’s sort of a circle, as both of those things are impacting each other.”

We’re an active participant in the food system, and it’s our responsibility to understand how the food that is on our shelves is raised and grown. Having invested heavily in organic in the early years, I think we’re at a point now where we recognize the challenges that impact climate and nature and how agriculture plays such an important role.

—Caitlin Leibert, Whole Foods Market

The evolution as it pertains to sustainability at Whole Foods is an example of how a retailer can take control of this issue over time and branch out into new segments related to the topic. HowGood’s Lampert notes that private label assortments enable retailers to assess product assortments, analyze where a majority of the sustainability impact is coming from and innovate in such a way as to have a positive impact on the environment.

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“Private label gives a retailer more control over carefully selecting raw materials and working with product suppliers to understand exactly how and where products are being sourced,” she explains. “This allows them to move so much faster than the national brands.”

The Packaging Piece

Part of the discussion related to sourcing and raw materials includes packaging, and there remain several challenges to improving the containers that hold various products now on retail shelves. Dawn Nowicki, VP of marketing with Lake Forest, Ill.based packaging supplier MRP Solutions, says that the conversation about product packaging is also evolving.

“One of the bigger transitions I’m seeing is telling the whole story around sustainability rather than just focusing on the life cycle of a product,” she notes. “This includes more companies highlighting their efforts related to greenhouse gases and the steps taken to decarbonize.”

One of the big challenges that continues to face product packaging is proper disposal by consumers. While many products are said to be recyclable, only a small percentage of used packaging is recycled.

“Right now, the U.S. is very fragmented,” admits Nowicki. “Europe is ahead of us pretty dramatically, and Canada has also put in some government mandates that are helping drive recycling.”

When working through the many challenges relating to sustainability, keeping an eye on the needs of consumers is a growing factor in the conversation. Younger consumers — Gen Z and Millennials — show a much stronger interest in shopping sustainably than their Generation X and Baby Boomer counterparts.

While a growing number of consumers say that they’re willing to pay more for products that are eco-friendly, how much more money they’re willing to fork over remains a constant question without a clear answer.

Robert Beagan, director of sustainable growth platforms with Sayreville, N.J.based packaging supplier Sabert, says that retailers have to determine what their customers are willing to pay for a product that has the right level of sustainability.

“You can’t not recognize the preferences of consumers,” asserts Beagan. “You’re starting to see more consumers align their purchases with their own sustainability goals. Even though many consumers are willing to pay for more sustainable products, in uncertain economic times that doesn’t always hold true.”

Communication is Key

Leibert says that Whole Foods’ shoppers are more aware and informed about their purchasing decisions, which makes communication about its sustainability efforts to consumers vital.

“We want our customers to feel confident that simply by shopping at Whole Foods, they’re helping support the things that we believe in,” she notes. “Knowing our customers are better informed, we’re doing what we can as a retailer to reduce greenwashing. It’s not good enough to say a product ‘is the best in the world.’ We have to give them more information about the product.”

While managing costs is vital, sustainable products can also help grow sales. Lampert points to research from the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business showing that products marketed as sustainable grow on average twice as fast as conventional products.

“We know that products that are marketed as sustainable have a higher price premium as well,” she says. “Given the competitive price advantage store-brand products have, this is something [retailers] could capitalize on.”

As Whole Foods Market further enhances its sustainability efforts, it’s focused on topics such as smart agriculture.

Taking the Branded Route

C-store operators can realize multiple benefits from partnering with a recognizable brand

By Kathleen Furore

RECENT DATA SHOWS that convenience store operators are putting a greater emphasis on prepared food than ever before, making branded foodservice programs an important consideration for operators looking to expand their prepared food offerings.

“One of the fastest-growing segments is prepared food in the c-store space,” said David Karam, chairman and CEO of Columbus, Ohio-based Sbarro, the pizza-by-the-slice quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand that is now available to convenience stores. “Growth in prepared food was +12% last year for the c-store industry.”

It’s a trend Jim Hughes, vice president of sales at Alexandria, La.-based Krispy Krunchy Chicken, is tracking, too. “For another consecutive year, prepared food was the No. 1 inside sales category for retailers,” he reported. “A recent study from NACS indicates that 26.9% of in-store sales and 37.3% of the margin

are attributed to foodservice offerings.”

Two facts are converging to create an environment ripe for growing the category, according to Karam. The industry is moving away from a reliance on just fuel, and c-stores’ footprint and operating structure create opportunity to build sales beyond the pump.

Why Choose Branded?

There are several benefits c-stores can realize by adding a branded foodservice program.

The biggest advantage overall: A recognizable brand can get customers seeking a quick foodservice fix to stop at your store — and drive incremental sales in the process, Karam said.

“A branded program has done all the work a retailer does not have the time or resources to invest.”

— Jim Hughes, Krispy Krunchy Chicken

Krispy Krunchy Chicken equips its partners to offer fresh-made, hand-breaded chicken.

“Operators have the opportunity to get a return on investment not only on the restaurant itself, but also at the c-store — [things like] fuel revenue, additional in-store sales — from customers drawn there by the branded concept,” he explained. “It offers a way for operators to differentiate themselves, and to gain higher visibility and higher ticket on additional spend.”

Results of Sbarro’s quantitative research conducted in three cities with c-stores with Sbarro foodservice programs show branded concepts’ profit potential: Customers visited the store one more time per week, 84% said they were coming because of the pizza program, and the stores realized $1.12 of additional revenue in-store for every $1 spent at the Sbarro, Karam cited.

Benefits extend beyond the bottom line, too. Among them, the immediate credibility and trust that branded foodservice programs provide, according to Dee Cleveland, director of marketing for Hunt Brothers Pizza, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

“There is an ease of purchase when a consumer is already familiar with a brand,” Cleveland said.

Branded programs also enable smaller stores to tap into the extensive knowledge and resources that larger brands have, said Katie Klaus, senior marketing manager at Beloit, Wis.-based Broaster Co.

“There is an ease of purchase when a consumer is already familiar with a brand.”

“C-stores don’t have to work through menu development, defining food safety practices and procedures, sourcing just the right equipment, or keep up-to-date on trends for LTOs [limited-time offers]. When aligning themselves with an established and reputable branded program, all these pieces should come packaged nicely together in a plug-and-play style format,” explained Klaus.

“A branded program has done all the work a retailer does not have the time or resources to invest,” Krispy Krunchy’s Hughes echoed. “They understand what the customer wants and how to construct a menu that works as hard as possible for the c-stores in which it operates. It

— Dee Cleveland, Hunt Brothers Pizza

has vetted the best equipment, developed the best training programs and invested in building the brand’s relationship with the public. … Perhaps most importantly, better brands generate loyalty, which translates into greater traffic and increased take rates for the program.”

Consistency across multiple locations is another plus, according to Brian Ferdig, sales manager of McCormack Distributing in Le Mars, Iowa, a company that works with Fargo, N.D.’s Petro Serve USA convenience store chain.

“That means consistent product and consistent training for staff, so customers always get the same delicious food,”

Hunt Brothers Pizza can work with c-stores in an area as small as 59 square feet.

Ferdig said, noting that the company “started with a few stores as a test to prove the Genuine Broaster Chicken concept and then rolled it out to over a dozen stores.”

Choosing a Concept

One of the biggest problems c-store operators encounter when entering the foodservice arena is a lack of experience in the space.

“They don’t have a wealth of experience running a QSR, so they don’t have an appreciation of operational execution,” said Sbarro’s Karam. These operators often try multiple concepts in their existing store or across their entire portfolio, believing that will pave a smoother road to success.

“That belies a lack of complexity and leads to poor operational execution,” Karam cautioned. “You have to embrace restaurant operations and ensure that you understand the difference between operating a restaurant and operating a c-store.”

According to branded foodservice experts, focusing on four key areas can help ensure operators are prepared to implement a program that will, in Karam’s words, “maximize the appeal of the concept and draw customers into your c-store.” These four areas are:

1. Costs. “Cost controls are key,” stressed Hughes, who advises asking about the kind of financial commitments required — both investments you’ll have to make before launching the program and as you continue with the concept.

Costs to inquire about include franchise fees, royalties, advertising contributions and new equipment if the program won’t work with the equipment already in your store.

2. Labor. “This is a concern for the industry, and especially for independent retailers, and it can make all the difference in whether or not a program is successful,” Hughes said.

“It offers a way for operators to differentiate themselves, and to gain higher visibility and higher ticket on additional spend.”

— David Karam, Sbarro

Company research found that c-stores realized $1.12 of additional revenue in-store for every $1 spent at the Sbarro.

For example, an operator interested in a chicken program should know if a fulltime person will be needed to support a fresh chicken program or if a freezer-tofryer style option that can be managed by the same person running the register would be better a better option, Broaster’s Klaus said.

3. Space & Infrastructure. Knowing the footprint required to implement the branded foodservice concept you’re considering is key, according to Cleveland, who noted that Hunt Brothers Pizza can work with c-stores in an area as small as 59 square feet so that the stores don’t have to alter their layout to launch the program.

Operators should ask how much space is required to accommodate both the foodservice operation and the store’s pantry items, Hughes pointed out.

Local code, storage and food prep requirements are additional considerations that can make it challenging to set a store that has never offered foodservice up for success, Klaus added.

“The operator has to meet all the local health department codes, like a three-basin sink, for example. They have to have the correct power configurations in the right places, enough cold storage space and counter space for food preparation, she said. “All these infrastructure improvements would require a capital investment in equipment and building upgrades via plumbers and electricians. … A branded program can help operators navigate those requirements.”

4. Training & Support. Although this is the last consideration on the list, it certainly isn’t any less important than those that precede it. The experts stress that a c-store isn’t as likely to succeed with a branded foodservice program that doesn’t offer a training program that includes such things as food preparation and safe handling best practices, as well as follow-up support.

Klaus suggests asking questions like: How long is the training? Is there an extra cost? How often will your representative check in with you?

“You want someone to partner with you who will help you work through issues and celebrate your successes with you,” she added.

Help with marketing is another important aspect of ongoing support, Cleveland stressed. “Especially in the beginning, the c-store will need to spread awareness of this hot food option. This is why forecourt marketing can be so crucial,” she said, noting the

important role vendor-supplied roadside banners and lighted signage like Hunt Brothers provides can play.

Finally, to make sure any branded

foodservice program a convenience store operator is considering offers the kind of support they’ll need, Klaus recommends asking for and contacting references of stores that have run the program for one year, three years and five years. “See how alike or different your business and location is from theirs,” she said. CSN

Petro Serve USA's partnership with Broaster provides consistency across its multiple locations.

Transformation Through Technology

Convenience store retailers discussed their journeys at the 2024 Conexxus Annual Conference

By Melissa Kress

SOME OF THE GREATEST technology minds in the convenience store industry took the stage at the 2024 Conexxus Annual Conference to discuss their companies' transformation journeys — the good and the bad. What was apparent is that there is no one tech roadmap for all.

Almost every convenience store operator is on a technology journey these days, though where they are on their journey and what stops they have mapped out may differ.

At Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz Inc., the company rings up 1.8 million transactions a day, has 26 or more store cameras and 60 connected devices in each store, and more than 500 systems that integrate with each other across the enterprise, including the supply chain, warehouse and store, according to Ryan Uphouse, lead business analyst for the chain.

Providing a high-level view of Sheetz's roadmap — including agenda items in the works and others in the experimentation and exploration phases — he highlighted three general directions:

1. Foundation: Architecture, standards, platform stability and system evaluation

2. Innovation: Store automation, corporate automatics, robotics and artificial intelligence

3. Data-Driven: The cloud, prediction models and master data management

Sheetz currently operates 725 c-stores across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland. The retailer, which was honored as the 2022 Technology Leader of the Year by Convenience Store News, reached the 700-store milestone in September and plans to have 1,000 locations by 2028.

"That growth is definitely more than we typically do, probably double or triple on an annual basis. A lot of what I'm … talking about in the roadmap here is really geared around making sure that we can support that as best as we can," Uphouse said during a panel discussion.

At Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., the global operator of Circle K stores, an "Information Superhighway" powers the Laval, Quebec-based company's journey. As Couche-Tard's Director of Emerging Technologies Christie Loukota explained, this is a proprietary API-based cloud services platform that leverages application service architecture to drive the retailer’s digital experiences around the world.

The Information Superhighway is centered on six principles:

Loop Neighborhood Markets’ Varish Goyal talked about navigating failure with new initiatives at 2024 Conexxus Annual Conference.

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• Adapt and scale to what's next

• Optimize investments

• Modularity drives flexibility

• Real-time everywhere

• Limit vendor lock-ins

• Build a highly efficient and engaged team

"We enable speed to market and innovation and easy integrations through the Information Superhighway, all while creating a unified ecosystem that's consistent," Loukota said, noting that experiences powered by this platform include smart checkout, a global mobile app, a carwash subscription program, Circle K's new global gift card program and electric vehicle charging.

"There's countless experiences that are powered by our Information Superhighway, and the beauty of this is that we can leverage the same APIs to power different experiences," she said. "We can also test something out and if it doesn't work, it's still reusable enough that it's not just throwaway work. We're still going to use those APIs again for a different future experience to come."

For Worcester, Mass.-based Nouria Energy, a family-owned, family-run organization, culture is at the center of its journey. “How we can build the culture that will allow us to be more valuable to our customers?" posed Abhi Patel, director of IT at Nouria.

The company's transformation will be reinforced by three factors, he said. They are:

• The adoption of new technologies: Initiatives include Nouria's new mobile app, supply chain support and streamlining store operations.

• Building a data-driven culture: One of the first steps is to define a data strategy to support enterprise growth and make meaningful decisions backed by the data.

• Acquiring and retaining talent: Based in New England, Nouria competes with the financial and life sciences industries when it comes to talent. Part of its strategy to find the right team members includes partnering with the right recruiting firm and implementing a standardized process to promptly onboard new talent.

"The technology is secondary. The customer is our primary focus," Patel stressed.

Finding What Works & What Doesn’t

During the two-day conference, held April 28 through May 2 in Arlington, Texas, Loop Neighborhood Markets CEO and Conexxus Board of Directors Chair Varish Goyal also talked about navigating failure when trying out new initiatives.

"There's a long list of ones that have failed and, as many of you know in technology, that's actually the easiest thing to find. The hardest decision is to pick away one," he said.

In early January 2020, Fremont, Calif.-based Loop Neighborhood Markets partnered with AiFi to open an autonomous store in Campbell, Calif. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the store was based on AiFi's modular NanoStore template, stocking 150 SKUs. Open 24 hours a day, it featured walk-in/walk-out shopping with instant receipts when customers exited the store.

According to Goyal, the first store "worked beautifully," but when the retailer brought the technology into a live store, it didn’t work because customers had to download an app and register to be able to scan to enter the store. The numerous steps took away from the fast, convenient element of a convenience store experience, he explained.

"For our consumers, that is a nonstarter. They're not going to do that," he said. "They're in a store, they're in our markets for a reason: speed and convenience. They don't want to have to stand in front of a terminal and go through that process."

Additionally, planogram compliance was difficult. Instead of the shelf sensors used at the autonomous store, the live store relied on cameras to detect which items a customer added to their basket. Products were not always in the right spot or supply chain issues led to changes in inventory, which resulted in customers being charged incorrectly — something they did not immediately realize because receipts took roughly an hour to be delivered to them.

"An interesting thing that we learned in the process was a lot of the stuff that we worked on, while it was great on paper, the consumer experience was one that we needed to spend a lot more time and a lot more focus on," Goyal said.

Enabling Connections

No matter the retailer and no matter the goals of the journey, Conexxus Executive Director Gray Taylor said the nonprofit, member-driven technology organization is working to meet the convenience store and retail fueling industry’s evolving needs.

He compared the organization's strategy to a popsicle — the stick stays the same regardless of the flavor. "If we provide the technological backbone, then and with the appropriate connectivity in there, it's up to the retailers to put together the flavors they want to put in that box," he said. "And if we do it really well, it becomes an endless landscape possibility.

“In fact, my objective is that this whole ecosystem should make connecting to another ecosystem a business decision, not a technical decision, if we do it right,” he continued. "Our job at Conexxus is not to stop at the store. Our job at Conexxus is to make sure that with the new digital commerce frontiers, we can connect any other ecosystem out there.” CSN

Addressing Ageism

Nearly eight in 10 women have experienced age-related discrimination in the workplace

By Melissa Kress

ORGANIZATIONS have taken steps to battle discrimination in the workplace. However, employees continue to be treated differently for a variety of reasons — age being one of them.

Women of Influence+, a global organization committed to advancing gender equity in the workplace, fielded an international survey to explore the experiences of more than 1,250 working women from all demographics and industries to determine how their personal and professional lives have been impacted by age-related discrimination.

The study, entitled “Exploring the Impact of Ageism on Women in the Workplace,” found that nearly eight in 10 women (77.8%) have encountered age-related discrimination in their careers.

According to the organization, this underscores ageism as a critical yet often overlooked barrier to professional growth. Ageism often leads to stereotyping and generalizing people based on their chronological age, regardless of their individual capabilities, experiences or personal attributes, and can negatively impact people at all stages of their careers.

“Nearly 80% of women encountering ageism in the workplace is not just a statistic; it’s a clear indication that we are

facing a pervasive and systemic issue,” said Dr. Rumeet Billan, CEO of Women of Influence+. “Our survey sheds light on the hidden barriers many self-identifying women face that not only hinder their career progression, but also impact their confidence and well-being.”

The Negative Effects of Ageism

The survey, which was conducted between Jan. 9 and Feb. 4, 2024, also found that 80.7% of respondents have witnessed women in the workplace being treated differently because of their age and 46.2% say it is an ongoing issue.

The findings also revealed peaks in the initial decade of work and later years, with 40.7% of respondents experiencing age-based discrimination within the first decade of their professional journey and 55.9% encountering ageism after surpassing 21 years in their career.

Survey participants shared that frequently, age is inappropriately correlated with perceived performance and success, and women are disproportionately affected by this bias.

“Women are never the right age. We are either ‘going to get pregnant’ or ‘too old,’” one participant noted. At the same time, respondents observed that older men are often viewed as “distinguished” or “very experienced.”

Overall, 74.8% of survey participants reported experiencing age-based stereotypes and/or assumptions; 50.1% said they were shown a lack of respect from colleagues; and 49% reported unfair treatment in promotion processes.

Additionally, participants experienced significant career impacts due to ageism, with 57.7% reporting impaired

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career progression, 51.1% reporting a lack of sense of belonging at work and 50.9% reporting dissatisfaction with their employer.

The survey further revealed key commonalities in women’s experiences:

• 62.2% reported increased stress as a result of experiencing ageism;

• 61.8% reported second-guessing of their capabilities;

• 59.3% said they overcompensated or worked harder to prove their worth; and

• 55% said they experienced lower selfconfidence as a result of age-based discrimination.

A Call to Action

When asked why ageism exists, participants pointed out that many of today’s workplaces were originally designed by men, for men. “The old boys’ network still exists,” one respondent said. Another added: “It is a carryover from the age-old belief [that] women should not be in the workplace.”

The survey asked respondents if their workplace has policies to address ageism — 43.9% reported “no” while 25.3% were unsure. Only roughly one-fifth of the total participants (21.1%) reported that their workplace does have at least one policy in place.

In light of these staggering numbers,

“Nearly 80% of women encountering ageism in the workplace is not just a statistic; it’s a clear indication that we are facing a pervasive and systemic issue.”

— Dr. Rumeet Billan, Women of Influence+

Women of Influence+ shared steps companies can take to provide workplaces that support all employees and foster equity. According to the organization, there are five actionable recommendations that can lead to real change:

1. Raise awareness and provide training and education.

2. Implement preventative policies and hold people accountable.

3. Develop reciprocal mentorship programs.

4. Focus on competencies over age when recruiting and hiring.

5. Include ageism as part of DEI strategy, initiatives and programs.

“Although ageism has traditionally been overlooked, its impact on women’s personal and professional lives is significant, ultimately influencing broader workplace dynamics. Women are often compelled to leave jobs or accept less senior roles simply because they are perceived as not being the ‘right age,’” the organization said. “In addition, ageism is detrimentally impacting their success. The next step is action — for the sake of this generation and the next.” CSN

THE 2024 CONVENIENCE STORE NEWS TOP WOMEN IN CONVENIENCE PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY:

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Earning Loyalty

Satisfaction with c-store loyalty programs is declining among active members

Customer loyalty is what every convenience store retailer is after, but c-store shoppers say the channel’s current loyalty programs have room for improvement. Overall satisfaction with c-store loyalty programs declined year over year, according to the 2024 Convenience Store News Realities of the Aisle Study, which surveyed 1,500 consumers who shop a c-store at least once a month. The study also uncovered:

Getting Them to Your Site:

45%

of convenience store shoppers say a fuel loyalty program is extremely/very important in their decision where to purchase fuel.

Does the convenience store you shop most often have a loyalty program?

Active participation in convenience store loyalty programs dropped slightly year over year — now comprising 42% of all c-store shoppers surveyed vs. 44% last year.

Satisfaction with the member experience saw a more significant drop. The percentage of enrolled and active members who say they are extremely/very satisfied with their preferred c-store’s loyalty program declined 6 points compared to a year ago, now standing at 68%.

Getting Them Into Your Store:

Loyalty programs are a top element that influences customers’ decision to shop for in-store products on a fuel trip, trailing only customers feeling hungry/thirsty at the time of their fill-up.

Less-than-satisfied loyalty program members feel that:

• The program doesn’t offer enough perks

• The rewards are not valuable to them

• Too many purchases are required to obtain rewards

• Not enough cashiers prompt usage

• The loyalty program mobile app is glitchy and unreliable

O ering loyalty program members personalized deals and promotions could be the way to boost satisfaction and have more shoppers make frequent use of their membership.

Nearly eight in 10 active loyalty program participants say they are at least somewhat comfortable with personalized/targeted ads, while 32% describe themselves as very comfortable.