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1 Proposed Federal Tobacco Tax Could Result in 50% Increase in State Taxes & Retail Prices

While no tax hikes are set in stone, a proposal to increase the federal excise tax for tobacco products could have a dramatic impact at retail. The Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2021 would close tax code loopholes for tobacco products by increasing the federal tax rate on cigarettes, pegging it to inflation, and setting the federal tax rate for all other tobacco products at this same level.

2 Casey’s Reaches $220M Deal to Acquire 40 Pilot C-stores

Casey’s General Stores Inc. is buying 40 Pilot convenience stores from Pilot Corp. in an all-cash transaction for $220 million. The acquisition will extend Casey’s presence in Tennessee and Kentucky with well-established locations.

3 Attorneys General in 24 States Threaten to Sue Over President’s Vaccine Mandate

President Joe Biden is facing opposition from the other side of the aisle over a recent vaccine mandate for private businesses with 100 or more employees. In a Sept. 16 letter, 24 Republican state attorneys general voiced opposition to the requirement, arguing that the mandate misuses its authority in attempting to impose a nationwide health decree through an emergency labor order that has traditionally been directed to address workplace safety.

4 Philip Morris International & Altria Must Stop Selling IQOS in the U.S.

Plans to expand IQOS across the United States are on hold. On Sept. 29, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled Philip Morris International and Altria Group Inc. must stop selling and importing the heat-not-burn tobacco product. The ruling follows a finding that IQOS infringes on two patents by British American Tobacco.

5 Recent M&A Deals Advance Alimentation Couche-Tard’s Growth Plans

In July, the parent company of Circle K inked a definitive agreement to acquire Wilsons Gas Stops and Go! stores in Canada. The purchase of this network of 226 corporate-owned and dealer locations and a fuel terminal will allow Couche-Tard to expand its presence in Atlantic Canada. In addition, Couche-Tard entered into an agreement to acquire 35 sites currently operated under the Porter’s brand, predominantly in Oregon and Washington.

EXPERT VIEWPOINT

The Future of Convenience Stores Is Here

As convenience store operators and customers begin to look toward the future and wonder what the post-COVID customer experience will look like, it is certain the landscape of operational and customer experience has shifted, writes Alex Myrick, vice president of Steritech.

The rise of work-from-home models, stay-in and order delivery, and heightened expectations for fresh food and better hygiene are pushing c-store operators to reevaluate customer service techniques. C-store operators can use these insights to help mitigate the everchanging retail landscape.

Creating a signature fresh food item that consumers gravitate toward provides great opportunities for delivery and takeout customers who will not hesitate to increase their basket size. Higher-margin items will be added to orders for the convenience of delivery, initiated by the desire to have that signature fresh food item.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

How Leadership Can Solve the Labor Crisis

Convenience store operators across the country agree: the most pressing challenge in the industry today is the ability to recruit and retain good employees. To overcome this challenge, it is imperative that leaders step up, according to a recently held Convenience Store News virtual roundtable entitled “The Leadership Imperative.”

The recent labor crunch began before spring 2020, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem, leading to what some experts today have called the hardest labor market in 60 years. To attract and retain talent in this highly competitive time, Sheetz Inc. responded by doubling down on its investments in company culture and its employees.

Rutter’s emphasizes career development, which creates an internal talent pipeline. Offering employees a career path gives them a reason to remain with the company, as 95 percent of Rutter’s current store managers moved up within the organization.

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Truly Holiday Party Pack

During the holiday season when drinkers may reach for wine and spirits, Truly is giving them a reason to reach for hard seltzer this year. Available nationally on Nov. 1, the Truly Holiday Party Pack features four cocktail-inspired flavors of hard seltzer: Cran Orange Sparkler, Pom Ginger Fizz, Holiday Sangria Style, and Spiked Apple Spice. Just like the rest of the Truly lineup, each style in the Holiday Party Pack has a 5 percent ABV, 100 calories, 1 gram of sugar, and is gluten free.