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National Retail Solutions (NRS) and its partners hosted a Networking Lunch at Rasoi 2 in Iselin, NJ on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, attracting more than 100 independent retailers and business owners. The event provided an afternoon of practical business ideas and connections with fellow retailers and industry partners. NRS president and CEO Elie Y. Katz emphasized the rarity of such gatherings for store owners who spend their days behind the counter. The lunch continues NRS's series of gatherings for the independent retail community, following the Retailers Networking Meetup earlier this year, with more events planned. Sponsors included Mandel Wholesale, Krauszer’s Food Stores, Renascent Media, TV Asia, and El Especialito.
Consumers are increasingly moderating caffeine intake, driving growth in decaf coffee and alternative energy drinks. Spins data shows decaf beans and grounds sales rose 5.3% and ready-to-drink decaf coffee grew 25.7% over the past year. Brands like Lowkey Coffee and Update are capitalizing on the trend, offering premium decaf options and functional beverages with ingredients like paraxanthine and L-theanine. While unlikely to overtake mainstream caffeine, the rapid growth could unlock new opportunities in the mature energy drink market dominated by Celsius and Monster.
Green Trail Fuels has acquired Littlefield Express, a 25-location convenience store chain, from Littlefield Retail Group. The acquisition includes company-operated convenience stores and travel centers in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Littlefield Express, founded in 2014, also operates car washes at select sites and has restaurant partnerships with McDonald's and Burger King. The Littlefield family will continue to operate its wholesale fuel distribution, petroleum hauling and propane distribution businesses. Green Trail Fuels is a joint venture between HF Sinclair and UPOP Holdings that launched earlier this year.
Murphy USA reported $176 million in Q3 net income, up about 35% year over year, with fuel contribution rising but merchandise contribution falling nearly 3%. The company opened four new Murphy stores in Q3, bringing the first nine months of 2026 total to 15 Murphy sites and one QuickChek; two more have opened since, for a year-to-date total of 18, though it expects 45-50 new locations this year and remains behind pace. CEO Mindy West said the company still expects to hit its goal. Murphy also has more than 100 automated White Castle kiosks in stores, with early results encouraging. Q3 merchandise contribution was $234.5 million, down 2.8% year over year, partly due to discontinuing a nicotine pouch promotion; same-store nicotine contribution fell from about $23,000 to $21,000 per store per month, while non-nicotine contribution stayed flat.
Mickey’s, an Ohio-based convenience retailer with 42 locations, has relaunched its loyalty program on the Patron Points platform, aiming for a stronger, more personalized rewards experience. The company transitioned all stores in under two months and has since enrolled over 25,000 new members, seeing higher spend per trip and a 35% increase in loyalty sales. Personalization is enhanced through participation in Altria Group Distribution Company’s Digital Trade Program at tier 4, offering customized tobacco discounts. CEO Dan Coles acknowledged the challenge of switching loyalty providers. The update follows Mickey’s settlement of a copyright lawsuit with Buc-ee’s over its mascot.
Overall candy sales rose 6.2% across all retailers but fell 0.2% in c-stores, according to Circana. To boost candy sales, c-stores can embrace innovative products in three fast-growing trends: gummies (especially sour), texture mashups, and Swedish candy. Examples include Haribo Balla Bites, Skittles Gummy Crystals, Reese's Pieces with Chocolate Cookie, and Bubs Swedish candy.
Jacksons Food Stores has implemented a cardless fleet payments system from Piston across its 340+ convenience stores. The system replaces physical cards with secure mobile authorization, ties each transaction to a specific driver and vehicle for real-time spending visibility, and integrates with Jacksons' point of sale to prevent fraud. This follows Jacksons' recent loyalty platform revamp and coincides with its ExtraMile joint venture adding third-party delivery at 1,200 locations.
Alimentation Couche-Tard has agreed to acquire 52 retail sites in Canada from Irving Oil for an undisclosed amount. The transaction includes 50 retail sites in Québec and two in Pembroke and Cornwall, Ontario. The Québec locations were part of the Québec Alliance, a partnership between Irving Oil and Couche-Tard established over two decades ago. The deal also includes 18 cardlock sites, 16 in Québec and two in Ontario, with existing Irving Oil fleet customers to be served under a long-term agreement. The agreement follows Couche-Tard's recent move to purchase a controlling interest in Żabka Group. An estimated closing date was not disclosed.
Spinx rolled out THC beverages quietly in fall 2024, generating over $267,000 in the first three months and more than $1.8 million company-wide. With zero marketing hours, the retailer relied on word of mouth and in-store placement. Despite a looming federal ban on Dec. 11, Spinx projects $2.3 million in sales next year if products remain legal. The convenience retail industry saw 74% year-over-year growth in THC beverage sales, according to NielsenIQ, giving c-stores a nearly 25% market share.
Family Express has agreed to acquire Leo's Market & Eatery's six convenience stores with fuel in the Indianapolis and Lafayette areas for an undisclosed amount. Leo's will retain its fuel-less store in McCordsville and supply branded foodservice products to Family Express's roughly 90 Indiana stores. Family Express plans to rebrand the acquired locations but continue selling Leo's kolaches, sandwiches, salads, and other prepared foods, introducing them across its network. The deal supports Family Express's $100 million investment in new store development and allows Leo's to focus on expanding its food program and commissary operations and developing its fuel-less Leo's Eatery concept. The deal is expected to close later this fall.