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Costco's first standalone gas station in the United States is expected to open to the public in Mission Viejo, California, before the end of June. The station covers 17,000 square feet, has 40 fueling positions, and is open only to members. Costco is also building another standalone gas station in Hawaii. If this model succeeds, it could pose broader competitive pressure on the convenience store industry.
Global-flavor foods (including imported products and localized international cuisines) are growing strongly in food retail, with 82% of category growth coming from this segment. If convenience stores combine demographic trends, seasonal occasions, and health attributes, and systematically arrange their cold cases, shelves, and fresh-food areas, they can achieve sustained sales growth.
Casey's General Stores announced on its third-quarter earnings call plans to roll out its chicken wings product line to all of its more than 2,900 stores. Since its pilot launch in Des Moines, Iowa, in January 2025, the product has expanded to over 550 stores and has driven in-store sales growth.
The Iran war has driven US gasoline prices to their largest weekly increase since the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, drawing attention from convenience store and fuel retailers. Analysts note that short-term volatility may benefit fuel distributors, but long-term inflation risks cannot be ignored.
Costco is building a standalone gas station in the Kapālama Kai area of Honolulu, Hawaii, expected to be completed in 2027, featuring 40 fuel pumps. The project is part of Kamehameha Schools' ʻŌlauniu mixed-use development plan, located about one mile from the existing Costco gas station.
Tri Star Energy announced on Wednesday the launch of its private label snack line Daily Favorites, featuring chips, jerky, snack cups, popcorn, and candy bars, which will be sold at its various convenience store brands. This move aims to improve control over ingredients, packaging, and costs, while addressing the growing consumer demand for value.
Loop Neighborhood Market has partnered with Krispy Krunchy Chicken to offer the fried chicken brand's complete hot food menu at 12 California stores, integrated into the Loop app. The collaboration covers multiple cities including San Francisco and Sacramento, representing the latest move by convenience stores to respond to the rising share of food service.
Pilot Company is making a major strategic shift in its food service, introducing a new dual-track dining program called Pilot eats and Pilot eats Express, with plans to expand it to over 900 travel centers nationwide starting in spring 2025. The program is seen as a significant extension of the company's $1 billion 'New Horizons' renovation initiative, marking a transition from simply providing meals to more deeply aligning with driver needs.
BrakeTime Corner Market has entered into a franchise partnership with Little Caesars, with the first two locations set to open in Texas, as part of the company's strategy to strengthen its food service offerings.
Having weathered the stress tests of 2025, the convenience store industry reaches a strategic turning point in technology in 2026. Vontier Chief Product Officer Austin Lieb believes that the era of fragmented devices is ending, and a connected mobility ecosystem becomes the main theme. This article looks ahead to key industry trends over the next year from four dimensions: system integration, multi-energy management, workforce structure changes, and AI implementation.