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Juul Labs announced on Friday that its Juul2 e-cigarette device and accompanying tobacco and menthol-flavored pods have received marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The device, first submitted for application in 2023, features a smartphone app with age-gating capabilities, providing usage insights, device location, and real-time battery information. Company data shows that some Juul2 users have switched from traditional cigarettes, with menthol-flavored users showing the highest conversion rate at up to 49%.
The convenience store industry is leveraging AI tools to optimize SKU planning, shifting from periodic, retrospective assortment decisions to continuous, data-driven ones. Experts from Boston Consulting Group, Bain, and Accenture note that falling technology costs are making these tools accessible to smaller operators, but final decisions still require human judgment. This article analyzes technology selection, financial returns, reliability, and common pitfalls.
Both major US dollar stores, Dollar General and Dollar Tree, beat expectations in the second quarter, driven by consumers' focus on 'value and affordability'.
The college football season begins this week, and the convenience store industry is capitalizing on the momentum. Jacksons Food Stores is the exclusive retailer of Boise State football trading cards for the fifth consecutive year; Buc-ee's has launched co-branded merchandise with Texas A&M University, debuting at 21 locations; and Loop Neighborhood Market has secured a season sponsorship agreement with UC Berkeley, covering 28 NCAA sports programs.
Pak Mail shipping services have made their debut in a convenience store, located at a Shamrock Market in Springfield, Massachusetts. The location provides UPS, FedEx, and USPS services, along with packing, mailbox rental, and printing and copying. Store owner Prince Patel describes this as adding non-traditional conveniences to the convenience store, while franchisee Rohit Teji notes that the lack of convenient postal services in the area was a key driver.
According to the latest Gallup poll, the proportion of U.S. adults who drink alcohol remained at a historic low of 54% in 2026, stabilizing after three consecutive years of decline. The trend of substituting non-alcoholic beverages is notable, with 17% of respondents having used non-alcoholic drinks as replacements for alcoholic ones.
Pilot Company appoints Sheeva Hoders as Vice President of Food Service, succeeding Jamie King. With nearly nine years of company experience, Hoders will be responsible for advancing food service strategies such as Pilot eats.
Par Pacific Holdings announced on Tuesday that it has agreed to sell its 46% non-controlling stake in Laramie Energy, a natural gas exploration and production company in western Colorado. The transaction stems from Laramie's agreement to sell most of its assets to an undisclosed buyer for $485 million. Par Pacific expects to receive approximately $146 million, with the potential for an additional earn-out payment of up to $30 million. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026.
TXB announced on Wednesday the hiring of convenience store industry veteran Nate Brazier as President. Brazier will join TXB after stepping down as President and CEO of Stinker Stores about three months ago, overseeing daily operations and working closely with CEO Kevin Smartt to drive the company's continued expansion in the American Southwest.
Facing fuel supply disruptions and rising costs triggered by the Iran war, as well as the ongoing pressure tariffs and inflation place on consumers and businesses, the convenience store industry in 2026 is undergoing multiple tests. This article raises and analyzes five key issues the industry will closely monitor for the rest of the year, including the transformative impact of 7-Eleven's new CEO Mauricio Leyva, the expansion boundaries of super-regional chains, whether AI technology truly changes operations, the path forward for food programs, and whether consumer confidence can rebound.