54.8% of consumers celebrate Valentine’s Day. Every February customers spend money on candy, flowers, and other holiday related products. With total spending expected to reach $18.2 billion, it is important to make sure your store is stocked and ready for Valentine's Day.

Trying to decide what you should sell in your store can be stressful. Cigarettes and alcohol sales have been a major factor in c-store sales over the last several years. Now with recent changes in government regulations make sure you are aware of what is happening and how it can affect your c-store this coming year.

Throughout the year there are many different events that are specifically intended to benefit the convenience store industry. From food and drink expos, to discussions about new government regulations, there is an event that every c-store owner can benefit from. Look through the list we compiled below to see which events you will want to keep tabs on this year.

To prepare for the Super Bowl, U.S. consumers spend $14.3 billion every year, with 79% of people purchasing only food items[i]. No matter where your c-store is, you will undoubtedly be catering to customers who are coming to stock up on all the most popular game day essentials. This means that you need to make sure you are providing the items that shoppers want the most.

In the past year, numerous apps and different types of software have been developed to help owners take their business to a new level of efficiency. As a hard working c-store owner, you need every piece of technology to save time, money, and keep your business running smoothly. Take a look at our top picks and consider implementing them into your store to help you run a productive and successful business.

The winners of the largest consumer-voted award for product innovation in 2016 have now been announced[i]. Take a look at the innovative products that actually sold last year, new items being introduced this year and those predicted to do well in 2017.

Mastercard and Visa have moved the liability shift for EMV at the fuel pump from October 2017 to October 2020. So what can you do to fight fraud and protect your customers now without EMV technology? The first step in fighting fraud outside of your c-store is understanding how fuel pump fraud occurs and the potential ways to prevent it.

One of the number one customer generators is "word-of-mouth" referrals. As the way that people communicate with one another continues to evolve, we find ourselves a long way away from the days of a true face-to-face recommendation. Now your business' continued success is depending on the conversations of the internet, social media in particular. With 74% of consumers relying on these social media conversations to make their buying decisions, it's no wonder the term "social influencers" came to...

The prepaid cards industry is often overlooked and underestimated by c-store owners. With over $76.7 billion loaded collectively just in 2014, now is the time to consider selling a product to the 10 million Americans without a checking account may be looking for in your store[i].

With 58% of business leaders expecting definite convenience industry growth in 2017[i], it is crucial that owners continue to uphold and enhance their c-store image. This will help you retain old customers, attract new ones, and boost sales in 2017.