Earlier this year, Hawaii lawmakers proposed a bipartisan bill that would begin to eliminate cigarettes from the entire state over the next several years. This new bill aims to first raise the legal purchasing age for tobacco to 100 years old. That’s right, if approved, this new law would make it illegal for anyone under 100 to buy tobacco products by 2024. This proposed bill is yet another step in the state’s path toward “keeping people healthy and alive in the Aloha State,” says Rep. Cynthia...

We’ve all heard it before, “everything is going online”. For store owners running business that relies on a physical store-front, this retail evolution can seem scary. While the online world still can’t compete with the convenience that c-stores and local groceries provide, it’s still important for store owners to keep up with the ecommerce trend. If you’re wondering how it’s possible to compete with those online giants that seem to be taking over, we’ve got ideas for you.

According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, more than $35 million worth of items is stolen from retailers across the U.S. every day. This amount covers theft of all kinds of products from electronics to clothing, and even groceries. This statistic should be scary for any owner of a business and should be enough reason to make sure you are protecting your business from theft as best as possible. In order to do that you have to know how to spot shoplifting and the steps you...

The first month of the new year is over and February has tiptoed onto our path. February is famously known for being the month of love. For that very reason, many consumers focus their attention on items that may correspond with that emotion. As a convenience store, sweets like chocolate and other forms of candy are always readily available for your customers. However, for the month of February, the Product Spotlight goes to flowers.

It’s that time of the year again. It’s January and half of America’s new year resolution is to start the gym and focus on reducing that waist line by losing a few pounds. It is a hard challenge. Going to the gym is only a part of the weight loss goal. There are other aspects that come into play and as a merchant this is an opportunity you must take advantage of.

Recently there has been much debate on which alcohol and tobacco products should and should not be available to the public and where they can be purchased. While some people believe that the customer should have the right to purchase anything they like as long as they are not against the law, there are groups who are pushing to change the regulations that dictate what is available for purchase and where based on the potential health effects products could have.

Consumers continue to want a healthier, greener, and more organic lifestyle, so their switching up everything from their cars to the water they drink. Consumers still enjoy the bubbly fizz soda offers, but desire the health benefits of water. That’s why we’ve seen a spike in sales for sparkling water. Over the last five years, the sales of sparkling water have grown by 42%. The drink offers the fizz like a soda, but most have little to no added sugar or artificial ingredients that a soda does.

It takes a lot of hard work and long hours to make your dreams come true. C-Store owners everywhere know this to be true. There are different challenges you face everyday, but the success you see makes it all worth while. In a competitive business like the c-store industry, there are always new trends and products customers want. The good thing is, you're not in this alone, there are many c-store owners just like you looking for ways to be successful. When the hard work pays off, be sure to...

Fresh foods are one of the fastest growing trends in retail and grocery. As supermarkets have adapted to consumers’ evolving eating habits by offering more organic and healthier products, convenience stores have also started to make the change. Aside from healthier foods, they want fresh food, food that is prepared just before they purchase it. Selling fresher and more nutritional foods may seem like a challenge at first, but it is a small change that could have payback.