Technology
McLane launches digital program for retail customers
McLane Company has launched the McLane360 digital platform, integrating promotional ordering, delivery tracking, and business insights to help convenience store retailers make faster and smarter decisions. The platform debuted last week at the McLane Engage exhibition in Grapevine, Texas, where the company also introduced new foodservice products such as pizza, hot dog rolls, and ready-to-eat meals.
The perfect mix: How c-stores can balance human ideas and AI in SKU planning
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.
Hop Shops adds automated self-checkout
Hop Shops announced the introduction of Mashgin AI-assisted checkout and Glory cash automation technology across its 15 convenience stores, aiming to speed up the checkout process while allowing employees to focus more on customer service.
Wawa expands self-branded EV charging network
Wawa announced a new agreement with Electrify America's white label program to add self-branded EV chargers at eight Pennsylvania stores this year. The chargers will vary in speed and connector types, with some locations also hosting Tesla Superchargers. This move follows Wawa's earlier decision to buy and self-brand Tesla chargers, as the retailer continues to expand its EV charging footprint toward 300 locations.
9 convenience retailers upping their loyalty game
Convenience retailers are intensifying focus on loyalty programs in 2025 as rising prices squeeze consumer budgets. While most shoppers value rewards, fewer than half actively use c-store programs, per Upside data. This article summarizes recent loyalty enhancements and changes covered by C-Store Dive.
Weigel’s deploys AI-native POS platform
Weigel's has partnered with Tote AI to introduce an AI-native POS system across all 90 of its stores. The platform integrates sales, back-office, food service, and intelligent operations, designed to enhance efficiency and support continuous innovation. This move reflects the accelerating trend of AI adoption in the convenience store industry.
EV Charging at C-Stores: 3 Key Numbers From Electric Era's Retail Index
Electric Era's Retail EV Charging Index reveals that convenience and fuel retailers dominate the top 10, with Wawa leading overall. Kwik Trip excels in quality score, while Wawa's network of 275 fast chargers earns high marks. The index evaluates scale, experience, quality and momentum across 50 retailers.