Category Trends
Couche-Tard’s merchandise growth keeps on rolling into fiscal 2027
Alimentation Couche-Tard achieved its fifth consecutive quarter of U.S. same-store merchandise sales growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, with a 1.7% year-over-year increase and 1.6% global network growth. Despite economic headwinds and weak consumer confidence, the company maintained growth momentum through food service innovation and category optimization.
Juul granted marketing approval for second device
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%.
US alcohol consumption remains at all time low
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.
Where SNAP participation has fallen the most
Due to the tightening of federal policies last summer, participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has significantly declined. In April, national participation decreased by nearly 13% year-over-year, with Arizona experiencing the largest drop of over 50%; several southeastern states saw declines exceeding 20%. Only Alaska and Guam recorded increases.
Gopuff expands private label, debuts first-ever seasonal product lineup
Gopuff announced this week the expansion of its private brand portfolio, introducing its first limited-time seasonal product line. The new offerings include baked goods, beverages, and snacks under the Crave Shoppe and Basically brands, available exclusively in the Gopuff mobile app. This move follows a common strategy in the convenience store industry of launching fall flavors in late summer.
4 c-store execs weigh in on cautious consumers
Preliminary data from the University of Michigan shows that consumer confidence fell nearly 8% month-over-month in August to 51, still above second-quarter readings but remaining low. The war in Iran has pushed up fuel prices, compounded by the lingering effects of years of high inflation, prompting some consumers to cut spending, impacting impulse purchases at convenience stores. Executives from four convenience store retailers—Arko, CrossAmerica Partners, Global Partners, and Murphy USA—shared their views on the current economic situation during recent earnings calls.
5 new snacks capitalizing on hot c-stores trends
消费者口味变化迅速，便利店零食区成为趋势风向标。Conagra旗下Slim Jim推出高蛋白奶酪肉条，Angie's Boomchickapop上新芒果哈瓦那爆米花主打“甜辣”风味；Haribo以酸味苏打软糖切入年轻市场；Hippeas推出豌豆蛋白脆；Ghirardelli则将迪拜风格巧克力引入零售。这些新品均针对当前便利店消费者的核心诉求。
FDA grants marketing approval to 4 On! nicotine pouches
The U.S. FDA announced on Tuesday the approval of four On! nicotine pouches from Helix Innovations, a subsidiary of Altria Group. This brings the total number of authorized nicotine pouches to 30, including 10 from Helix and 20 from Swedish Match's Zyn brand. The approval is part of an FDA pilot program aimed at improving the efficiency of nicotine pouch reviews.
Tyson suggests high beef prices face long recovery
Tyson Foods lowered its full-year profit guidance in its latest earnings report and admitted that high beef prices are unlikely to ease in the near term. Due to a shortage of live cattle supply, the company's beef segment posted an operating loss of $138 million, with sales volume down 15.9% and prices up 12.1%. Although the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border brings some expectation of supply improvement, management believes there will be no substantial change before 2027.
Altria Group Expands On! Plus Nicotine Pouch Distribution Network
During its Q2 2026 earnings call, Altria Group announced that its oral nicotine subsidiary, Helix Innovations, has expanded On! Plus nicotine pouches to 120,000 stores nationwide, with first-half shipments up 5.1% year-over-year. The company also plans to add to its product line within the year and address increasingly intense market competition.