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Good morning, readers! The convenience store industry never sleeps, and yesterday was no exception. From leadership shakeups to bold forays into fashion, we’re breaking down the top 5 stories that are made waves in the c-store world on Monday, April 7, 2025. Let’s dive in!

1. Couche-Tard Doubles Down on Food Service with New VP Appointment

Big news from Alimentation Couche-Tard: Gary Brant has been named Vice President of North America Food service and QSRs. With over 9,000 Circle K locations in the U.S. and Canada, Brant’s mission is clear—expand the Fresh Food Fast program and boost value meal sales. Considering that Couche-Tard already moves nearly 465,000 meal deals weekly, this appointment signals their commitment to food service as a growth driver.

What does this mean for c-stores? Expect increased competition in ready-to-eat offerings as Couche-Tard continues to redefine convenience dining. Read more about it here.

2. Tariffs Expected to Raise Grocery and Alcohol Prices

Brace yourselves: new tariffs announced by President Trump could lead to higher prices for key imports like seafood, coffee, beer, and wine. These staples are cornerstones of convenience store shelves, meaning operators might face rising costs—and potentially pass those costs onto customers.

With coffee and alcohol being high-margin items for many c-stores, this development could impact profitability. Now might be the time to explore alternative suppliers or highlight domestic products to mitigate the impact. See more about it here.

3. Jones Soda Expands Its Footprint in C-Stores

Jones Soda is on a roll! The brand just secured placement in 848 new retail locations and continues to expand its Fiesta Jones line into nearly 2,000 convenience stores. Known for its bold flavors and health-conscious appeal, Jones Soda is tapping into consumer demand for functional beverages.

For c-store operators, this trend underscores the growing importance of stocking unique and health-forward drink options to attract younger, health-conscious customers. Check it out.

4. Challenges in Enforcing Generational Smoking Ban

The proposed generational smoking ban under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is causing headaches for convenience store operators. The law would prohibit tobacco sales to anyone born after January 1, 2009—but enforcing it is another story. Retailers cite challenges like limited resources and the lack of a national ID system as major hurdles.

This could be a game-changer for tobacco sales—a key revenue stream for many c-stores. Operators may need to rethink their product mix if enforcement becomes a reality. Read more here.

5. 7-Eleven Ventures into Fashion with Supima Cotton T-Shirts

Yes, you read that right—7-Eleven is now in the fashion game! In South Korea, the brand launched its private-label Supima cotton T-shirts under its “SevenCollect” initiative. This move highlights a growing trend of convenience stores diversifying into non-traditional categories like apparel.

While it may seem unconventional, this strategy aims to attract foot traffic and create new revenue streams in an increasingly competitive market. Could we see similar innovations stateside? Only time will tell! Check out more here.

The Bottom Line

From leadership changes at Couche-Tard to tariffs threatening margins and even c-stores dipping their toes into fashion, today’s news shows how dynamic the convenience store industry truly is. Whether it’s adapting to economic pressures or finding creative ways to stand out, one thing is clear: innovation is key.

What do you think about these developments? Are there any stories here that could impact your business? Let us know in the comments below!

Stay tuned for more insights from The 5 For—your go-to source for all things convenience store-related!