Convenience Stores

Convenience stores could expect increased sales of snacks and beverages.

Chain partners with Nesco in $25.5 million deal.

Texaco's merger with Chevron hangs in the balance.

Analysts once raised red flags warning that online convenience stores and Internet grocers could grow to be the next big threat to brick-and-mortar retailers. A year later, however, it's the online retailers that are scrambling for survival.

The number of debit transactions — both online debit, those made with ATM cards and requiring a personal identification number (PIN), and off-line or "signature" debit, those made by cards bearing a MasterCard or Visa logo not requiring a PIN — has increased dramatically over the last few years.

If you could have any job in the convenience store industry, what would it be?

FFor many convenience store chains, snacking, of either the sweet or salty variety, represents a huge chunk of in-store business. Not to mention the bundling and cross-merchandising opportunities to be had with other products.

For owner Charles Reichenau, the biggest headache of his redesign came when he looked across the street every day. Because he was looking at his competition front and center.