Year in Review: Most-Read Stories of 2016
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The reveal of honorees in the third-annual Convenience Store News Top Women in Convenience awards program garnered the most reader interest this year, and growth of c-store chains through acquisitions and new builds dominated much of the rest of the list.
Readers also showed interest in understanding the core shoppers identified and studied in exclusive research from CSNews.
These are the top 10 most-read CSNews Online stories for 2016, based on website hits:
1. CSNews Reveals 2016 Top Women in Convenience Honorees
More than 60 female managers, directors and executives who work in the convenience store industry were honored.
2. MAPCO Express Trades Hands in $535M Deal
Delek U.S. Holdings Inc. sold the retail network to Compañía de Petróleos de Chile COPEC S.A. in a $535-million deal.
3. Wawa's Secret Weapon in Florida Expansion
During its aggressive move into Florida, Pennsylvania-based Wawa enlisted the help of Esri software.
4. 7-Eleven Parent Company to More Than Double U.S. Footprint
Seven-Eleven Japan Co. expects to more than double its store count in the United States, increasing its current portfolio of 8,500 to 20,000 stores, according to President Kazuki Furuya.
5. RaceTrac Offers Free Drinks With New Rewards App
The Atlanta-based chain promoted its rewards mobile app by giving away a week's worth of free beverages.
6. Amazon to Launch Convenience Stores
The online retail giant made plans to enter the brick-and-mortar world through small stores and curbside pickup sites.
7. Who Is Today's Core Convenience Store Shopper?
In exclusive consumer research on the demographics and shopping behavior of c-store shoppers, Convenience Store News uncovered several insights on who the "core shoppers" are and what keeps them coming back to c-stores again and again.
8. Cracker Barrel Exiting Business With Sale to Couche-Tard
Its 53 sites were located primarily in the Baton Rouge market.
9. Circle K Rolls Out Exclusive Brand of Cigarettes
The retailer added the Traffic cigarette brand to its backbar.
10. Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven Reportedly Among Bidders to Acquire CST Brands
Canada-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ultimately emerged as the buyer.
Stay tuned to CSNews Online for more 2016 Year in Review recaps.