Independent Retailer Blog

Looking for a bakery solution that’s simple, efficient, and delivers on quality? Prairie City Bakery makes it easy to offer café-quality donuts without the extra work.

Consumer demand for premium snacks continues to rise, especially in the meat snack category. In fact, 68% of consumers say they purchase premium snacks, showing that today’s shoppers value quality and indulgent experiences over price alone.

Consumers today are looking for snacks that deliver more than just convenience—they want indulgent flavors, exciting textures, and premium experiences. That trend is especially strong in the convenience channel, where shoppers often make impulse purchases based on taste and novelty.

Snack trends continue to evolve as consumers look for bolder flavors and more exciting textures. Across the snack category, products that deliver both intense flavor and satisfying crunch are seeing strong growth. In fact, bold and crunchy snacks have experienced +18% category growth over the past three years, highlighting the rising demand for snacks that stand out.

Convenience store shoppers rely on stores to carry everyday essentials—and BIC® lighters remain one of the most trusted products in the category. Known for their quality, reliability, and safety, BIC lighters are a staple item that continues to perform well in convenience retail.

For store owners, stocking BIC lighters means offering customers a recognizable brand they already trust while driving consistent repeat purchases.

The non-chocolate candy category is evolving fast, and 2026 is already delivering exciting new innovations that are redefining how consumers experience candy.

Food spoilage is one of the biggest challenges convenience store operators face—especially with fresh and refrigerated items. Green Chile Food Company offers a smart solution for c-stores looking to reduce waste, protect margins, and still deliver bold, craveable flavors customers love.

Morinaga continues to expand its popular Hi-Chew lineup with the new Hi-Chew Blue Raspberry Stick—a bold, eye-catching addition designed to drive impulse purchases and satisfy demand for trending flavors at the candy set.

As football season kicks off this fall, shoppers have a new reason to stock up on their favorite game-day snacks. From September 1 through December 31, 2025, the Craveable Faves! To-Go Sweepstakes is celebrating one of America’s biggest seasonal moments with exciting rewards designed to elevate every tailgate, watch party, and road-trip kickoff.