At Your Convenience

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Episodes

253

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

“At Your Convenience” is the official podcast of CSP Daily News and CSP magazine. It explores the hottest trends and news in convenience retailing. Once a week, listeners will hear CSP’s editors discuss topics ranging from mergers and acquisitions and foodservice trends to store design and tobacco regulations with convenience-store retailers and other experts from around the industry. “At Your Convenience” also releases special issues, like content from our C-Store Women’s event and Convenience Retailing University conference.

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60 recent

August 20, 20268 min

How AI and data integration will define the future of convenience retail

The convenience-store industry is at a critical inflection point where data infrastructure and artificial intelligence will determine which retailers thrive and which fall behind, according to Thomas Weinandy, economist at Upside. Weinandy shared these insights during a recent episode of CSP 's "At Your Convenience" podcast, recorded live at the Outlook Leadership Conference. The conversation centered on key findings from CSP 's Outlook Report , in which Upside participated as a data partner. One of the most significant shifts Weinandy identified is the rise of cross-shopping behavior: "[It's this] uncommitted customer behavior where consumers are visiting multiple stores, they're involved in many different loyalty programs, they're filling up at multiple gas stations and they're trying to find that value and the loyalty is split across many banners."

August 18, 202613 min

Here’s what it takes to be a convenience-store winner

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Chuck Ulie talks with Suzanne Kramer, vice president of human resources, and Alan King, director of training, both from Rutter’s, about the convenience-store being a finalist in the 2026 CSP Intouch Insight Mystery Shop audit. The three at spoke Aug. 4 at CSP and Informa Connect’s Outlook Leadership event , held in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, the day before Rutter’s was announced as the winner . Rutter’s had a perfect score in the employees section of the revealed audit of the Mystery Shop contest—and the two discuss why people should want to work at Rutter’s and what the company’s strategy is for retaining that perfect score. On the podcast, Kramer and King also talk about what makes a management team work together smoothly and successfully with hourly employees, store interior, restrooms, fountain drinks, the importance of employees wearing the proper clothes, and more. “At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.

August 11, 20266 min

What stood out to CSP editors at Outlook Leadership

Convenience-store retailers, suppliers and more traveled to Rancho Palos Verdes, California, for three days to learn and network at CSP and Informa Connect’s Outlook Leadership event. In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Group Managing Editor Hannah Hammond and CSP Editors Chuck Ulie and Diane Adam sat down at the conference to discuss what they had learned so far. They discuss the ways consumers are behaving amid an uncertain economy, how convenience retail is shifting from speed to emotional connection and which c-store chain won CSP and Intouch Insight’s 2026 Mystery Shop .

August 4, 20269 min

Behind the agenda: A preview of Outlook Leadership 2026

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Group Managing Editor Hannah Hammond talks with Rachel Gignac, conference content manager at Informa, for a preview of the conversations shaping this year’s Outlook Leadership Conference . On this podcast, recorded ahead of the 2026 Outlook Leadership Conference, which takes place Aug. 4-6, the two discuss the themes emerging across the agenda, including the evolving consumer, the practical applications of AI and the leadership strategies convenience retail executives are using to navigate uncertainty. They also highlight key sessions and what attendees can expect from this year’s gathering.

July 30, 202641 min

How 2 c-store cannabis pioneers are elevating the THC beverage segment

In this episode of "At Your Convenience," Melissa Vonder Haar , chair of the CSP C-Store Cannabis Board, sits down with two pioneers of the THC beverage industry: Josie Johnson of 36Lyn Refuel Station in Minneapolis and Angus Rittenhouse, co-founder of Wynk Beverages. Johnson and Rittenhouse share their unique journeys in building the THC beverage category from the ground up—from Wynk's unconventional start with a mobile production facility in a 53-foot tractor trailer to 36Lyn's 35% first-year growth after launching their beverage program. In this conversation, the industry veterans discuss the customer loyalty driving the category, the need for standardized staff training and practical advice for retailers entering the THC beverage space. They also explore the regulatory evolution in Minnesota and what positive federal regulation could look like for the industry. Johnson shares her community-focused approach to vendor selection and customer education, while Rittenhouse offers insights from Wynk's expansion into major retailers like Target and Circle K.

July 28, 202614 min

Brake Time Corner Market exec shares how he’s elevating the c-store chain’s foodservice

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Executive Editor Hannah Hammond talks to Rene Dacosta, vice president for food, beverage and QSR at Brake Time Corner Market (BTCM) . The Houston-based chain of more than 240 convenience stores was featured on the cover of CSP magazine’s July issue . Brake Time Corner Market is No. 35 on CSP’s 2026 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by U.S. store count. BTCM has grown its store count significantly through new builds and acquisitions over the last few years. Now, it’s looking to up its foodservice game with Dacosta’s help. In this podcast, Dacosta shares how he got into the convenience-store industry after working at pizza companies, and what consumers’ impressions are of c-store food.

July 24, 202630 min

THC beverages double sales in convenience stores as category gains momentum

On a recent edition of the “At Your Convenience” podcast, experts discuss how THC beverages are proving to be a strong performer in convenience stores, with GPM Investments doubling sales after adding dedicated coolers in April. Shane Mabry of GPM, which operates 1,100+ stores across 27 states, says the retailer started cautiously in three states two years ago before expanding to 210 stores with 42 SKUs. Koby Licciardo of Nowadays notes that c-stores drive critical trial through cold singles, leading to repeat purchases. The consumer base is surprisingly diverse across age and gender, defying initial expectations. Even premium 750ml bottles at $55 are selling well, signaling category maturity as brands and retailers refine merchandising strategies, he says.

July 21, 202619 min

Hemp-derived THC products face November deadline as convenience stores urged to advocate for regulation

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” Melissa Vonder Haar, managing director of TradeWorks for iSee Store Innovations and chair of CSP’s C-Store Cannabis Board, talks to Diana Eberlein at the inaugural CSP Cannabis Forum. Eberlein is the chair of the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives and chief communications officer for emulsion supplier Vertosa. The two discussed the urgent threat facing hemp-derived THC products due to a Nov. 12 federal deadline that could effectively ban most products on the market. They also emphasized the need for convenience retailers to educate consumers and legislators about the category's legitimacy and the industry's desire for proper regulation. The Cannabis Forum took place March 23-25 in Lombard, Illinois. For more information, visit informaconnect.com/c-store-cannabis-forum/ .

July 16, 202634 min

Hemp Beverages in Chicago: Exploring the Market Potential

In a recent edition of CSP's "At Your Convenience" podcast, our team talked to industry experts Dan Razowsky from R-Marts and Rick Schepp from GTI and Rhythm, discussing the current trends, challenges and opportunities for hemp beverages in the Chicago market. As the hemp beverage market continues to grow in Chicago, the podcast highlights both the challenges and opportunities of this emerging category. Retailers must remain adaptable to changing regulations and consumer preferences while leveraging partnerships to enhance brand visibility. For consumers, the increasing availability of hemp beverages in familiar retail spaces offers a welcome introduction to the world of THC products. Here are the brand assets to share about the campaign to save hemp beverages: https://brandfolder.com/wswa/save-hemp-bevs Link to take action: https://wswa.quorum.us/campaign/SaveHempBevs/

July 14, 202613 min

How c-store chains can maximize their center store

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Diane Adam talks to Matt Van Gilder , vice president of omnichannel at NexChapter . On this podcast, recorded June 24 at the CSP Center Store Forum by Informa , the two discussed digital shelf and other technology strategies c-store retailers can use to drive growth in the center store. They also discussed what trends are reshaping consumer buying behavior, retail media networks and artificial intelligence. Van Gilder also shared different strategies when it comes to digital merchandising.