Stewart’s and 7-Eleven Innovate With Beverages

Summer is the prime season for c-store beverage sales, particularly for refreshing options such as bottled water, light beer, energy and iced coffee.

According to Datassential’s 2026 c-store trends report, canned and bottled beverages are impulse purchases for 24% of c-store shoppers, and self-serve cold/frozen beverages are impulse buys for 21%.

Foodservice IP’s “Emerging Beverages in Foodservice” study shows that consumers increasingly view beverages as small indulgences and meal companions, especially during travel, commuting and afternoon snack occasions, noted Tim Powell, managing principal at the company.

Some convenience store retailers are capitalizing on the demand for cold beverages during this time of year. Stewart’s Shops, for instance, now offers its Cold Brew Coffee in half gallons. Stewart’s Cold Brew Coffee is unsweetened, so customers can add a touch of sweetness themselves if they prefer, such as with Stewart’s Half and Half or regular or unsweetened French Vanilla.

Meanwhile, 7-Eleven Inc. is launching 7-Select Soda. The offering is the latest innovation in the 7-Select beverage portfolio, exclusively available at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores nationwide.

Each 20-ounce bottle is $1.99 and features a resealable cap. The lineup includes Cola Classic, Orange Soda and Lemon-Lime Twist.

“7-Select Soda reflects what the 7-Select brand stands for: variety, dependable quality and value,” said Nikki Boyers, VP of private brands, emerging brands & 7 Ventures. “This new offering is the latest example of how 7-Select keeps evolving, introducing new flavors and products that exceed expectations for what convenience should taste like.”

RaceTrac, too, is recognizing consumers’ demand for hydration by allowing teachers to enter a giveaway for an Owala water bottle. Cliff’s Local Market was a sponsor for the 49th Boilermaker race, giving racers a coupon for a free Gatorade.

A refreshing beverage is an easy push during the summer months. Sixty-eight percent of of Americans say it’s easy to drink enough water on a day-to-day basis, yet life still disrupts their routine, according to Liquid I.V.’s “Hydration Vitality Barometer” report. Staying hydrated is important to 96% of women and 97% of men. Making it easy for customers to purchase a beverage is guaranteed to appeal to a population that knows it needs to stay hydrated, with the biggest hurdle for many being lack of convenience.

Offering promotions, highlighting new flavors and brands, and stocking different sizes are sure to boost summer beverages sales. Staying innovative, such as offering half gallons of a popular beverage or expanding proprietary options, can also increase beverage appeal.