In early January Dollar General laid off about 60 corporate-level employees. Buc-ee’s has filed a lawsuit against Super Fuels. And  Pilot Co. is closing its international oil trading business and focusing on its Pilot Flying J travel centers.

Costco workers could go on strike if a new contract is not worked out by the end of the month. LV Petroleum has acquired two TA-branded travel centers from Wilmoth Oil. And Hy-Vee is converting all 79 of its in-store Wahlburgers restaurants back to its own Market Grille brand.

Instacart has signed off on a deal to push its smart Caper Carts into the hands of more independent grocers and convenience-store retailers. bp is cutting more than 5% of its global employees. And Pilot Co. opened its largest store to date.

Time is running out in contract talks between union grocery workers in Colorado and King Soopers. Burt Holmes, the co-founder of the QuikTrip convenience-store chain, has died at age 93. And the Food and Drug Administration authorized 20 Zyn nicotine pouch products.

Save A Lot is getting ready to reopen a store in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood. The Food and Drug Administration published its proposed rule that aims to establish a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes. And Albertsons has announced layoffs in its corporate and division support offices. 

Casey’s General Stores has purchased Wow! Foodmart and its affiliated retail portfolio. Both fresh and frozen seafood experienced noticeable drops in unit sales in December. And Irish convenience retailer Applegreen is selling its gas station business in the United Kingdom and will use the proceeds from the transaction, in part, to invest in its business in the United States.

Consumers are bracing for another year of tough inflation. Kimberly James has joined Amazon to lead the U.S. convenience categories for its cashierless Amazon Go stores. And Family Dollar’s chief merchandising officer will be stepping down.

The California Fuels & Convenience Alliance is working with the Fuel Relief Fund amid the Palisades and Hurst wildfires. The union representing Costco workers says executives at the warehouse retailer “abruptly ended” collective bargaining negotiations. And there are more nonalcohol beverages to choose from this Dry January.

Grocery stores throughout Los Angeles County evacuate as wildfires destroy thousands of structures. Grocery chains and c-stores take a hit with the rise in popularity of GLP-1 drugs. And THC-infused products are now available on DoorDash.

Trader Joe’s announces a dozen new stores. The Biden Administration’s move to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes advances. And Albertsons reports stronger-than-expected earnings in Q3.