- C-store retailer 7-Eleven has agreed to be tougher about its enforcement of age restrictions on who buys tobacco products – requiring picture ID for anyone who appears top be 27 or younger, to keep tobacco signs away from products generally purchased by minors, and to ban tobacco vending machines. The deal covers company-owned stores in 30 states, but the company said that it will ask its franchisees to follow the same rules.
- A Florida judge has ruled that the state can no longer prohibit the direct shipment of alcoholic products from out-of-state wineries, which should open the state to unrestricted shipments of these products – at least until such time as the legislature decides to eliminate both in-state and out-of-state direct shipments.
- The United States Chamber of Commerce Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC) announced that Safeway Inc. has been selected as a finalist for a Corporate Citizenship Award in the category of Corporate Stewardship, Large Business. The award acknowledges businesses and chambers of commerce that have demonstrated ethical leadership and corporate stewardship and have made a difference in their communities.
- C-store retailer Sheetz has opened espresso bars in nine of its stores, featuring touch-screen ordering and trained baristas.
