C-Stores Okay Despite Fuel Pricing

So far through 2008, the convenience channel continues to be the volume driver for the industry as case volume is up 1.0% and dollar volume is +2.9% from January 1 through May 17 (let's call this period "ytd"), says Nielsen. The economy is clearly having an impact on the convenience store channel as the middle is continuing to get squeezed as evidenced by growth in the budget segments (+3.4% case volume ytd). Regardless, the craft segments is up 13.9%) while