"Credit-card fees" (21% of the votes) rated second in yesterday's Kraft/CSP Daily News Poll results to the question, "What was the top industry news story [image-nocss] of 2009?" In third place was "the poor economy's effect on the industry" (20%). Other contenders included the federal-excise-tax hike on tobacco products (12%), major oil selling off retail sites (10%) and FDA regulation of tobacco (6%).
But a look at the most-read stories of the year on CSP Daily News tells a slightly different story. There, the top spot went to a January 2009 story speculating possible mergers between ExxonMobil and Shell or Shell and BP, while No. 2 was an exclusive story about Ricker Oil's legal battle with BP over the ampm franchise.
A complete list of the top 10 most-read stories from the year follows, along with links to refresh your memory or catch up if you missed them the first time.
No. 1) More Major Mergers?
Industry analysts speculate over ExxonMobil buying Shell, Shell buying BP
Original run date: Jan. 13, 2009
No. 2) Exclusive: Ricker Oil v. BP
NACS chairman sues franchisor, alleges breach of contract, deception and fraud
Original run date: Oct. 29, 2009
No. 3) Billionaire Backs Bankruptcy Bid
Private equity firm enters industry, changes Crescent Oil name to Sunshine Energy
Original run date: Aug. 24, 2009
No. 4) SCHIP Happens
Legislation raises federal cigarette tax to $1.01 per pack on April 1
Original run date: Feb. 5, 2009
No. 5) A Bold Step
7-Eleven's DePinto stresses need for innovation, lays out company's new strategy
Original run date: Jan. 27, 2009
No. 6) Circle K On the Run
More details, opinions shed light on unusual convenience retail deal; questions remain
Original run date: April 30, 2009
No. 7) Tobacco Tax Turmoil
SCHIP vote leaves retailers reeling over likely sales declines, security issues
Original run date: Feb. 2, 2009
No. 8) 7-Eleven's 'Willful Deception'?
MasterCard calls retailer's credit-card petition "surprising," "highly questionable"
Original run date: Sept. 30, 2009
No. 9) Presidential Challenges
Clinton urges convenience stores to embrace change
Original run date: Oct. 26, 2009
No. 10) DePinto's 'Fascinating Journey'
Stint incognito as 7-Eleven trainee follows Army recruiting adventure
Original run date: Oct. 23, 2009
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