CosMc’s, we hardly knew ye: Convenience stores just might have one less competitor in the dispensed beverages space. Then again, they may have gained a gigantic competitor. McDonald’s on Friday said it would shutter its stand-alone beverage concept, CosMc’s, just 18 months after opening, according to a report in CSP sister publication Restaurant Business. Five CosMc’s outposts had remained open, following the earlier closure of three Texas shops. But McDonald’s said it would soon introduce beverages “inspired” by the drink concept into hundreds of the burger giant’s restaurants as part of a test. Yet another reason for c-stores to keep stepping up their drink offerings. – Heather Lalley
A c-store without fuel pumps?: Circle K last week opened its first c-store without traditional fuel pumps, only electric vehicle chargers. The store is located in Garda, in northeastern Italy, and features 10 ultra-fast chargers and a 1,000-square-foot convenience store, the Laval, Quebec-based retailer said in a press release. It’s the largest EV charging-only convenience location in Circle K’s network. The retailer now has some 3,000 branded EV chargers in its European network. Not to be overshadowed by its environmentally friendly offering, the Garda store also sells fresh pizza, kebab and “award-winning sausage,” according to the company. Sounds like we need a CSP road trip. – Heather Lalley
Nice to CU: BGF Retail, the operator of CU convenience stores, said it will open its first CU outlet in Hawaii in October as part of its global expansion strategy, The Korea Times reported. The Korean company has established a local subsidiary and signed a master franchise agreement with CU Hawaii LLC, a new entity set up by local firm WKF, The Korea Times said. The United States will be the fourth overseas market for the Korean retailer–it also has c-stores in Mongolia, Malaysia and Kazakhstan. BGF Retail launched its CU brand in 2012, according to its website, and since then it has developed into Korea’s leading convenience-store company with more than 500 stores globally. – Hannah Hammond
Sake Spritz in the cold vault would be cool: Looking to turn heads in your cold vault? Oishii Sake Spritz, the first all-natural, sake-based canned cocktail in the U.S., is coming soon from Miami-based Oishii Sake. “The launch positions Oishii at the intersection of the RTD [ready-to-drink] boom, wellness-forward drinking and sake’s rising relevance as a lifestyle beverage,” the company said. Oishii’s Junmai sake is brewed in the U.S. using Arkansas-grown Titan rice and Blue Ridge Mountains water. The 6% ABV spritz is gluten-free, kosher, low-calorie and sweetened with Monk Fruit In The Raw, “meeting rising consumer demand for clean-label, better-for-you alcohol options,” the company said. Priced at $20 for a four-pack of 12-ounce cans, it will be available in four flavors: Coconut Lemongrass, Lychee Lemon, Mango Yuzu and Watermelon Lime. Shipments will begin in June at select retailers in California, Florida, Georgia and New York. A nationwide rollout is planned for the third quarter. – Chuck Ulie
Mayonnaise overload: Can’t get enough mayonnaise? Maybe you should try chugging it. Lawson, a Japanese convenience store chain based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, launched Nomu mayo, a drinkable mayonnaise. The c-store describes it as a chilled drink that mayo fanatics have long been waiting for. Still in a testing phase, the store is selling the 200-milliliter beverage for approximately $1.30. – Rachel Gignac
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