Beyond the Aisles: Non-Food Retail Winners Every C-Store Should Know in 2026

Every year, CStore Decisions hosts its Hot New Products Contest—an industry-wide showcase where manufacturers submit their newest innovations across snacks, beverages, tobacco, tech, foodservice, and more. A panel of experienced c-store retailers evaluates each entry based on product innovation, packaging, sales potential, and relevance to convenience shoppers. With nearly 150 submissions this year, the contest highlights exactly which products are shaping today’s retail landscape.

While snacks and foodservice grab much of the spotlight, non-food categories continue to play a major role in-store. Whether you’re managing a c-store, liquor store, smoke shop, or multi-format location, these products can help you expand your offering, improve basket size, reach new customer segments, and even modernize your back bar.

Below are the 2025 winners across General Merchandise, Energy Products, Supplements, Tobacco, Nicotine Alternatives, and Accessories—along with insights into how retailers can leverage them for success.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE & HEALTH/BEAUTY: Small Products, Big Convenience

Gold: Cadence OTC LLC — EarlyPT Pregnancy Test

Silver: Haleon — Eroxon

Bronze: McLane Co. — Beau Dacious Dog Treats

These winners highlight the power of everyday essentials in driving incremental sales. Health and beauty items remain high-margin, high-need categories, while pet treats continue to see increased demand among convenience shoppers.

Retailer Insight: General merchandise is a simple way to increase basket size. Pregnancy tests and personal care items drive urgency-driven purchases, while pet treats appeal to shoppers who want quick convenience for their animals.

Store-Level Tip: Place health essentials near the pharmacy card section or adjacent to over-the-counter medications for easy visibility.

MISCELLANEOUS ENERGY PRODUCTS: New Formats for a Category on Fire

Gold: Bangers Snacks Inc. — Bangers Energy Caffeinated Chips

Silver: Wip — Wip Energy Pouch

Bronze: Mojo Energy Pouches — Tropical Punch & Peach Watermelon Energy Pouches (50mg Caffeine)

Energy products are evolving beyond drinks. These innovative formats give retailers new ways to serve customers looking for quick, portable energy boosts.

Retailer Insight: Caffeinated chips and energy pouches open new merchandising opportunities—especially near checkout, snacks, and the cold vault.

Store-Level Tip: Consider a small “Energy Corner” featuring drinks, pouches, shots, and caffeinated snacks for impulse-driven shoppers.

SHOTS, POWDERS & SUPPLEMENTS: Functional Fuel for On-the-Go Lifestyles

Gold: Jubi Brands — Jubi Lions Mane Shot

Silver: Nunu LLC — Nunu 7-Hydroxymitragynine Shots

Bronze: JM Distributors — Bounce Back “Party Recovery”

Functional wellness continues to grow, especially among younger shoppers seeking convenience and performance benefits.

Retailer Insight: Lion’s Mane and functional nootropics remain highly searched terms; these trends make shots a smart addition to energy and wellness sets.

Store-Level Tip: Stock shots near energy drinks or by the counter—small size + high interest = strong add-on potential.

TOBACCO: Innovation Continues to Shape Adult Consumer Preferences

Gold: Sesh — Cappuccino Nicotine Pouch

Silver: Al Capone Cigarillos — Limited Edition Natural Tobacco Leaf Wrap

Silver: Nevcore Innovations — CLEW Nicotine Pouches

Bronze: Swedish Match — White Owl Tips

Bronze: Swedish Match — Game MVP White Russian

The 2025 tobacco winners highlight innovation in flavor profiles, pouch formats, and premium cigarillo wraps—categories that remain essential in liquor stores, c-stores, and smoke shops alike.

Retailer Insight: Nicotine pouches continue to grow rapidly as adult customers shift toward discreet, smokeless alternatives. Premium wraps and cigarillos maintain steady performance thanks to flavor and leaf quality.

Store-Level Tip: Merchandise pouches prominently at the back bar—clear visibility drives conversion among adult shoppers looking for alternatives.

TOBACCO & NICOTINE ALTERNATIVES: Expanded Options for Adult Customers

Gold: Wild Hemp — Wild Hemp Wraps Diamonds

Silver: Mi-Pod Wholesale — Mi-Pod NX

Bronze: Kumi Six — Kumi Six Vape

Alternatives continue to gain momentum as adult customers seek variety across hemp products, vapes, and wraps.

Retailer Insight: These products serve a growing category of shoppers looking for modern, discreet, or plant-based alternatives.

Store-Level Tip: Grouping hemp, vape, and pouch alternatives together can make the selection easier to navigate and improve basket-building opportunities.

LIGHTERS & TOBACCO ACCESSORIES: Everyday Essentials That Always Sell

Gold: BIC — BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter – All Black

Silver: Calico Brands Inc. — Scripto Hybrid Lighter

Bronze: BIC — Maxi Special Edition Cloud 9 Lighter

Lighters remain one of the highest-turning general merchandise items in c-stores, and this year’s winners focus on style, reliability, and collectible appeal.

Retailer Insight: Limited-edition and designer-style lighters encourage repeat visits and impulse buys.

Store-Level Tip: Place lighters at both the front counter and the back bar for maximum visibility.

WHAT THESE NON-FOOD TRENDS MEAN FOR RETAILERS

• Energy diversification is booming. Not everything is a drink anymore.
• Functional wellness grows yearly. Shots & supplements are becoming daily-use items.
• Adult nicotine preferences are shifting. Pouches and wraps continue rising.
• General merchandise quietly boosts margins. Especially health items and pet treats.
• Accessories drive consistent sales. Lighters and complementary products always turn.

FINAL TAKEAWAY FOR C-STORE OPERATORS

Non-food categories may not always get the spotlight, but they play a crucial role in building strong baskets and serving customer needs. From functional shots to premium wraps, innovative pouches, and convenience essentials, these 2025 winners offer retailers new ways to enhance their assortments and connect with diverse shopper segments.

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