Year in Review: Top Retailer News of 2016

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The biggest retailer news of 2016 largely involved mergers, acquisitions and new-store growth as the convenience store industry had another healthy year.

Readers were also interested in the ongoing legal issues associated with allegations of fraud in Pilot Flying J's fuel rebate program.

These are the top 10 retailer headlines of CSNews Online stories for 2016, based on website hits:

1. MAPCO Express Trades Hands in $535M Deal
Delek U.S. Holdings Inc. sold the retail network to Compañía de Petróleos de Chile COPEC S.A. in a $535 million deal.

2. Wawa's Secret Weapon in Florida Expansion
During its aggressive move into Florida, Pennsylvania-based Wawa enlisted the help of Esri software.

3. 7-Eleven Parent Company to More Than Double U.S. Footprint
Seven-Eleven Japan Co. expects to more than double its store count in the United States, increasing its current portfolio of 8,500 to 20,000 stores, according to President Kazuki Furuya.

4. RaceTrac Offers Free Drinks With New Rewards App
The Atlanta-based chain promoted its Rewards mobile app by giving away a week's worth of free beverages.

5. Amazon to Launch Convenience Stores
The online retail giant made plans to enter the brick-and-mortar world through small stores and curbside pickup sites.

6. Cracker Barrel Exiting Business With Sale to Couche-Tard
Its 53 sites were located primarily in the Baton Rouge market.

7. Circle K Rolls Out Exclusive Brand of Cigarettes
The retailer added the Traffic cigarette brand to its backbar. The consumer products division of U.S. Tobacco Cooperative Inc. Premier Manufacturing of Chesterfield, Mo., is supplying the cigarettes.

8. Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven Reportedly Among Bidders to Acquire CST Brands
Canada-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ultimately emerged as the buyer.

9. Circle K Acquires 62 Stores Across Nine States
The company purchased 62 stores from Las Vegas-based investment firm Gravestone Equities Inc.

10. Eight High-Ranking Pilot Flying J Employees Indicted
Former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood was among eight high-ranking company executives indicted in February.

Stay tuned to CSNews Online for more 2016 Year in Review recaps.