Dive Brief:

• Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores have released the company’s first private label line of snacks and candies, a company press release said. 
• The candies – which include gummy bears, gummy worms, assorted fruit slices, French burnt peanuts, peach rings and heart-shaped sour cherries – will sell for $1.69 per bag or two bags for $3.
• The company said distributing its own candy helps keep Love's store aisles stocked more quickly. Additional snacks will be launched in the future.

Dive Insight:

Private labels have become a huge growth opportunity for retailers. A recent report from retail consulting firm Daymon found that 85% of consumers not only trust a private label brand as much as a national brand, they also tend to purchase a private label item on every shopping trip.

While that is translating into major sales for traditional grocers, convenience stores are also seeing sales rise. C-stores sold $53.6 million worth of private label chips in 2016. Last year 7-Eleven launched several of its own private label wines priced from $3.99 to $9.99. Convenience store ampm has been stocking its "Good Stuff" line, which includes water and candy since 2010.

C-stores are also stepping up their food offerings overall, and while stores like Love's aren't a direct threat to grocers, their innovations are worth noting. Earlier this year, 7-Eleven opened a lab store in Dallas to test new products including beer, coffee and ready to eat options. QuickTrip began offering freshly made sandwiches in two Kansas locations. C-stores are also selling more fresh fruits and vegetables than ever before.