As high-volume retailers (HVRs) and other low-price competitors continue to drive down retail profits in the gasoline business, can the convenience store industry survive by simply selling fuel at cost to drive sales of higher-margin in-store products?

In a CSP Daily News Talk Back feature late last week, readers offered their own thoughts on the specter of marketing their highest volume product at a breakeven price. The following is a sampling of the reader feedback.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Starting August 15, area Diamond Shamrock locations will become the unofficial headquarters of the Valero Texas Open--selling tickets, conducting promotions, giving out guidebooks and “generating excitement” about the upcoming event.

One of the biggest events is Pepsi’s Great Golf Giveaway, a promotion in which Diamond Shamrock customers will have a chance to win $250,000. Starting August 15, participating Diamond Shamrock Corner Stores and Stop N Go locations will carry specially marked 12 packs of Pepsi products that include official Great Golf Giveaway game pieces featuring Texas Open defending champion Justin Leonard. By mailing in these game pieces, customers will have a chance to win prizes ranging from golf clubs and golf balls to coupons for Lipton Brisk 12 packs. And if Leonard wins the 2002 Texas Open, one name will be drawn from these game pieces and that person will win the $250,000 grand prize.