ANDERSON, Ind. -- Claiming that BP Products North America Inc.’s programs are unnecessarily costing it “thousands of dollars per month,” Ricker Oil Co. has filed a multiple-count lawsuit against its franchisor partner. The case involves 19 of Ricker’s stores, which the company purchased from BP one year ago, and makes numerous claims of contract breaches and Indiana state law violations.

OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Cigarettes’ big three—Altria, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard—are facing aggressive challenges from down trading and segment shifting in the convenience-store channel. The nation’s top three brands—Marlboro, Camel and Newport—are battling to hold onto market position in the convenience channel.

NEW YORK -- As expected, Reynolds American Inc. and Lorillard Tobacco Co. on Tuesday followed Philip Morris’ lead in raising their cigarette prices but to varying degrees.