DALLAS -- 7-Eleven Inc. plans to add more than 50 new stores in Northern California by the end of 2011. After opening an expected seven locations this year, the company plans to add close to 20 more stores next year and nearly 30 in 2011. 7-Eleven also plans to add approximately 15 new stores in the Puget Sound area by the end of 2011, after opening one store in the area in each of the last two years.

ANKENY, Iowa -- Casey's General Stores Inc. has reported 66 cents in basic earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 ended October 31, 2009, compared to 54 cents for the same quarter a year ago. Year to date, basic earnings per share were $1.53 versus $1.11 last year. "Strong margins in all three categories resulted in a 22.9% increase in earnings for the second quarter," said president and CEO Robert J. Myers.

NEW YORK -- Profitability numbers from the major cigarette manufacturers and other statistics point to the continued strength of the tobacco category, despite a slumping economy and a major spike in the federal excise tax (FET) last spring, according to an industry analyst. [To view an OnDemand replay of this Cyber- Conference, please click here (free to retailers and wholesalers; $49 for others).]