WORCESTER, Mass. — Regional fuel supplier C.K. Smith & Co. Inc. said that its decision to close its retail gas stations was part of a strategy to exit the gasoline business, according to a report by The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. The closure of the 23 Irving Oil-branded locations will not affect the company's heating oil and propane services business in central Massachusetts, the report added.

CARY, N.C. -- The Pantry Inc. announced financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 24, 2009. First-quarter fiscal 2010 results were impacted by a below-average fuel margin, a soft grocery margin and noncash impairment charges. Net loss for the quarter was $26.1 million, or a loss of $1.17 per share, compared to net income of $38.5 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, in first-quarter of fiscal 2009. And the company announced that it would begin phasing out its acquired Petro Express gasoline brand and will replace it with its primary Kangaroo Express brand.

PHOENIX -- To successfully corner the bid on ConocoPhillips' 600-strong network a year and a half ago—a surprising twist in the ongoing saga of the major oil's selloff—Sam Hirbod had to stand above 2,200 other proposals. Speaking before about 250 attendees at CSP's annual Convenience Retailing University conference, Hirbod, president and CEO of Pacific Convenience & Fuels, San Ramon, Calif., described his edge in that successful 2008 acquisition as having an "understanding of what ConocoPhillips needs were" and having the "merits" necessary to secure the deal.