(Montreal) Sales at Alimentation Couche-Tard's convenience stores in the United States fell short of expectations. Without the decline in cigarette sales, the results would have been stronger, suggests his big boss. That's what President and CEO Brian Hannasch said on a conference call Thursday to discuss first-quarter results. "There are significant headwinds for the tobacco industry, not just for Couche-Tard." The cigarette market is declining due to the decline in the number of smokers and competition from the illicit market. Same-merchandise sales (excluding fuel) increased 2.1% in the United States, compared with a 3.5% pace in the same period last year. Convenience stores in Canada far... [Read more]