BALTIMORE -- Convenience store giant 7-Eleven Inc. is continuing its push to convert most company-owned and operated stores into franchise operations, reported The Baltimore Business Journal. In the Baltimore area, 15 stores remain available to interested franchisees, 7-Eleven officials told the newspaper. That is 16% of the 7-Elevens in the Greater Baltimore region.

ALEXANDRIA, La. -- Tranzon VenueBid and Tranzon Integrity Partners will hold an auction on December 2 in Alexandria, La., for the portfolio sale of 10 convenience stores and gas stations in Alexandria (2), Mangham, Winnsboro, Rayville, Olla, Tioga, Pineville, Harrisonburg, La., and Natchez, Miss.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Once considered a lower-price, lower-quality substitute for name brands, private-label products, or store brands, are now viewed positively by the majority of U.S. consumers, according to a new survey by The Nielsen Co. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of consumers believe store brands are good alternatives to name brands and 62% of consumers report they consider store brands to be as good as name brands, up three points since 2005. Private-label products account for more than $81 billion in the United States, up 10.2% over the past year.