The family of a convenience store clerk critically injured in an October shooting harshly criticized an Indiana agency's decision to hold a closed-door meeting Wednesday with trade groups on efforts to boost safety at the 24-hour facilities.

The Oct. 21 shooting of a clerk at a north-side Village Pantry came just four months after the convenience-store chain settled allegations by state inspectors that another of its Indianapolis stores failed to establish and maintain “reasonably safe” working conditions.

Anderson-based Ricker Oil Co. is changing the name on the ampm shops, which it acquired in 2008 from a division of oil giant BP, to match the remainder of its 50 Indiana stores.

A convenience-store chain called Turkey Hill Minit Markets is expanding into central Indiana. The chain opened its first Indianapolis store in October and plans to add at least five more by the end of 2011.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. said on Friday that it expects to complete the acquisition of a dozen Indianapolis stores this month. Couche-Tard is the largest independent convenience store operator in North America.

Businesses say the money they must pay to provide customers the convenience to use plastic adds up. For example, Ricker Oil Co. paid a whopping $3.9 million in 2009, according President Jay Ricker.

In high-turnover industry of gas stations and convenience stores, Greenfield-based GasAmerica builds loyalty under the guidance of CEO Stephanie White-Longworth.

Ricker Oil's Oct. 22 suit claims British petroleum giant BP is charging unjustified royalty fees while delivering no boost from its national advertising, its proprietary IT system or its bulk purchase pricing.

Convenience store stalwart Village Pantry has launched a $15 million plan to renovate 146 stores and is eyeing acquisitions that could double the chain's size in three years. The moves come as Village Pantry separates from parent Marsh Supermarkets Inc., a company that for years treated the convenience-store division as a redheaded stepchild.