Fifteen years ago, a young physicist named KenOuimet saw a strong correlation between the behaviorsof consumers and atoms. The analogy led him to developsoftware based on mathematics developed in theoretical physics that forecasts human buying behavior and incorporatesnew evidence in real time to update the forecast. Thus was priceoptimization software (POS) born. Today, Ouimet’s software [...]
The average collegestudent has evolved. What was once stereotypedasanacademic pauperliving off nothingmore than pocketchange, ramen noodles and pizza crustshas transformed intosomething more: afast-paced, health-conscious studentlooking to get themost bang out oflimited bucks. Whilemost universitiesoffer extensive campus food programsfor students, many are opting for quickand simple solutions to accommodate students’ lifestyles through campus-operatedconvenience stores. College C-stores: [...]
After a successful test of a proprietary chicken program at 60 stores, the chain is preparing a company-wide rollout. With over 150 stores,Fas Mart and Shore Stop’smarket strategy focuses onspeed, quality and convenience for its customers. Its primary goalis to continuously improve the speed andthe quality of goods it offers consumers. Throughout its growth and [...]
Business success requires decisive action. Get ready, get set, whoa Nelly,hold on a minute. The failureto act decisively, to implement important decisions that are clearly in the best interests of thecompany, is a trend that we’ve noticed alot lately working with marketers around the country. To remain competitive and relevantin today’s tough business environmentrequires marketers [...]
For an iconic neighborhood c-store, Short StopMarket's current owner hasstepped up its foodservice and beverage programs. Situated behinddoors that have guarded the same structure that has stood in Sarasota, Fla. for 50years is a blend of dedicated convenienceand undeniable class. Ali Molavi took over ownership of thesingle Short Stop Market in February 2002,bringing his wife [...]
Steve EwingSuncor Energy USA Steve ewing has spent a solid 20 years working hisway through the convenience industry. As merchandising manager for Suncor Energy USA, Ewing works tocontrol categories, balance profits and grow the business of 44 Phillips 66-branded c-stores, based largely in theDenver area. Together with contract agreements to supply 150Phillips 66 gas stations [...]
CSD’S 2007 FooDService Showprovided outstanding educationalseminars and tradeshow exhibits forhundreds of retailers and suppliersstarving for news and information in one ofthe industry’s most profitable in-store categories. But what’s a good tradeshow withouta ton of great networking opportunities tolearn about the men and women that makethis industry run so smoothly. Here’s a sampling of the insider [...]
Two new blended fuel offerings available in Illinois. Marathon Oil Corp. has completed projects adding biodiesel-blended fuel at its Robinson and Champaign, Ill. terminals. “Marathon is proud to announce that two more locations have been expanded to offer biodiesel storage and distribution,” said Mary Ellen Peters, Marathon’s senior vice president, marketing. “Similar to our existing [...]
Kit Dietz, Dan Moir and John Kelly to highlight July 26 online roundtable. Convenience Store Decisions’ Online Roundtable series continues Thursday, July 26 at 2 p.m., when it presents “Smokeless Tobacco: Significant Growth Opportunity for Convenience Retailers.” Registration for the Webcast, sponsored by United States Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USST) is free. Click here or visit [...]
Company stretches its reach into the West Coast. D&S Car Wash Equipment Co. a provider of automatic and self-service carwash systems, has recently expanded their distribution network with the addition of new distributors in Oregon, California, Texas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Kentucky and West Virginia. New distributors in the Western States include Jones Car Wash [...]
Oil giant faces serious violations tying into 2005 refinery accident. BP Products North America has been fined $92,000 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for one willful and four serious safety violations found during monitoring it conduct at the company’s Texas City plant following a deadly 2005 blast. OSHA cited BP for [...]
Company stretches iced coffee offering into new markets. 7-Eleven Inc. has signed a three-year agreement with Javo Beverage Co. to supply premium coffee beverages, particularly iced coffee beverages. Until now, the program has been available at approximately 500 7-Eleven stores in the Northeast. The companies announced that the beverage program will be next available at [...]
Acquisition from S.R. Flaks includes 13 stores in Colorado. The Cigarette Store Corp. dba Smoker Friendly/Gasamat, a regional tobacco and gasoline retailer out of Boulder, Colo. and the largest shareholder and operating partner of Smoker Friendly Int., has acquired 13 Smoker Friendly stores in southern Colorado from the S. R. Flaks Co. These stores–in addition [...]
Kroger-owned stores reenter tornado-ravaged community. The Kroger Co.-owned Dillons and Kwik Shop have unveiled plans to reopen a grocery store in Greensburg, Kan. as the town rebuilds in the aftermath of a devastating tornado. “The community of Greensburg will rebuild, and we will be there with them during the rebuilding efforts and beyond. We look [...]
Companies under heat for backing different regulations in different countries. Only July 25, senior executives from ExxonMobil and Shell will testify at a Domestic Policy Subcommittee hearing on “hot fuels” and what appears to be a double standard in the way they measure gasoline. Hot fuel as been a controversial subject in the energy industry [...]