In response to the April 1 increase in federal excise taxes, Sheetz Convenience Stores in Maryland are guaranteeing the lowest allowed price on cigarettes in the state. “Maryland sets a state minimum on cigarette prices and if we sold them for less than the state minimum, I’d end up in jail. However, I can promise [...]
Illinois cigarette tax would leap by $1 over two years under a proposal a Senate committee approved today hoping to come up with more money to pay down the state’s big backlog of Medicaid bills. But the Illinois Association of Convenience Stores warned lawmakers that the proposal is a fiscal nightmare that will cause the [...]
Owners and employees of Rhode Island convenience stores are calling on state legislators to reject proposed hikes to the state’s gasoline and cigarette taxes. Dozens of convenience store workers held a rally Tuesday against a proposal to raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by one dollar to $3.46. That would be the highest [...]
Two months after filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy, Appco’s convenience stores are reopening for business. Two stores in Erwin, Tenn. opened the doors to their convenience stores this week, however, the Long John Silver’s and A&W eateries are still closed. “The stores are back to normal operation and have the typical convenience store items for [...]
A coalition of retailers today launched a campaign to lobby Congress to require credit card companies to negotiate with retailers in an effort to lower the “interchange” fee, averaging 2%, which retailers pay on each credit card transaction. The Merchants Payments Coalition launched the campaign this morning during a telephone press conference with representatives of [...]
By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor While there are a host of metropolitan regions across the country where gasoline outlets are posting a per gallon cost for regular grade gasoline above $2, the round number that at one-time had a psychological impact is again proving to be a tough obstacle, as the U.S. average [...]
George H. Green Oil Co., the Fairburn, Ga.-based operator of approximately 50 convenience stores, reached a deal to bring Huddle House to its convenience store offering. Huddle House is a full-service restaurant chain known for its comfortable, family-oriented casual dining experience with a friendly neighborhood feel. The new Fairburn Huddle House boasts a colorful and [...]
A new market research report, “U.S. Convenience Stores Market Outlook to 2013”, recently released by RNCOS said that despite the global economic slowdown, the US convenience store industry is expected to grow to more than $650 billion by 2013 on growing income level and increasing working population in the country. Personal disposable income is one [...]
Gilbarco Veeder-Root will be managing the program to upgrade more than 2,000 dispensers at 270 Sheetz sites with Gilbarco FlexPay Encrypting PIN Pads. The award-winning hardware is Payment Card Industry encrypting PIN pad (PCI EPP) compliant. It provides triple data encryption standard (TDES) encryption of the personal identification numbers (PIN) entered by consumers during debit [...]
They came, they saw, they tasted. Dozens of children ages 8-13 were invited to become junior candy buyers by sampling various candies at ECRM’s Winter Confectionary EPPS event in Dallas. The junior candy buyers were given an inside look at the confection industry from retail buyer attendees that included Jack’s World, Save-a-Lot and Walgreen’s. Retailers [...]
CITGO’s Corpus Christi Refinery was awarded the Texas General Land Office’s (TGLO) 2008 Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act (OSPRA) Award. For the first time, the award has been bestowed on the same company for two consecutive years. The OSPRA Award was established by the TGLO, the oldest state agency in Texas, to recognize organizations [...]
Sweet Leaf Tea Co., the Austin-based maker of organic, all-natural, home-style iced teas, lemonades and other natural beverages, reported that Nestlé Waters North America has made a $15.6 million investment in the beverage company. In addition, the company said Dan Costello, a Nestlé Waters North America executive will relocate to Austin, to become president of [...]
Torrington, Conn. Mayor Ryan Bingham unveiled a new anti-drug initiative for all retail businesses in the city. He has called for all businesses to remove a specific item from their shelves known as a “love rose.” This is a novelty item that consists of a small plastic rose inside of a two or three inch [...]
Mountain Empire Oil Co. (MEOC), based in Johnson City, Tenn., said it reached an agreement to buy 16 Sunoco sites in East Tennessee. The deal would increase MEOC’s store count to approximately 70. “These sites are a great addition to our current network of locations,” said John Kelly, MEOC’s vice president of operations. “I’m also [...]
Kum & Go, operator of more than 400 convenience stores in 12 states, has completed its acquisition of Cody’s Convenience Stores. With this acquisition of 37 stores, Kum & Go is now the largest convenience store operator in southwest Missouri. “The completion of this acquisition represents a significant step for Kum & Go in our [...]