Colliers International, a global real estate services firm, issued its 2010 Retail Trends and Opportunities report showing that retail vacancies will stabilize in many markets this year, but new retail construction has virtually disappeared and lease rates have dropped 25-40% from peak levels. Challenges abound in the retail marketplace, and we’ll witness more retail failures, [...]
C-store chain ampm is introducing a new, great tasting pizza in cheese and pepperoni varieties geared toward its hungry male demographic. The chain boasts that its new foodservice offering is “a whole lot rounder and a lot more manly.” At participating stores, the offering can be purchased for only $1.59 until April 27. And, on [...]
The Georgia state Senate has passed a bill that would allow station owners to charge higher prices for gas the moment an emergency is declared, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The bill comes less than two years after Gulf hurricanes caused a run on gas, as well as price gouging. The Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs [...]
The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported that key manufacturers have already committed to its recently announced 2011 spring trade show in Las Vegas, including Altadis USA, Swisher International, Swedish Match, Republic Tobacco and National Tobacco Co. Additionally, NATO reported that Arango Cigar Company, Carolina Tobacco, Dom Rey Cigar, Inc./Cusano Cigars, Drew Estate, Harold [...]
Kum & Go, L.C. has collected more than 40,000 signatures from customers wanting to control and reduce credit and debit card swipe (or interchange) fees put on customer transactions. The signatures were collected in just one month from all Kum & Go stores as a part of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) [...]
Chevron Corp. is installing 7,700 solar power panels near Bakersfield in California, which is expected to produce 740 kilowatts of electricity, the Los Angeles Times reported. The panels will power the pumps and the pipelines operated at Chevron’s Kern River oil field facility and showcase the latest photovoltaic technologies (converting sunlight to electricity) from seven [...]
San Antonio-based Valero Renewable Fuels is donating more than $40,000 in funds and equipment to 10 local fire departments in Midwestern communities where the company owns ethanol plants, the Boston Herald reported. Valero owns the former VeraSun plant in Aurora, S.D. The San Antonio, Texas-based company will also pay tuition and travel expenses for 20 [...]
Developing an effective exit strategy for candy and reviewing product performance regularly can boost profits in the candy segment. “On a basic level you want to discontinue the slow moving items that rank in the bottom of the category to bring in something new that is going to contribute sales and margins to the category,” [...]
Riley Hospital for Children has named the Riley Hospital Burn Unit in the Simon Family Tower in honor of Speedway SuperAmerica LLC (SSA). The company raised $777,524 for Riley Hospital in 2009, extending their fundraising total for Riley Hospital to $3.2 million since 2003. The Riley Hospital Burn Unit is Indiana’s only pediatric burn center. [...]
The FDA has released its final rules regarding the sale of tobacco. Retailers will need to be in compliance with these rules by June 22, 2010. Today’s action by FDA restricts the sale, distribution and use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, including provisions that: • Prohibits the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to [...]
McDonald’s is vying to become a beverage destination for customers with discount fountain deals this summer, the Wall Street Journal reported. In summers past the QSR chain has offered large sweet tea for only $1, with most of its markets participating in the promotion. This summer, McDonald’s wants to go a step further, selling more [...]
Wilson Farms, which operates 190 c-stores across New York, has launched its paper balloon campaign to benefit Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. The campaign began Thursday, March 11 and will run until April 4. During that time customers can stop into any Erie/Niagara Wilson Farms locations and purchase a paper balloon for $1 with [...]
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the PACT Act (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act) on a vote of 387-25. “A significant amount of work has gone into getting this bill passed by both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House, and I extend a special thank you to all NATO members for their assistance [...]
More than 440 Stripes c-stores throughout Texas are becoming more energy efficient and stand to collect up to $175,000 in rebates under TXU Energy’s Energy Efficiency Rebate Program. The 29-month contract represents an annual load of 155,000 MWh-enough to power 8,600 homes-at more than 440 Stripes stores primarily located in West and South Texas. Under [...]