Coffee Connoisseur Alert

Coffee Connoisseur Alert

Following the 2010 introductions of Sumatra Mandheling and Nicaraguan Matagalpa coffees respectively, Quick Chek, which operates more than 120 locations in New Jersey and southern New York, continues its single origin coffee world tour Monday, April 19, with the debut of Costa Rican Tarrazu. A light bodied coffee known for its tangy flavor, enticing aroma [...]

Quick Chek Offers Quick Freeze

Quick Chek Offers Quick Freeze

Quick Chek has announced the results to its “Name it…Claim it” contest, where consumers entered names for the chain’s frozen beverage line during a contest held August and September of 2009. Francis LaMonica of Tinton Falls, N.J., won the contest with her suggested name  ”Quick Freeze,” which nods both to the name of the chain [...]

Economists Offer 2010 Outlook

Economists Offer 2010 Outlook

Economists presented both sides of the picture to retailers at the NACS State of the Industry Summit in Chicago this week. The 2010 NACS State of the Industry Summit marked the 40th anniversary of the State of the Industry survey conducted by NACS. When the survey began, industry sales were recorded at just over  $1 [...]

Consumer Confidence Improving

Consumer Confidence Improving

“Consumers are back in the game,” James Russo, vice president of global consumer insights at Nielsen, assured the crowd of retailers at the NACS State of the Industry Summit in Chicago this week. Russo shared the top consumer behaviors c-store operators should watch for this year, noting that while consumers were on the sidelines in [...]

Inside the Mind of the Shopper

Inside the Mind of the Shopper

At the NACS Summit in Chicago this week, Matt McCourt, director of Convenience / Spirits for SymphonyIRI Group, gave insight into consumer purchasing patterns across multiple channels and how to reach shoppers in a changing environment. “Consumers are thinking about daily living costs. We’re seeing a new conservative shopper driven by affordable indulgences,” McCourt told [...]

Quick Chek Awards Sweepstakes Winners

Quick Chek Awards Sweepstakes Winners

Quick Chek, which operates more than 120 food store locations throughout New Jersey and southern New York, has announced the winners of its third annual Devils Night Out Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes, which celebrate Quick Chek’s famed coffee as the official coffee of the New Jersey Devils, asked customers to submit an essay stating why they [...]

SymphonyIRI Reveals Top New Products

SymphonyIRI Reveals Top New Products

At the NACS State of the Industry Summit in Chicago this week, Matt McCourt, director of Convenience / Spirits for SymphonyIRI Group, spoke on the new products in the c-store channel drawing the most excitement from consumers. Topping the list by Symphony IRI of the top new items in total U.S. c-stores for the 13 [...]

ZUN Energy-Plus Enters Midwest

ZUN Energy-Plus Enters Midwest

Packaged in a patent-protected, retro-style rocket bottle, ZUN, a new Energy-Plus beverage, is continuing its national rollout, entering stores in 11 Midwest states. “Stores are reporting that ZUN is selling fast and selling out within just days of placing,” said Brian Stearns, founder and CEO of ZUN. “The ZUN brand is quickly gaining favor with [...]

NATO Sets Date, Location For Show

NATO Sets Date, Location For Show

In time for its 10th anniversary, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) is launching its inaugural NATO Show at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas next spring. The dates for the first NATO Show are April 12-14, 2011. The NATO show will feature educational seminars for retailers, the NATO Annual Awards Dinner, along with evening [...]

PS Food Mart Surpasses Fundraising Goal

PS Food Mart Surpasses Fundraising Goal

Customers of 29 PS Food Mart stores across south central Michigan and northwest Ohio raised more than $50,000 for local charities in just two weeks in the PS Food Mart “Fight Hunger. Give Hope.” campaign. From March 15-31, PS Food Mart employees encouraged patrons, vendors, and friends to purchase paper hearts, with 100% of the [...]

First E85 Blender Pump Installed In Colorado

First E85 Blender Pump Installed In Colorado

Burlington, Colo.-based Stratton Equity Co-op recently installed the first E85 blender pump in Colorado. Gilbarco Veeder-Root distributor Littlejohn’s Equipment Company, Colorado Corn and Colorado Oil & Public Safety joined Stratton Equity Co-op in hosting a grand opening celebration to announce the new addition.  “We are excited today to be bringing Ethanol into a place in [...]

Kum & Go Expands Redbox Kiosks

Kum & Go Expands Redbox Kiosks

Kum & Go plans to add Redbox DVD rental kiosks to more than 281 Kum & Go convenience stores nationwide this year.  Redbox kiosks are currently installed at 26 Kum & Go stores in Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.  “Redbox has made a positive impact on our stores and has been very popular [...]

Pye Promoted At Just Born Inc.

Pye Promoted At Just Born Inc.

Bethlehem, Pa.-based Just Born Inc., a confectionery manufacturer, has promoted Matthew Pye to vice president of brand development and corporate services. Pye returns to Just Born headquarters from North Carolina where he has been heading up the company’s Southeast Sales Division since 2006.  In his new role, Pye reports to Matthew Petronio, COO and executive [...]

The Search is on for America’s Favorite M&M’s Character

The Search is on for America’s Favorite M&M’s Character

America has always loved M&M’S characters. In fact, according a recent study conducted by E-Poll Market Research1, the M&M’S characters are the most beloved ad spokescharacters in America. For the first time, M&M’S is asking which one America loves most. Through July 15, 2010, fans across the country can vote for their favorite M&M’S character [...]

NACS Releases State of the Industry Report

NACS Releases State of the Industry Report

C-store sales jumped 5% in 2009 despite the economic conditions, reduction in overall consumer spending. Convenience store in-store sales grew 4.9% in 2009, one of the lone bright spots in a battered U.S. economy that saw overall retail sales drop 7%, according to figures released today by NACS. The industry numbers were announced in Chicago [...]