Nielsen released a list of overall shopping trends hitting the retail market. Among them, the downward trend of consumers shopping less reached a new low in February, with a 4% year-over-year decline in monthly all-outlet shopping trips. (All outlets included: supercenters, club stores, grocery stores, dollar stores, drug and mass merchandisers.) Retailers are focusing more [...]
To promote food safety certification for retail dairy, deli, and bakery department employees, the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) offers a Food Safety Certification Reimbursement Program (FSCRP). The program reimburses IDDBA member retailers for food safety certification test fees (up to the published cost) for dairy, deli, and bakery employees who successfully complete the certification exam. [...]
Master-Bilt, manufacturer of a full line of commercial refrigeration systems has appointed Ross Buel as national/chain accounts manager for foodservice sales, effective March 24. Buel brings a new dimension to Master-Bilt and expects to help further penetrate the Master-Bilt foodservice chain business. Most recently, Buel served as general manager for the foodservice equipment division of [...]
Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz has implemented RedPrairie’s Execution Management solution at its more than 365 stores. Sheetz now has a one source tool to send all actionable communications to the right stores at the appropriate time, with the added ability to escalate issues to corporate management. “With Execution Management, our original intent was to provide our [...]
Chevron Corp. announced that Senator Charles (Chuck) Hagel and John Stumpf have been nominated for election to Chevron’s board of directors. Hagel and Stumpf will be part of the slate of board nominees to be considered for election to Chevron’s board at the company’s annual meeting of stockholders on May 26. If they are elected, [...]
Marfood USA, recently purchased Pemmican Brand Beef Jerky, and today the company is officially launching the new Pemmican Web site by giving away a free bag of Pemmican Beef Jerky for every minute-the entire day. Simply go to www.pemmican.com anytime April 1 to enter for a chance to win. Visitors to the Web site [...]
As all convenience store chains look for innovative ways to drive sales as tobacco and gas margins decline, they might take note from an unlikely teacher—a small town store in Grandy, Minn., whose unique offerings are going to new lengths to meet consumer demands. Though only 1,100 square feet, “The Shack on 65” packs the [...]
For many years ATMs were nothing more than large boxes hiding in the corner of convenience stores across the country. Over the years, though, that strategy has evolved as in-store real estate became more valuable and marketers looked for every edge to attract new customers. As such, retailers these days are faced with three distinct [...]
Americans’ love affair with chocolate will never end. That said, sales of non-chocolate candy and gum are rising steadily, fueled by the economy and the search for innovative, flavorful new products. “Yes, people are right in calling this a strong category,” said Bill Singer, a principal in Singer’s Chevron Inc. in Walla Walla, Wash. “When [...]
Last year was truly a difficult time for tobacco. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) increased tobacco taxes from a “modest” 158% increase on cigarettes up to a hideous 2,000 plus percentage increase on roll your own tobacco and small cigars. (RYO went from $1.10 per pound to $24.68 and small cigars went from [...]
While frozen dispensed beverages are not a huge portion of the typical store’s overall sales, the product is proving to be quite profitable, thanks to a gross margin north of 50%. Although the slush-style drink was a c-store original, other retailers recognized its potential, and today, frozen beverages with a variety of names and logos [...]
Busy consumers continue watching their wallets, but one thing hasn’t changed. They want great tasting meals and snacks—and they want them fast. In spite of today’s economic angst, opportunities abound for providing time-crunched consumers with foods on the run. According to a survey by the National Restaurant Association (NRA), 69% of adults surveyed said purchasing [...]
Keeping the Customers Satisfied John Foley, an independent culinary consultant, said c-stores are a perfect fit for appetizers because of their portability and lower cost. He offered retailers five tips for increasing appetizer, soup and salad sales. 1) Develop a series of appetizers that are not on your regular menu and rotate them as specials [...]
By Ted Thomas, Sun Exit Advisors Most convenience store owners are too busy to think about their exit plan. There comes a time, however, when business owners want to successfully leave their business. Unfortunately, when it comes time for transition, most don’t know how to accomplish that goal. A common mistake is to rush to [...]
More convenience store operators are phasing out their drop safes and replacing them with sophisticated cash management systems that perform a variety of functions more easily and quickly than ever before. One of those is the linking of computer networks for easier access to information throughout the organization. In doing so, cash shrinkage due to [...]