The Food Channel has released its top 10 snack trends, one of its regular trend reports prepared in conjunction with CultureWaves, Mintel International and the International Food Futurists. “These trends are meant to inspire your back-to-school snacking,” said Kay Logsdon, editor-in-chief of The Food Channel. “But they also show how people are eating today, with [...]
The question of eminent domain may sound scary and far fetched, but as a convenience store owner your land could in fact be seized by a municipality. It happens more than you think, said noted attorney William Goldman, who works with landowners facing this threat to ensure they get what they deserve. Goldman, and his [...]
Winning Over CPG Customers According to a new study commissioned by MEI Computer Technology Group Inc., there is an increased emphasis on improving trade promotion effectiveness, as consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers look to bolster the value and return on their trade spend, and capture wallet share from consumers. Despite the current climate, [...]
Increasing profits at the car wash depends on two tasks: drawing new customers and tempting current customers to increase the frequency of their visits. Determining which tactics will best accomplish these feats is where it gets complicated. Tactics that are working for many in the industry include touting loyalty programs, embarking on water-saving initiatives, participating [...]
It had to happen sometime. Energy drinks, arguably the most popular convenience store product in the early-to-middle years of the decade, have begun to slow their sharp rise. Call it a correction, perhaps. A report released last month on the category by research firm Mintel showed that while growth in the category from 2005-2010 was [...]
You wouldn’t think something as simple as coffee could prove to be so complex a phenomenon—or one so indispensable to Americans. Turns out America can see its reflection in a cup of coffee—its economic worries, its desires for variety and small-scale luxury, and even its hopes for a brighter future. All of that swirls together [...]
Small filtered cigarellos represent a real albeit temporary opportunity for convenience stores to rack up sales, so get going before the window of opportunity slams shut. These diminutive cigars have gained strong appeal among smokers laboring to afford cigarettes in the wake of multiple tobacco tax hikes. The price differential between filtered cigars and cigarettes [...]
Donna Sitka knows her way around convenience store foodservice. She is the foodservice manager for the 13 Tiger Tote Food Stores that have foodservice. Until recently that foodservice consisted of a successful fried chicken operation branded Mama’s Kitchen Fried Chicken and a failed Mexican food venture. The Gonzales, Texas chain of 23 stores, operated by [...]
Pizza Trends There are approximately 62,000 pizzerias in the U.S. according to research firm Packaged Facts, with thousands of additional convenience stores and restaurants serving up fresh pizzas every day. And with good reason. Approximately 94% of the U.S. population eats pizza. More than three billion pizzas are sold in the U.S. each year, [...]
At a Glance: Shell’s Fuel Rewards Program In an effort to bring value to its fuel customers and branded marketers, Shell Oil Products U.S., in July, launched its Grocery Rewards program with several of the nation’s largest supermarket brands in markets across the country. Customers earn one fuel point for every dollar spent at [...]
Energy reduction remains an ongoing quest for convenience store operators as they look for ways to cut costs in an effort to improve their bottom lines. Building stores to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards and seeking LEED certification is something more chains are pursuing, including Kum & Go, Kwik Trip and Quick [...]
With the Gulf Oil spill behind it, a new CEO at the helm and the clean up effort underway, BP now must turn its attention to making good on its recovery promises and helping BP branded stations win back customers who may not quickly forget the devastation in the Gulf. Since the spill began, and [...]
In today’s difficult economy, most convenience store owners are turning their focus to profit driving initiatives to give business a boost. When dollars are tight, allotting extra funds to upgrade security equipment might seem a lower priority or even a frivolous expense, but experts note investing in security and surveillance measures can be a retailer’s [...]
White Castle has had the same packaging design for nearly 10 years. “We are trying to align ourselves closer to our restaurants and we’re promoting our association with our restaurants on the back of our new packages”, said Kelly Collins, Marketing Supervisor for White Castle Food Products. The new design includes a picture of a [...]
Hoshizaki America Inc. offers the new hands-free water and ice dispenser, models DT-400-AR and DT-400BAH-OS. The former features a drop-in replacement refrigeration circuit, ease of serviceability for maintaining ice making/dispensing operation and simple disconnects for removal and installation. DT-400BAH-OS features a self-contained space saving design (21w x 22.5d x72.5h with 6-inch legs) and front in [...]