MSA and Paradigm Sample, in partnership with Convenience Store Decisions, are gaining insights into the shopping patterns of today’s c-store customers. By Trish Temmerman, Management Science Associates (MSA). Tough economic times and stiff competition across the supply chain make it even more critical for convenience store operators to have a solid understanding of their customers, [...]
Climbing wholesale gasoline costs are poised to push higher the U.S. regular grade retail gasoline average when the Energy Information Administration releases its survey results for May 31 from a five-week low of $3.849 gallon set on May 23, reversing two consecutive weeks in which the average fell by nearly 12 cents per gallon. The [...]
“Pilot Flying J is committed to providing the best experience possible for every professional driver in each of our 4,000 showers,” says CEO of Pilot Flying J. Pilot Flying J has announced that over the next 24 months, significant capital investments will be made to improve the shower experience for its trucking customers. “Showers are [...]
Restored World War II Jeep will travel 100 miles each day to recognize military heroes throughout the summer. The Pantry Inc. is breathing new life into a World War II Jeep to travel from city to city in a summer-long celebration to honor our Armed Forces and their families. As part of its Kangaroo Express [...]
National Lend-A-Bin grant applications due June 30. The Anheuser-Busch Foundation and Keep America Beautiful (KAB) have partnered to establish the “Lend-A-Bin Grant Program.” Their efforts support local organizations seeking to provide recycling opportunities at special events and promote the habit of recycling “on-the-go” in their communities. Applications are now open to participate in this program. [...]
Some 23 million gallons of fuel to be distributed. Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, a real estate investment services firm, has been selected to represent the sale of 14 unbranded service stations, mostly in Miami Dade County, Fla., and the distribution of 23 million gallons of fuel, according to Kirk Felici, vice president [...]
As the wellness market matures, consumers across all demographics are looking to manage any number of specific health concerns. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. When Bob Sickles was growing up on his family’s New Jersey farm, he ate plenty of homegrown produce and acquired an affinity for non-processed foods. “Of course, we had Pop Tarts [...]
The cold vault is overrun with new products and traditional favorites. Chains can’t afford to waste cooler space on brands that don’t sell. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Water continues to briskly flow into and out of convenience stores. It’s bottled, it’s branded, it’s often flavored and, increasingly, it’s infused with ingredients that are good [...]
Top retailers in any category understand the importance of their brand, their brand promise and how they deliver on that promise. They understand that given a choice, consumers would rather spend their money with retail brands they know, like and trust. So how recognizable is your c-store brand and what is it that you promise [...]
United Supermarkets’ third Market Street location in Lubbock, Texas will anchor a major redevelopment effort in the city. The store will be comparable in size to the city’s two other Market Street locations, but with innovations in design and service concepts. Plans also call for construction of a United Express fuel and convenience store near [...]
Keeping sets fresh—allocating shelf space, rotating product, keeping tabs on expiration dates and weeding out slow sellers in favor of new items—is the key to maintaining strong sales. By John Lofstock, Editor. Convenience store operators are enjoying the growing popularity of smokeless tobacco products, but they are also being forced to keep a wary eye [...]
The food bar category experienced double-digit sales growth in 2010, but 2011 could prove to be a challenging year. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. The snack bars/granola bars category experienced sharp sales gains in 2010 as on-the-go consumers were looking for quick meal solutions that wouldn’t break the bank. Total snack bar sales jumped 11.26% [...]
Drive-thru kiosks and mobile carts offering more than 200 hot and cold beverages, enter Morris County, N.J. Mountain Mudd Espresso drive-thru specialty coffee, a brand of CHS, is expanding into Morris County, N.J., through a strategic partnership with C Baggio Beverages that calls for 24 stores by 2016. The first Mountain Mudd location in Morris [...]
“We are excited to expand our Virginia presence into the Charlottesville area by acquiring such modern and well-maintained facilities,” says VPS chairman and CEO. VPS Convenience Store Group, an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners Inc., has acquired Virginia Oil Co., a fuel wholesaler and operator of 17 convenience stores in western Virginia. With this acquisition, [...]
“The growing energy and optimism of restaurant operators, dealers and distributors were tangible at this year’s NRA Show,” says NRA Show convention chair. The 92nd annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant (NRA), Hotel-Motel Show and 4th annual International Wine, Spirits and Beer Event (IWSB) at showed positive growth in attendee and exhibitor numbers. NRA Show 2011 [...]