If a bill will also commission studies to examine the impact the online lottery would have on c-stores and gas stations, IPMA would remove its opposition to the proposal, says IPMA spokesperson. The Illinois Petroleum Marketers’ Association (IPMA)/Illinois Association of Convenience Stores (IACS) has said it could withdraw its opposition to a bill proposing online [...]
Retailers have come to accept that the health and beauty category (HBC) could never compete with tobacco or foodservice in terms of profits or volume, but it serves an important purpose for convenience store customers. For that reason alone, a diverse offering of cold medicines and personal hygiene products should be a staple on convenience [...]
Meat snack manufacturers are targeting new customers with innovative flavors, new packaging and an attractive price point. Leading the charge to meet the changing needs of the consumer is Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, which markets dozens of popular meat snack varieties under the Jack Link’s and MATADOR brands. Overall, meat snack sales soared 10.3% to [...]
The Washington, DC-based National Chicken Council forecasts that while production of this convenience store menu mainstay will drop by 1.7%, prices will be going up. “This is only the fourth time in five decades that production has gone down,” said Bill Roenigk, senior vice president and chief economist for the National Chicken Council. We are [...]
Ready to hear some good economic news? Bakery is one category showing improved sales this year. Supermarket in-store bakery sales reached $10.4 billion for the 52-weeks ended December, 2011, a 2.2% increase over the same period last year, according to the Perishables Group. The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) recently released this data and other in-store [...]
Mercator Advisory Group’s Prepaid Market Forecast 2011-2014 expects prepaid market growth to slow over the next four years as regulatory and economic issues, as well as saturation in segments including unemployment, impact the market. Open-loop loads are expected to total $281.7 billion in 2013, down $139.4 billion from last year’s forecast of $421.1 billion. “I [...]
Rutter’s enhances prize list, adds more gas giveaways. Rutter’s Farm Stores has announced the latest winners in its Register, Scan and Win contest this week. This year’s prize list, viewable at www.ruttersrewards.com, is slightly different than last year’s, noted Rutter’s Chief Customer Officer Jeff Leedy. “We’re offering more gas prizes this year. That’s one of [...]
Convenience stores are expanding their brew programs and condiment offerings, allowing guests to customize each cup. Most c-stores have embraced the consumer’s desire for customization by offering broad coffee and condiment selections and stations for customers to prep their cups the way they like. C-stores are improving coffee quality in line with greater demand for [...]
As e-cig sales globally hit $200 million, with over $100 million of business in the U.S., e-cig consumer organizations encourage vapers to celebrate the product around the world. Thousands of smokers and ex-smokers across the world will be celebrating World Vaping Day March 22 to celebrate the success of the electronic cigarette, and to encourage [...]
Until recently, e-cigs have been sold through traditional tobacco stores that normally expect a keystone or 100% markup on items other than cigarettes. Though it is hard to determine the number of e-cig users in the U.S., the National Vapers Club estimated that about a million people used e-cigs last year, so it certainly is [...]
The station is set to open in May and will serve Kwik Trip’s LNG- and CNG-powered vehicles, private fleets, and vehicles using multiple or other alternative fuels. A Kwik Trip Inc. Alternative Fuels Station, featuring Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), has been constructed at Kwik Trip’s corporate headquarters in La Crosse, [...]
Three supplier partners recognized by Sheetz for outstanding service. Sheetz Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2012 Outstanding Supplier Partner Awards presented for superior service and dedication to advancing the success of the company and its stores. The awards were presented during the Sheetz Marketplace recognition dinner held Sunday, March 18, in Hershey, Pa. [...]
“With her deep understanding of retail and consumer trends, her love of our industry and her strategic communications background, Ellen is the perfect candidate to re-imagine the possibilities for our Foundation,” says NRF CEO. The National Retail Federation announced today that Ellen Davis has been named senior vice president and executive director of the NRF [...]
After 25 years, 7-Eleven is set to once again operate stores in the Jacksonville area. 7-Eleven officials announced this morning that it plans to open 80 new stores in the Jacksonville, Fla. area by 2015, which the company said will mean 800 new jobs, First Coast News Online reported. 7-Eleven representatives, along with Governor Rick Scott and [...]
Paper cups to take the place of foam cups in 2,000 restaurants in a test that is mostly to affect West Coast locations. In response to a 2011 shareholder resolution filed by shareholder advocacy organization As You Sow, McDonald’s Corp. recently confirmed that it is taking a major step toward possible phase-out of polystyrene foam [...]