Pizza Gets Personal

Pizza Gets Personal

C-store retailers can expect to see continued growth in the pizza category in 2012. “Pizza has good hold times, is a consumer favorite and is relatively easy to prepare. Sales will be up in 2012,” said Tim Powell, director for Chicago-based research firm Technomic. Trends to watch in 2012 include an increase in take-and-bake pizzas, [...]

Jiffy Mart Revamps Coffee Program

Jiffy Mart Revamps Coffee Program

After adding the new ThermoFresh Digital Server and Brewing system Jiffy Mart expects an increase in sales and a decrease in waste. Partnering with Lacas Coffee and Cooper Booth Wholesale, Jiffy Mart Convenience Store Chain has revamped its coffee program.  Jiffy Mart has moved away from its mix of air pots and glass pots, upgrading [...]

Thorntons Renews Partnership With Churchill

Thorntons Renews Partnership With Churchill

“Not only do both companies share a Louisville heritage, Churchill Downs and Thorntons have an ongoing commitment to customers and fans, our loyal team members and associates, as well as to the community itself,” says Thorntons CEO. Thorntons Inc. has announced an extension of its partnership with Louisville, Ky.-based Churchill Downs Inc. as the “Convenience [...]

New Report Attacks Tobacco Sales, Targets C-Stores

New Report Attacks Tobacco Sales, Targets C-Stores

Report by anti-smoking groups condemns c-stores for point-of-sale tobacco marketing. A new report, titled “Deadly Alliance: How Tobacco Companies and Convenience Stores Partner to Market Tobacco Products and Fight Life-Saving Policies” has been released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Counter Tobacco (a project that works to counter tobacco product sales and marketing at the [...]

VeriFone Acquires LIFT Retail Marketing

VeriFone Acquires LIFT Retail Marketing

“LiftRetail Solutions extends our digital media reach into the convenience store environment,” says VeriFone spokesperson. VeriFone Systems Inc. has announced the acquisition of LIFT Retail Marketing Technology Inc., the provider of a digital marketing system designed to increase sales for convenience stores. Financial terms were not disclosed. LIFT Retail, based in Atlanta, developed and markets [...]

Managing Technology Within An Organization

Managing Technology Within An Organization

“I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.” — From the HAL 9000 computer, 2001: A Space Odyssey When it comes to technology solutions for your business it is easy to get carried away with the latest-and-greatest gadgets and solutions. [...]

The Recovery Drink

The Recovery Drink

What do you get when a Navy SEAL decides to develop an anti-inflammatory supporting sports recovery drink? You get awesome in a can. Kill Cliff, an Atlanta-based company has developed and launched Kill Cliff, a tasty new addition to the Recovery Beverage Category.  The product is lightly carbonated with a blood orange flavor only 15 [...]

Turning a Profit at the Roller Grill

Turning a Profit at the Roller Grill

One of the most maligned pieces of equipment in all of foodservice—the roller grill—remains the backbone of many c-store foodservice programs, offering an inexpensive, labor-friendly way for   operators to expand their fresh-food offering at a time when other nonfoodservice categories are declining. Roller grill sales are estimated to account for roughly 10-15% of convenience foodservice [...]

New Products, Variety  Enhancing Salty Snacks

New Products, Variety Enhancing Salty Snacks

Salty snack sales are a surging category and retailers should be going along for the ride. “All chip segments have become accepted mainstream food and that’s not going to change in 2012, said Amer Hawatmeh, president of St. George Oil in St. Louis, operator of six Coast to Coast convenience stores. Part of the attraction [...]

Ethnic, Local Themes Among Emerging Deli Trends

Ethnic, Local Themes Among Emerging Deli Trends

International fare and regionally produced ingredients are the hottest trends in deli department foods, according to “What’s in Store 2012,” the recently released annual trends publication of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA). Eighty-two percent of consumers enjoy visiting supermarket delis that feature newer and trendier items, regardless of whether they regularly purchase these items. Delis [...]

Lighting Your Way to Profitability

Lighting Your Way to Profitability

When sold responsibly, lighters are a dependable source of revenue, even as the number of smokers declines. Lighters are a much-needed tool for the home grill and candles. Another trend helping push lighter sales in c-stores is flavored cigars, which continues to grow at an impressive rate. “Tobacco accessories are alive and well, evolving with [...]

Lessons in Retail Leadership

Lessons in Retail Leadership

Despite fast-changing customer expectations, shortened product and retail life cycles and rapid technological advancements, many retailers have not taken advantage of opportunities to innovate. By applying new perspectives to established ways of doing business, convenience store retailers can strengthen their competitive and financial positions, improve the customer experience and create a new life cycle of [...]

Early Seasonal Peak for Gasoline or More to Go?

Early Seasonal Peak for Gasoline or More to Go?

By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Retail gasoline prices continue to advance, with the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) U.S. average for regular grade surging 7.2 cents to a $3.793 gallon nine-month high as of March 5, with further gains to again hike the average when next released. View Telvent DTN’s Weekly and [...]

Technomic Report Analyzes Snacking Habits

Technomic Report Analyzes Snacking Habits

Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report shows customers are snacking more as meals get healthier. Consumers are snacking significantly more now than they were just two years ago. Almost half (48%) of consumers polled say they’re now snacking at least twice a day, compared to 25% in 2010. Restaurants are capitalizing on the growing snacking occasion [...]

Getty Realty Corp. Extends Maturity of Credit Facility And Term Loan

Getty Realty Corp. Extends Maturity of Credit Facility And Term Loan

“The extension provides Getty with financial flexibility as it begins to execute on its strategy of re-positioning the Getty Marketing assets to stabilize cash flow,” says Getty spokesperson. Getty Realty Corp. has announced that on March 9, 2012 it amended both its $175 million revolving credit facility with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative [...]