TA adds a Dunkin’ Donuts to its Mebane Petro Stopping Center to complement the location’s full-service Iron Skillet restaurant. TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) has announced the opening of Dunkin’ Donuts at the Petro Stopping Center located at I-40/I-85, Exit 157 in Mebane, N.C. The new location will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 [...]
Remodels more than 100 stores. Later this month, Target Corp. plans to complete remodels at more than 100 general merchandise Target stores. Beginning March 25, these stores will offer a full selection of affordable and quality fresh foods to guests across the country. The stores will be the first of three cycles of remodels for [...]
Newly rebuilt store offers increased energy efficiency and more space for fresh and prepared foods. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. LLC is set to reopen its doors at 7 a.m., March 30 to its Hyde Park, Mass., store located at 1025 Truman Parkway. The newly constructed, energy-efficient store boasts approximately 40,000 square feet, double [...]
Getting one store back in order in just two-and-a-half days proved to be the ultimate retail challenge. By Jim Callahan. One of my retail clients recently had to take back two failed convenience stores—that were in extremely bad condition—from a franchisee on a Wednesday and wanted them back online by the weekend. I love a [...]
The University of Northern Colorado has rolled out a new convenience store brand to satisfy student cravings with products they need at prices they can afford. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. When students rolled into the University of Northern Colorado’s (UNC) University Center this fall, Munchy Mart was waiting. The brand new 1,250-square-foot convenience store, [...]
MSA and Paradigm Sample, in partnership with Convenience Store Decisions, examine the market basket of 18-34-year-old convenience store shoppers. By Trish Temmerman, Contributing Editor. Numerous reports are being written about connecting to and interacting with the Millennial (18-34 year-old) generation. These Millennials, numbering 71 million-plus according to the 2010 U.S. Census, are a key shopper [...]
One in four coffee drinkers are now choosing gourmet products daily as younger consumers embrace upscale brews. By John Lofstock, Editor. Coffee consumption tracks strong and steady, according to the National Coffee Association’s (NCA) National Coffee Drinking Trends, with sales data suggesting a solid footing for future growth. Rebounding youth consumption, strong gourmet allegiance and [...]
By John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate” – from the movie, Cool Hand Luke Fire. Aim. Ready. If this is your communications plan…..you may want to read on. Amazingly, many companies do not think about communications—both internally and externally—until it is a [...]
By John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. Feb. 11 was a milepost of sorts – I turned 50! As I enter the second half of my life [sic], I look back at the first 50 years with a great sense of pride and exuberance. I have been blessed with the opportunities [...]
Top-quartile chains continue to post strong sales across all food segments, while retailers express confidence for healthy category growth throughout 2012. By David Bishop, Contributing Editor. We all know times are tough. The consumer is looking for greater value at a time when retailers are focusing on being competitive without losing their shirts. Retailers recognize [...]
Convenience stores are embracing the latest equipment as they look to keep up with QSRs and fast casual restaurants. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. In the summer, customers line up from morning until evening at Maverik convenience stores to take the f’real machine for a spin. From the time the North Salt Lake City-based chain [...]
Customers offered special promotions, instant fuel pricing information using their iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry or Android platform. The Parker Cos., based in Savannah, Ga., has released a free app for iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry and Android users. The user-friendly app provides customers with a full-range of interactive services. This free mobile app offers a convenient Parker’s store [...]
Oil company’s Pump Rewards platform allows customers to redeem cents-per-gallon rebates to save on gas purchases. BP Products North America Inc. announced today the launch of Pump Rewards, a new payment technology that lets loyal BP customers earn cents-per-gallon rebates and redeem them at BP gas stations to experience an instant rollback of gas prices. [...]
The Pinnacle Corp. announced the promotion of Drew Mize to chief operating officer. In his new role, Mize will be responsible for product management, marketing, client services, development, and information technology. Mize joined the organization in 2005 as Vice President of Retail Solutions, and most recently served as Vice President of Product Management and Marketing. [...]
The Digital Deal is an innovative, turnkey text marketing solution aimed at connecting c-stores with their customers. Convevo Partners, a leading convenience store consulting firm, has introduced The Digital Deal, the first ever loyalty program designed specifically for multi-unit and single-store operators. The program is built around a text marketing engine that is fully managed [...]