In recent years, roll-your-own tobacco machines have surfaced at various retail locations putting convenience stores at a competitive disadvantage on price. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor America, and in particular its lawmakers, remains caught in a love-hate relationship with tobacco. That push-pull has resulted in very well-publicized attempts to dissuade Americans from using tobacco, or [...]
Although the electronic cigarette category in the U.S. is barely five years old, a dizzying number of brands are vying for the attention of retailers—and more are entering the fray just about every day. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor In a report released in May, UBS Investment Research likened the chaotic e-cigarette category to the e-commerce [...]
Coinstar Inc. is in the process of advancing and developing new kiosk and vending technologies. The owner of the Redbox movie-rental kiosks argues today’s consumers want an updated lineup of self-serve products, ranging from coffee to refurbished iPods. Today’s shoppers are more technologically savvy, and want things quick on-the-go. The vending kiosk trend is expected [...]
Kelly Fuels is unifying its nine stores under a single retail brand and upping its investment in foodservice. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. Kelly Fuels Inc. is moving full steam ahead in 2012, rebranding its nine Michigan c-stores under the Kelly Express Mart brand, and giving its locations a full facelift with an express train [...]
Teams of two invited to compete for four-week, 12-city brand ambassador gig. Save-A-Lot, a hard-discount, limited-assortment grocery chain and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SUPERVALU Inc., is launching a national search for a team of two interns to serve as brand ambassadors—or Road Scholars—for its 2012 Fuel Your Family Road Trip campaign. The winning team will [...]
Krause recognized with 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award in retail and consumer products category. Kyle Krause, president and CEO of Kum & Go convenience stores, has been recognized as a winner in the 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program. Krause was recognized in the Retail and Consumer Products [...]
Michigan lawmakers ask c-stores and retailers to drop all K2 and spice-labeled products from their stores. Michigan law enforcement and health officials are removing dangerous synthetic drugs from retail shelves across the state as of Thursday, according to a miNBC news report. State Senate Bill 1082 is part of a package that allows the state to [...]
Stop & Shop invites people to celebrate its grand opening at its newest Pembroke store with rewards on in-store products. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC opened its doors today at 24 Mattakeesett St. in Pembroke, Mass. Stop & Shop expanded its value and convenience further in the Pembroke, Mass.-area as this is its [...]
MSA and Paradigm Sample, in partnership with Convenience Store Decisions, examine the purchasing habits of adult tobacco consumers at U.S. convenience stores. By Trish Temmerman, Management Science Associates, and John Lofstock, Editor. The tobacco industry continues to face challenges on multiple fronts, namely ongoing legislative initiatives and the ever-present high rate of taxation. These persistent [...]
The KFC in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, converted to a Krispy Krunchy Chicken earlier this month, Minuteman Press reported. Rao’s Hospitality Inc. in Columbus, Ohio owns many of the KFC restaurants in the Ohio and Pennsylvania area. The Cuyahoga Falls location marks the fourth of its KFC stores in Ohio to close in the last two [...]
Milky Way kicks off summer season with ice cream bars for retailers and fans. This summer, the Milky Way brand introduced Milky Way Chocolate Ice Cream Bars, and plans to celebrate by featuring a special edition Milky Way chocolate ice cream truck. “The ice cream truck tour will help us bring the popular Milky Way [...]
No tobacco tax hike in California. Proposition 29, a ballot question that would have increased the California cigarette tax by $1 per pack and raised other tobacco products’ excise tax on an equivalent basis, was not passed by voters in a June 5 California election, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported. The failure [...]
TravelCenters of America answered questions on whether to support the emerging natural gas market today with the help of Shell Oil Products, TA CEO Tom O’Brien says. TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) entered a memorandum of understanding with Shell Oil Products US and its affiliates to construct and run a network of liquefied natural gas [...]
The KRAFT YES Pack, an innovative and eco-friendly dressings package for the foodservice industry, has been awarded the coveted DuPont Packaging Award for innovation. The groundbreaking packaging design by KRAFT is designed to help operators manage costs and improve back-of-house efficiencies by conserving energy and raw materials during the production process. A recent winner of [...]
Jack Link’s Beef Jerky celebrates National Jerky Day with jerky art and a new campaign. C-stores, retailers and beef jerky fans can celebrate National Jerky Day Tuesday for its popularity and its history. Jack Link’s Beef Jerky partnered with renowned mosaic artist Jason Mecier to create an original tribute to jerky through his artwork for [...]