Three bright young women receive tuition assistance from the National Advisory Group. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. The National Advisory Group (NAG) has announced the recipients of its scholarship program, which helps defer the cost of higher education for children of employees who work at NAG-affiliated c-stores. The scholarship recipients were announced at NAG’s 2012 [...]
The NACS Show is my annual reminder of just how much innovation exists among the many talented retailers and suppliers I communicate with every day. I expect this year’s NACS Show to be one of the most interesting I’ve ever attended. While the event has so much to offer, retailers can’t lose sight of the [...]
Every retailer spends a good portion of his day trying to figure out how best to serve his customers. But frankly, customers and their motivations can throw even the best retailers for a loop. By John Lofstock, Editor. “The customer is always right” is a mantra that convenience store owners hear over and over again. [...]
Eight service tips for effectively handling customer complaints at retail. By John Lofstock, Editor. A lot of retail best—and worst—practices can be found simply by observing what others are doing. Spirit Airlines recently flew into a big public relations disaster. Sticking to a no-refunds policy, the airline refused to refund the airfare of a passenger [...]
Little Ferry, N.J. convenience store meets customer needs despite power outage. In Hurricane Sandy’s wake, the 7-Eleven on Main and Liberty Streets in Little Ferry, N.J. found itself unexpectedly open to storm-battered shoppers on Tuesday, despite a lack of power, the Star-Ledger reported. Initially, the store planned to open its doors just long enough for [...]
As power outages close stores, Wawa works to get back up and running. Following Hurricane Sandy’s wrath, a reported 194 of Wawa’s 601 stores faced power outages Tuesday afternoon—mostly stores in the hardest hit areas of New Jersey, southern Pennsylvania and Delaware, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. And Wawa was not alone. Some 33 Giant Food [...]
Net proceeds exceed $111.6 million before expenses. Lehigh Gas Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership, has completed its initial public offering of 6,000,000 common units representing limited partner interests in Lehigh Gas Partners at $20.00 per common unit, according to Reuters. The common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol [...]
Kretek International Inc. has introduced QuickWhite Teeth Whitening Spray from SprayWhite 90. The simple spray applicator contains an all-natural solution proven to whiten teeth 4-5 shades in only two 90-second applications. As a bonus, each QuickWhite kit comes with two free trial packets of WOW (WithOut Water) Powder Oral Rinse—a simple and effective breath-freshening and [...]
Niagara area retailers and members of the OCSA expect to see a reduction of contraband products following recent commitments in the Ontario budget. The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) announced that the Niagara Regional Council, passed a motion against contraband tobacco at a Council meeting held Thursday, Oct. 25th. The motion requested that the Regional [...]
Hillshire Farm brand is introducing three new flavors and two new formats of smoked sausage to expand customer offerings for c-store operators. The new flavors are:• Hillshire Farm Beef Hot Links• Hillshire Farm Spicy Italian Style Smoked Sausage with Mozzarella and Monterey Jack Cheeses• Hillshire Farm Spicy Fajita Flavored Smoked Sausage with Monterey Jack Cheese [...]
Gas demand expected to dip as streets remain flooded and Northeastern residents—in some areas—are encouraged to remain in doors. More than 8.1 million U.S. homes and businesses were without power on Tuesday after Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc, tearing down power lines, flooding electrical networks and causing an explosion at a Consolidated Edison substation on Manhattan’s [...]
Super Bowl and Mardi Gras impact court date. The trial over liability for BP Plc’s 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill was postponed to Feb. 25, so the lawyers won’t lose accommodations to Super Bowl and Mardi Gras crowds, a New Orleans judge told Bloomberg Online. The Super Bowl is set for Feb. 3, and [...]
For the first time this year, fans can also create their own digital display case of their collection. Hess Toy Truck fans worked together to reveal the newest addition to the celebrated line of toy trucks ahead of its scheduled Nov. 1 launch: The 2012 Hess Toy Truck is a Helicopter and Rescue. Last week, [...]
Kretek International Inc. has announced the newest addition to the Kretek Performance Brand family—ExtenZe HT, from Biotab Nutraceuticals. Specifically formulated to support increased testosterone, ExtenZe HT contains Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), which directly affects muscle tone, along with Pregnenolone, for an overall sense of well being. It also promotes the restoration of DHEA and DHEA-S levels [...]
Awards were presented in multiple categories, with winners chosen from nearly 3,000 entrants worldwide. For the second consecutive year, Retalix Ltd. has received the Microsoft Alliance ISV 2012 Industry Partner of the Year Award for the Retail Sector. “We are delighted to win the Microsoft partner of the year award,” said Gil Priver, head of [...]