Technology is making it faster, easier and more convenient for consumers to purchase, manage and reload prepaid cards. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. The direct-to-consumer prepaid market, including general-purpose, reloadable cards, such as Green Dot and NetSpend, phone cards and gift cards of all types, is growing by leaps and bounds. Last year, dollars loaded…
Shifting Smokers Spur Category Evolution
As more cigarette buyers switch to smokeless and electronic tobacco products, convenience store retailers juggle SKUs to drive profit. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Traditional cigarettes—once the mighty margin maker for retailers—continue to face a rocky road as the tobacco market shifts toward increasing consumer interest in moist smokeless, flavored cigars and electronic cigarettes.…
Wholesale Gasoline Costs Slide as Supply Tightness Eases
Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Wholesale gasoline costs were lower in most metropolitan markets across the U.S. coming into the final full week of October, pressured by rebuilding gasoline supply as refinery processing ramps up after a series of unexpected outages had propelled gasoline costs sharply higher. The total domestic gasoline inventory…
Pilot Flying J Surpasses 650 Stores In North America
New locations feature expanded foodservice, premium coffee and the MyRewards loyalty program. Pilot Flying J recently opened its 650th and 651st locations in North America. The 650th store, a Pilot Travel Center in Von Ormy, Texas, opened on Oct. 15 and features full amenities for professional drivers, area residents and the motoring public. Today, Oct.…
Team Oil Celebrates 10 Years Of Evolution
What started as a two-man operation has grown into a successful business venture with a team of 35 employees. After 10 years of construction, updates and additions—starting with the opening of the 40-foot Team Oil Travel Center’s Liquor Store on Sept. 20, 2002—Eric and Tony Huppert are looking back at the changes they have…
NRF Says Revised Swipe Settlement Still Unacceptable
“The settlement still does virtually nothing to protect retailers or their customers from the abuses of the card industry, and it attempts to silence any objections for years to come,” says NRF. The National Retail Federation (NRF) said a revised antitrust settlement filed in federal court Friday, Oct. 19, scarcely begins to address retailers’ concerns…
Parker’s Debuts New Location
Garden City, Ga. site opens for business. Parker’s has opened a new state-of-the-art store in Garden City, Ga. in response to customer demand. The 28th Parker’s location, located at 4219 Augusta Rd., features discounted gasoline as well as nearly 4,000 square feet of retail space. Like all other Parker’s retail locations, the Garden City store…
The Anatomy of an Effective LTO
The limited time offer is a proven strategy for testing new products, generating a buzz in your stores and giving consumers a compelling reason to make an immediate purchase. Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. Everyone knows when the McRib comes to town. McDonald’s does not even have to advertise it; the saucy pork sandwich’s legions of…
Dealing Behind the Scenes
Open Pantry’s Robert Buhler opens up about the company’s future, missed opportunities and the financial wisdom offered by his board of directors. By John Lofstock, Editor. To make your mark in the convenience store industry, you are either growing the business or waiting for the rest of the industry to pass you by. Growth can…
Cool New Products Room Previews Record Number Of Items
Retailers weigh in on what stood out to them among the rows of new products in the Cool New Products Preview Room. At the NACS Show that ran Oct. 7-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, attendees had the chance to view the Cool New Products Preview Room and check out what’s new and cool…