By John Lofstock, Editor Following the retirement of its long-time Chief Customer Officer Jeff Leedy, Rutter’s Farm Stores has hired industry veteran Derek Gaskins as chief engagement officer, CSD has learned. Gaskins has an extensive background in marketing for both retail and consumer packaged goods companies, and spent two years as the vice president of…
Chamber of Commerce Suggests Gas Tax Increase
More fuel efficient vehicles and high gas prices are impacting gas demand, spurring the talks on taxes. This week, the House Budget Committee held a hearing on the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). Testifying before the Committee: Robert Poole, Reason Foundation; Richard Geddes, Cornell University; and Janet Kavinoky with the U.S. Chamber of…
Rutter’s Adds Rotisserie Chicken
Original and spicy chicken in quarters and halves heat up the Rutter’s menu. Rotisserie chicken is the newest addition to the national award-winning menu at Rutter’s Farm Stores, the central Pennsylvania chain announced this week. Rutter’s tender chicken is offered in both quarters and halves. The quarters will be available in breast and wing combinations…
KickBack Rewards Systems to Be Featured at The Tech EVENT
Convenience store retailers looking to drive loyalty can learn all about KickBack’s innovative loyalty solutions by visiting the KickBack team at Booth 401 at The Tech EVENT from May 6-10 in Dallas. It’s crucial that convenience store retailers take a step back now and look at what is coming down the pipeline with loyalty solutions…
Hershey’s Tom Joyce Honored by the American Jewish Committee
Joyce and Kathleen Evans, president of AMCON Distributing Co., are the recipients of AJC’s 2013 National Human Relations Award. By John Lofstock, Editor Tom Joyce, vice president of global customer and industry affairs for The Hershey Co., was honored last night by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) at the New York Hilton, receiving the organization’s…
Altria To Debut Electronic Cigarette
Altria Group Inc., the largest seller of tobacco in the U.S., is getting into the e-cig business. The company announced that its subsidiary Nu Mark is planning to introduce an electronic cigarette in the second half of 2013, Bloomberg reported. The electronic cigarette will be sold in an undisclosed market. As demand traditional cigarette sales…
TravelCenters of America Opens New Petro Stopping Center
New acquisition in Wells, Nev. to feature Iron Skillet brand restaurant and a fully-stocked travel store. TravelCenters of America LLC (TravelCenters), operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel center brands, has announced the acquisition and rebranding of a travel center in Wells, Nevada, to the Petro Stopping Centers brand. Petro Wells is…
Family Dollar Partners With TAS
Improves data visibility and collaboration with enterprise market knowledge solution. Family Dollar, a dollar store channel business, is seeing a wide variety of benefits from the deployment of TAS Unity, an enterprise market knowledge system specifically designed for retail real estate from Trade Area Systems (TAS) Inc. Since the TAS system went fully operational…
Scotsman Donates To ALFLC
Charity helps military veterans transition to civilian life through foodservice equipment repair industry career training. On behalf of global ice machine and dispenser manufacturer, Ice-O-Matic, Scotsman Industries has donated $10,000 dollars to A Legacy For Learning Corp. (ALFLC). The organization works with military veterans to provide scholarship-funded training for career placement within the Foodservice Equipment…
Carrot Cake Muffins
Introducing the newest addition to the Otis Spunkmeyer Supreme muffin line—delicious Carrot Cake muffin. Made with real carrots, coconut oat streusel and bursts of cinnamon, this muffin lives up to the decadent standards of the Otis Spunkmeyer Supreme name. The tulip-style cup and abundant crown create a distinct, upscale treat—available in the 4 ounce size…