Beginning in 2015 Heineken will bring world-class soccer experiences and #MLSNext to American fans. Heineken announced a landmark, long-term partnership agreement with Major League Soccer (MLS) to become the Official Beer of MLS. The partnership, which commences in January 2015, further establishes Heineken’s standing as a worldwide leader in the sport and gives the brand…
White House Initiative To Require PIN On Credit Transactions
NACS, PCI SSC and NRF weigh in on BuySecure Initiative. The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), on behalf of the more than 151,000 convenience stores nationwide, the PCI Security Standards Council and the National Retail Federation (NRF), all applaud President Obama’s new BuySecure Initiative instituting the use of both microchip and PIN technology in…
Kum & Go Plans Headquarters Design
Six firms vie to create headquarters design. Kum & Go is considering six international design firms for its proposed 120,000-square-foot headquarters along Grand Avenue in downtown Des Moines in what is expected to be a $92 million project, the Business Record Online reported. The c-store chain aims to make a final decision by mid-November and…
Holiday Shopping to Happen Early and Often
ICSC releases consumer spending intentions. Procrastinators be forewarned—you might be lonely this holiday shopping season. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) latest consumer tracking survey, about 35% of consumers have or will have started their holiday shopping by the end of October. Roughly three out of five shoppers will begin shopping by…
C-Stores Evolving Among Rising Expectations
Innovators are pushing the envelope with elevated foodservice, sleek architecture, savvy brand partnerships and more, say experts from CBX and Insight. Today’s convenience stores face growing pressure to evolve amid the ramped-up expectations of global consumers, according to an Oct. 8 NACS Show presentation by Joseph Bona, president of branded environments at brand agency and…
Starbucks Unveils Reimagined In-Store and Digital Innovations
Looks to elevate customer shopping experience for holiday 2014 and beyond. Starbucks Coffee Co. unveiled a roadmap of innovations to its more than 2,000 district managers at the Starbucks Leadership Experience conference in Seattle this week. The company shared several customer initiatives to further transform and elevate the Starbucks Experience in Holiday 2014 and beyond.…
Walmart Goes Small
Walmart’s prototype convenience store in Bentonville, Ark. reflects a shift in strategy for the retailer, but will it be a game changer for the industry? By David Bennett, Senior Editor As vehicles navigate under the shiny white fuel station canopy, the eye goes immediately to the yellow columns designed to mimic the burst of petals…
Season Sweetens Candy Sales
Will this Halloween be a trick or treat for c-store candy profits? By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor Confectioners, such as Hershey, Mars and Wonka, bank on holidays to boost their annual business. After all, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas and Hanukkah combine to generate $7 billion in U.S. sales. Not surprisingly, Halloween accounts for…
Finding a Niche
Vaping products are helping offset declining cigarette sales. Howard Riell, Associate Editor With cigarette sales continuing their seemingly irreversible decline, c-store operators are making up lost dollars with electronic cigarettes and, most recently, refillable vapor tanks. Driving that business forward, however, is a bit trickier than traditional cigarettes, requiring better merchandising and an increased knowledge…
Breaded Chicken Sandwich Steps Out of the Burger’s Shadow
Breaded chicken sandwiches have grown an average of 3% over the last four years, NPD Group reports. Hamburgers have been and are the chosen sandwich ordered at restaurants and other foodservice outlets, but an increasing number of consumers are becoming enamored with breaded chicken sandwiches, reports The NPD Group, a leading global information company. Servings…