Knowing what women want—and expect—can help c-stores understand how to grow the HBC category. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor As convenience stores look to attract more female customers, industry figures indicate that the health and beauty care (HBC) category offers retailers an opportunity they might not have considered before. While no one is claiming that…
Rally Those Referrers on Social Media
If your business is providing value to its customers, you already have loyal fans. Annie Tsai explains how to turn them into active referrers who spread the word about what you have to offer—and help you grow your business. A CSD Staff Report Picture this: After a long day’s work, you sink onto the couch…
How Can Employees Show Customers They Care?
Caring about customers is one of the best ways to differentiate your business and gain long-term consumer loyalty. But how can employers incorporate such a “soft” skill into their operation? “Your best strategy is to teach your employees what caring about customers looks like in action,” said consultant Jon Gordon, author of The Carpenter. “Suggest…
Banking on Cigarettes
Declining sales, consolidation and consumer alternatives pose challenges for retailers who rely on cigarette sales to maintain margins. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Cigarettes Are still a vital c-store category despite recent declining sales. Restrictive regulations and new competition in the form of both dollar stores and alternative products like e-cigarettes and vapor tanks are…
Are Employees Sabotaging Your Company?
Consultants Julie Miller and Brian Bedford share 10 employee types whose attitudes and actions are sabotaging your company’s accountability, costing you money, and sending customers running for the hills. A CSD Staff Report We all know what it’s like to be promised, “I’ll get back to you on that question,” only to never hear another…
Packaging Precision
When mulling food packaging options, label appeal and on-the-go performance are important considerations. By David Bennett, Senior Editor At a time when consumers increasingly perceive private label, food retail brands as competitive with big-name brands in terms of cost and quality, innovative packaging solutions can add value to a convenience store’s take out food program.…
Hola to Ethnic Breakfasts
Handheld, ethnic breakfast offerings, such as tacos, tortillas, empanadas and kolaches, are hot stuff everywhere from quick-service restaurants to convenience stores around the country. Retailers explain how they are spicing up their breakfast sales with these ethnic edibles. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Mexican in the morning is now mainstream, said Aaron Noveshen, founder and…
Menu Makeover
New flavors and small portion snacks can add excitement to an otherwise traditional foodservice menu. By Erin Rigik, Senior Editor Convenience store retailers pursuing proprietary foodservice have the challenge of keeping menus exciting and innovative, while still offering tried-and-true favorites that keep regulars coming back for more. Snacks and appetizers are one menu section where…
Tea for Two…and More
The demand for tea grows as more consumers seek out healthy beverages. C-store chains like QuikTrip are responding by offering up to 10 flavors of fresh-brewed teas. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor Texas technology professional Sheryl Thompson spent about a decade drinking four 12-ounce cans of brand-name soda every day. When Thompson wanted to lose…
NACS: Must Go Show of 2014
Last minute tips for getting the most out of the NACS Show. By Jim Callahan It happens just once a year and it’s almost here. Unlike any other c-store trade show, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show must be experienced live. Whether you’re as large a chain as 7-Eleven or operate a single…