More drink flavors and savvy promotions can help wring the most out of a c-store’s cold dispensed beverage program. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor From teas to functional carbonated beverages and specialty frozen drinks, the cold dispensed category is seeing an influx of new opportunities to capture customer dollars as traditional carbonated soft drinks decline.…
Evaluating Equipment Needs
Convenience stores assessing whether to test new foodservice waters have increasing access to modern equipment options, which can keep them from getting in over their heads. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor As foodservice sales grow across the convenience store landscape, equipment continues to evolve as well, from innovative ovens that allow for greater menu versatility…
Plugging Into Alternative Payments
Modern payment means can increase a merchant’s reach, provide customers with more choices and help to simplify checkout at the register and at the pump. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor An increasing number of c-store operators—especially those trying to better accommodate customers who prefer to pay through mobile means, or who rely on merchants to…
C-Stores Power Through Storms
Having a back-up generator can help immensely when bad weather happens. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor The takeaway from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, which wrecked parts of Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Puerto Rico this year, is neither novel nor surprising, but it is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.…
Marketing at the Pump
By utilizing a savvy forecourt strategy, which includes messaging on dispensers, c-stores can push up in-store sales. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Media at the pump—from digital gas-pump television advertising to pump-nozzle promotions—enable c-stores to gain in-store lift, differentiate their brands, build customer loyalty and even take food orders. Advances in technology continue to draw…
Cigarettes Face Local Legislators
The cigarette category remains important to total convenience store sales—and still too conspicuous for regulators to ignore. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Cigarettes continue to be a c-store staple, despite the proliferation of local ordinances aimed at restricting the category. According to Information Resources Inc. (IRI), for the 52-week period ending Aug. 13, 2017, the…
Smokeless Back on Track
Smokeless continues to be a bright spot in the tobacco category, reflecting durable consumer loyalty and acceptance of the latest line extensions. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor The adverse impact of this year’s voluntary recall from the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. has lessened considerably, prompting strong category sales across the convenience store channel. Top brands…
Cigars Fend Off Challengers
Cigars remain a popular c-store category, but like other tobacco products, are targeted by taxes, community bans and age restrictions pushed by state and local legislators. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor According to market research firm Information Resources Inc. (IRI), convenience store sales of cigars totaled $2.9 billion for the 52-week period ending June 11,…
Energy Drinks & Shots Exhibit Staying Power
New energy product launches are helping energy drinks and shots gain some of their lost momentum. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Fueled by flavor extensions, cross-bundling, limited-time offers and Americans’ nonstop lifestyle, energy drinks are finding new consumers who are reviving lagging sales. At the same time, energy shots continue to provide a convenient alternative.…
Cigars Reflect Healthy Profits
With more products to choose from, c-store consumers are keeping cigars at the forefront of the OTP category. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor The cigar segment is a healthy one, but one that requires more than a passing familiarity with both regular offerings and evolving regulations. Cigars make up 27.9% of the Other Tobacco Products…