By Brian L. Milne, Energy Editor, Schneider Electric The final and holiday-shortened trade week in May brought about a great amount of volatility in US oil markets, which whipsawed in futures and spot trading on a multitude of concerns ranging from assessments of U.S. and global economies, Federal Reserve stimulus efforts, geopolitical tension in Africa [...]
Programs announced at 2013 marketing conference help branded customers compete in challenging marketplace. By John Lofstock, Editor Phillips 66 yesterday wrapped up its 2013 Marketing Conference & Trade Show in Las Vegas with a flurry of new announcements and marketer awards. The Houston-based oil company, which operates the Phillips 66, 76 and Conoco retail brands, [...]
Attracting Millennials, alternative fuels, fleet management and adopting a winning loyalty program among the key issues address during day one of the three-day conference. By John Lofstock, Editor Hundreds of Phillips 66, Conoco and 76-branded marketers descended on Las Vegas this week for the Phillips 66 2013 Marketing Conference & Trade Show. The theme of [...]
By John Lofstock, Editor. In these difficult economic times it’s rewarding to meet successful businesses that are doing things right. It’s even more gratifying when these businesses are family owned and operated. Such is the case with Family Express in Valparaiso, Ind. I have known Gus Olympidis and his family for more than 15 years [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Four of the chain’s nearly 200 stores remain closed due to the ongoing manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers. Separately, 7-Eleven tells CSD that despite media reports one of its stores was not robbed by the suspects early this morning. By John Lofstock, Editor As the nation continues to mourn the senseless terrorist attack on [...]
LOGIC Technology CEO Eli Alelov discuss the possible impact of government regulations on electronic cigarettes on Fox News. By John Lofstock, Editor Hailed by many as an emerging threat to the tobacco cigarette industry, electronic cigarettes have provided smokers with an alternative to traditional tobacco-based smoking. These battery-operated devices simulate the experience of traditional cigarette [...]
I was having drinks with some friends recently at the NACS Leadership Conference when the topic of exceeding the customers’ expectations came up. I was asked by a member of the group what I thought was the true cost of not doing something right the first time. The consensus was that when it came to [...]
Despite a weakened economy, the convenience store industry posted healthy sales gains in key in-store categories, such as foodservice, snacks, beverages and tobacco products, raising optimism for an even stronger 2013. For all the concerns about reduced consumer spending over the past 15 months, convenience stores experienced another strong year in 2012. Core categories, such [...]
I had the opportunity recently to look back at the archives of Convenience Store Decisions from the early 1990s. The majority of stories were dominated by candy and tobacco. Sure, there were some sandwich stories and the obligatory narrative on roller grills—even one mention of a futuristic retailer in Texas attempting to develop a pricebook [...]
As the Harlem Shake has spread across the Internet into classrooms, dance clubs and even sporting events, the dance trend is finding its way into conveneince stores. Mr. Cravin the Farmer, the face of Family Express’s foodservice program, recruited the Family Express corporate staff to celebrate 1,000 Twitter followers by doing the Harlem Shake, and [...]
The grab-and-go business is constantly evolving. Today’s customers not only want their foodservice fast, but they expect quality, consistency and healthy daypart options. By John Lofstock, Editor. Convenience store operators are driving sales of healthy, portable foodservice offerings like packaged sandwiches, wraps, salads and some roller grill items. But, historically, the industry has seldom gotten [...]
The Convenience Store Decisions case study series examines how experts in and around the industry identify and overcome challenging operating scenarios. By John Lofstock, Editor. Sometime late last year I sat down with several members of the Convenience Store Decisions Editorial Board looking for new ideas that could help our readers think outside the box [...]
Customer engagement, the future of payment technologies, alternative fuels and the new legislative landscape highlight the 2013 Leadership Conference in Miami. By John Lofstock, Editor Convenience store retailers not in touch with the needs of their customers risk far more than losing repeat business and sales. They risk extinction as customers gravitate toward chains that [...]