CStore Decisions will be recognizing Chains to Watch in its July issue. A Chain to Watch is a convenience store chain that is focused on growth both currently and in the year ahead. Examples of growth might include rolling out a new foodservice program, introducing a new mobile app and loyalty program, building, acquiring or…
Leading Categories and Team Members in 2024
2024 might prove to be a better year for c-store sales than many had anticipated. As this month’s Category Management Handbook points out, recession fears have quieted, and inflation appears to finally be on a downward trend. The economy and customer sentiment are looking up, and category dollar sales are flying high, thanks to…
The 16th Annual HR Benchmarking Report
In 2024, staffing issues and inflation both remain top challenges at convenience stores. As retailers look to better recruitment, hiring and retention practices, they’re continuing to raise starting wages and improve benefits to best appeal to employees who are feeling squeezed by the rising cost of living. For the 16th consecutive year, CStore Decisions and…
Nuzum Drives Hot and Cold Foods at Casey’s
As the senior category manager for hot and cold foods at Casey’s, Brian Nuzum has the busy job of driving category performance for the hot and cold prepared food business (excluding pizza) and the refrigerated food business across the chain’s more than 2,600 stores in 17 states. His responsibilities include managing assortment, price, cost negotiation,…
The Emergence Convenience Foodservice Forum Kicks Off
The Emergence Convenience Foodservice Forum kicked off at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill., on April 9, drawing convenience store foodservice executives from across the country. The conference began with a look at the changing c-store foodservice landscape. Tim Hand and Bruce Reinstein, partners with Kinetic12, began the forum with an overview of the…
Improving HR Practices
It’s time again for CStore Decisions’ annual HR issue, where we deep-dive into the trends impacting labor management at convenience stores. As costs rise and the labor market continues to tighten, c-stores are facing steep competition for employees from adjacent industries that are raising the bar on what attractive wages and benefits can look like…
Battling Today’s Staffing Challenges
In 2024, staffing issues and inflation both remain top challenges at convenience stores. As retailers look to better recruitment, hiring and retention practices, they’re continuing to raise starting wages and improve benefits to best appeal to employees who are feeling squeezed by the rising cost of living. For the 16th consecutive year, CStore Decisions and…
Hannon Supports Others at Rutter’s
Human resources (HR) in the convenience store sector plays a pivotal role in the operational success of a business, especially when there are always new faces to work with and guide. Kate Hannon, director of HR and payroll for The Rutter’s Cos., understands the importance of being dedicated to employees and supporting them with their…
Navigating Tobacco Backbar Trends
The tobacco category remains in the spotlight at c-stores as the industry grapples with marketing denial orders (MDO) for vape products and braces for pending rules from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) around menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. “Regulations continue to challenge the tobacco industry in 2024,” said Tim Greene, director of tobacco and…
AI — From Buzzword to Reality
Every year, technology increasingly progresses, its capabilities and sophistication quickly surpassing that of even a few years ago, let alone that of a decade or more ago when the iPhone was still newer to many of us and Uber was just beginning to gain traction. For convenience store retailers, the technology boom has led to…