From healthy foods to a radical shift in goods and services, retail futurists offer a glimpse of the changing consumer needs that could shape the convenience store industry over the next 10-20 years. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Customers seeking today’s newest phone apps. Electric fueling stations rather than gas islands. Stores that change format [...]
Save the date for the 2013 NAG Conference! This Sept. 15-17 the National Advisory Group (NAG) is hosting its 2013 Conference in Nashville, Tenn. at the Loews Vanderbilt. Registration is now open for the annual conference, which presents an opportunity for retailers to gather and explore the issues that are driving the c-store industry and [...]
Due diligence and proper maintenance can protect your investment and help keep your kitchen tools running longer. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. Choosing the right foodservice equipment can be an often overwhelming task given the range of options available to retailers today. Efficient cooking equipment from induction cooktops, clamshell griddles, convection ovens and combi ovens [...]
Most of the sites for sale are located in the Greater Nashville market. Tri Star Energy LLC of Nashville, Tenn. announced yesterday that it is conducting a strategic divestiture of 22 convenience stores and retail gasoline outlets and three parcels of undeveloped land in Tennessee. Today, the location of the sites for sale were announced [...]
“We can see what our customers need and want, and now have the ability to quickly react to those changing needs,” says Honey Farms’ executive vice-president. Honey Farms Inc., with 36 locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, officially rolled out OpenStore earlier this month, and the free Honey Farms Inc. mobile app is worth the [...]
From mystery shoppers to checklists, creating benchmarks for employees and evaluating their success can curb customer complaints. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. A Harris Interactive survey compiled in 2011 revealed that 94% of U.S. adults would avoid a business in the future if they encountered dirty restrooms. And with foodservice infiltrating convenience stores at a [...]
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 [...]
A photo-op with vice president Dan Quayle changed Phuong Duong’s life. New 7-Eleven franchisee Phuong Duong ‘s journey to become an independent business owner may be longer than most, beginning almost 30 years ago in war-torn Vietnam and a treacherous boat ride to Malaysia in 1985 with her parents and two siblings. By way [...]
Proposes upping minimum wage to $9 per hour in State of the Union address. In his State of the Union address last night, President Obama called for a raise in the minimum wage from its current $7.25 to $9 per hour. In addition, he proposed raising the tipped minimum wage — made by tipped employees, [...]
The Fuels Institute is an independent think tank founded and managed by NACS. NACS this morning announced the formation of The Fuels Institute, a non-profit, research-oriented think tank dedicated to evaluating the market issues related to consumer vehicles and the fuels that power them. “Our industry sells 80% of the fuel purchased in the country,” [...]
Cleveland Browns’ owner returns to his former post in the c-store/travel center industry. Having recently put new leadership in place at the Cleveland Browns, Jimmy Haslam is set to return to the helm of his family-owned company, Pilot Flying J, in Knoxville, Tenn, Cleveland.com reported. Haslam will regain his position as CEO of the company [...]
Gen Y showing more intensity and resiliency in job search, Snagajob data finds. Millennials are proving more ambitious in their job searches, re-engaging at a faster rate and applying for more jobs compared to older job seekers, according to Snagajob, America’s largest hourly employment network for job seekers and employers. Snagajob, which hosts more than [...]
“Jeff’s military background, commitment to excellence and attention to detail make him an excellent addition to the Parker’s team,” says Parker’s CEO. Parker’s recently hired Jeff Bush as Director of Fuel Services. In his new position, Bush is responsible for overseeing fuel logistics, pricing strategies, supply costs and supplier negotiations. He previously served as business [...]
Whether it’s a fire, a natural disaster or protecting yourself from slip-and-fall lawsuits, convenience store operators must have the proper coverage to protect their investments. By Mark E. Battersby, Contributing Editor. Can any convenience store chain, franchisee or independent gasoline marketer withstand the financial hit of a fire that results in a two-month shutdown of [...]
At presstime, Tuesday’s expected ruling on the proposed swipe fee settlement by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Court has not yet been issued. The ruling is part of a series steps before the $7.2 billion proposed settlement can take effect. The proposed settlement was announced on July 13, 2012, and received preliminary [...]