Operations & Marketing
Convenience store management has never been more important as costs continue to surge. From investing in new store equipment, state-of-the lighting and energy efficient systems to signs, displays, distribution and direct store delivery (DSD) issues and effectively managing the forecourt, convenience store operators have to make choices that will drive new business without breaking the bank. Convenience Store Decisions highlights the challenges retailers are facing and emphasizes effective solutions chains have identified for operating more efficiently.
Advertising, Marketing, Entertaining and Deducting
Promotional budgets are typically one of the first costs businesses look to slash when times get tough. But understanding available tax deductions can help offset advertising expenses. By Mark E. Battersby, Contributing Editor. Without effective marketing and advertising, customers may recognize the existence of your convenience store business, but they won’t know anything about it. [...]
Battling City Hall
While dealing with red tape is a common occurrence when dealing with local municipalities, there are tax benefits for businessowners to make the process less costly. By Mark E. Battersby, Contributing Editor. Thanks to the economy and skyrocketing costs, convenience stores and other businesses are making less money and paying more in taxes while, at [...]
The Business of Growing
Overcoming the top nine challenges for effectively growing your retail business requires true leadership and patience. By John Lofstock, Editor. The hardest step entrepreneurs take is getting their startup off the ground once and for all. The second hardest step is growing it into the best business it can be. What today’s entrepreneurs and aspiring [...]
Updating the State of the Industry
NACS Chairman Jeff Miller discusses card fees, fuel and the future of convenience stores. By John Lofstock, Editor. Jeff Miller, president of Miller Oil Co. in Virginia, wears many hats. He is an oilman, an industry advocate and a leader. For the past year, he has also been the chairman of NACS, which could [...]
Exercise Caution on Fuel Tanks
With retailers still unsure of what the future holds for fuels in the U.S., investing in new USTs is a risky proposition. By John Lofstock, Editor. It’s been nearly four years since then-President George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act into law, requiring at least 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel be [...]
Negotiating for the Best Cost of Goods
Convenience store owners need to work more closely with suppliers and wholesalers to get better supply contracts and offer consumers more competitive prices. Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. Convenience store owners need to work more closely with suppliers and wholesalers to get better supply contracts and offer consumers more competitive prices. A plaque in Ray Johnson’s [...]
Tax Savings After the Deadline
With operating costs soaring in a sluggish economy, convenience store owners have a variety of tax benefits available to them from the IRS. By Mark E. Battersby, Contributing Editor. Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service advised taxpayers to cool their heels and wait until mid- to late-February 2011 before filing their returns to allow [...]
Integrating POS Solutions
Speed of service is crucial, but with all the services that convenience stores offer today communication between machines is key. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Greater speed of service and reduced operational costs can both be achieved through new integrated point-of-sale (POS) solutions. Case in point: Kocolene Marketing LLC in Seymour, Ind., which is making [...]
Managing the Distribution Network
There are endless perks and possibilities for convenience store chains of all sizes that embrace self delivery. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. In the highly competitive convenience store industry, retailers must constantly search out new ways to control expenses, boost profits and improve margins. For chains of a certain size, self-distribution has the potential to [...]
Is Groupon Right for Your Business?
A growing debate continues as to whether Groupon, and other daily deal sites like Living Socialare good for businesses or are they a quick-fix marketing solution in a sluggish economy yielding short-lived, expensive, false hope. While the jury is still out, there is no debating that the daily deal phenomenon continues to grow in popularity. [...]
Facebook Marketing for Convenience Stores
Convenience store chains, like most retailers, pay close attention to transaction counts and sales per customer. Until recently, getting to know your customers as individuals might have seemed costly and out of reach for all but the largest of companies. Having the opportunity to communicate with your customers and getting to know their friends and [...]
Protecting Profits with Video Surveillance
Prominently placed security cameras can help deter potential thieves and identify those who do steal. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. A store cashier pockets the $20 bill that a busy commuter hands him to pay for fuel. A shopper picks up a tube of lip balm and casually drops it into her purse. A customer [...]
Effective Visual Merchandising
By using creative store displays, retailers are making a certain connection with potential customers, one that is long lasting and makes them more apt to make a purchase. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Are you showing your wares as effectively as possible? According to the Convenience Consumer Insights (cci) Panel, the first-of-its-kind mobile research panel [...]
UNC Wins $20K Donation from Kangaroo Express
UNC beats NC State and Duke to benefit student-led UNC Build a Block program in Battle for Bean Street contest. Cary, N.C.-based The Pantry Inc., an independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., officially announced the University of North Carolina as its Battle for Bean Street Champion, scoring the $20,000 grand prize donation [...]
Kangaroo Express, Coca-Cola Partner for Kids
Five-week fundraiser across three states aims to help send kids with chronic medial conditions to Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction for a once in a lifetime camping experience. Cary, N.C.-based The Pantry Inc., an independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., is partnering with Coca-Cola for a third consecutive year to send children to [...]
