NACS Celebrates the Past, Looks to Redefine the Future

NACS Celebrates the Past, Looks to Redefine the Future

As NACS celebrates the convenience and fuel retailing industry’s remarkable achievements since it was founded 50 years ago, the association is equally looking toward the future, said NACS President and CEO Hank Armour during the NACS Show Opening General Session. It is expected that more than 22,000 attendees from 50 countries will attend the 2011 [...]

Retail Gasoline Prices Slide to Seven-Month Low

Retail Gasoline Prices Slide to Seven-Month Low

By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Retail gasoline prices are at seven-month lows which equates to the decline in gasoline futures trading, with the gasoline contract having tumbled to its lowest level since mid-February. Lower wholesale costs are still moving through the supply chain, so the decline in pump prices will continue [...]

The Business of Growing

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 [...]

The Pantry’s Holman Appointed As Interim CEO

The Pantry’s Holman Appointed As Interim CEO

As Terrance Marks steps down on Oct. 5, Edwin Holman, chairman of the Pantry’s Board, to take the helm as CEO. On Sept. 14, 2011, the Board of Directors of The Pantry Inc. appointed Edwin Holman to act as interim CEO, effective Oct. 5, 2011, the date of resignation for the current CEO Terrance Marks. [...]

Negotiating for the Best Cost of Goods

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 [...]

Gasoline Prices Tumbling Amid Weak Demand, Economic Worry

Gasoline Prices Tumbling Amid Weak Demand, Economic Worry

Wholesale gasoline costs in major metropolitan regions of the country tumbled during the week following Labor Day, pressured by several features including weak consumption of the fuel leading up the holiday weekend, while driving demand consistently slumps in September from August. Historically, gasoline demand and prices move lower in September after the summer driving season. [...]

Preparing for PCI D-Day

Preparing for PCI D-Day

As the deadline for PCI DSS 2.0 compliance approaches, chains should make sure they understand the changes— and triple check that they meet the requirements. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. On Jan. 1, 2012 all convenience store retailers must comply with PCI DSS 2.0 standards. While some chains have been ready for more than a [...]

Wholesale Gasoline Mostly Higher Through Labor Day

Wholesale Gasoline Mostly Higher Through Labor Day

By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor for Telvent DTN Still feeling the impact from last month’s Hurricane Irene, wholesale gasoline costs in most metropolitan markets across the United States moved higher Labor Day, the celebrated end to the summer driving season. Irene made a rare appearance by a hurricane in the Northeast, impacting the [...]

Productivity: Motivating Employees

Productivity: Motivating Employees

By John Matthews, president and founder of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. “The productivity of work is not the responsibility of the worker, but of the manager.” – Peter Drucker. I remember my first managerial job in retail foodservice.  The year was 1987, and I was a manager trainee for Little Caesars Pizza.  I had just [...]

Heineken USA Introduces Noche Buena Beer

Heineken USA Introduces Noche Buena Beer

Exclusive Mexican winter brew will be available in key U.S. markets beginning in October. Heineken USA today announced the launch of Noche Buena, a Bock-styled Lager brewed by Cerveceria Moctezuma, S.A., specifically made for the Fall/Winter season. The limited edition traditional Mexican beer will make its way to select markets in the U.S. in October. [...]

Love’s Launches Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser

Love’s Launches Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser

Beginning now through Sept. 30, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores employees will be putting their hearts into raising funds for 89 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by asking customers to purchase $1, $5 or $20 heart icons. Love’s raises additional funds by holding bake sales, pumping gas for tips, conducting in-store drawings and coordinating other [...]

Rutter’s Gives Away Another Year of Gas

Rutter’s Gives Away Another Year of Gas

Arthur Bankert of Fawn Grove, Pa., is the latest winner of a free year of gas in Rutter’s Fuel Up Free contest. Bankert is the sixth winner in the summer contest that, at its end in September, will have given away a year’s worth of gas to 8 loyal Rutter’s customers. It’s hard to say [...]

Wholesale Gasoline Costs Mixed in Mid-August

Wholesale Gasoline Costs Mixed in Mid-August

Wholesale gasoline costs were mixed through the week-ended Aug. 22, while the New York Mercantile Exchange September RBOB (gasoline) futures contract edged higher. In California, wholesale gasoline costs moved up on a sharp drawdown from state specific gasoline inventories, while in the Midwest costs were higher as refining activity eased. Gasoline costs in the Northeast [...]

Rutter’s Trains Through the Web

Rutter’s Trains Through the Web

Rutter’s Farm Stores now trains its new employees through online training services having teamed with both Ready Training Inc. and Targeted Solutions. Rutter’s Farm Stores has launched a new partnership to bring online training services to its employees. The company will work with Ready Training, Inc, a full-service online training company, and Targeted Solutions, a [...]

Attracting and Keeping 18-34-Year-Old Consumers

Attracting and Keeping 18-34-Year-Old Consumers

Do you fully understand your core demographic of 18-34 year old shoppers? Wonder about their price sensitivity toward key products like foodservice and beverages? Join us at the 2011 National Advisory Group (NAG) conference, September 10-13th to hear an exclusive MSA report from its pioneering cciPanel, the consumer research field’s first mobile panel to capture [...]