By John Matthews, founder of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. “Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made. Spaceballs the T-shirt. Spaceballs the lunchbox. Spaceballs the coloring book. Spaceballs… the flamethrower! Kids love it. And my favorite, Spaceballs the Doll — me!” — Yogurt from the movie Spaceballs Merchandising is a critical aspect…
The Customer Service Saboteur
Washington State University student analyzes ways customers get on each other’s nerves. By Eric Sorensen, Contributing Editor There are Some jerks, and then there are jerks. Joel Anaya has given them a fair amount of study, focusing on that very special jerk who can take a routine service experience—dining out, paying at a cash register, air…
Sheetz, MTR Gaming Group Enters Marketing Agreement
“As we prepare to open our newest Sheetz location in Erie, we are pleased to be affiliated with the MTR Gaming Group at Presque Isle Downs & Casino,” says Sheetz spokesperson. Sheetz Inc. has entered into a joint marketing agreement with MTR Gaming Group Inc.’s Presque Isle Downs & Casino property in Erie, Pa. “We…
Are Customers Always Right?
As anyone even remotely associated with the service industry will tell you the customer is king. But a new book is challenging that theory and takes a critical look at the true value of disgruntled customers. For example, in a retail setting, the squeaky wheel almost always winds up getting the grease. Customers tend to…
Tracking the Trends
While the convenience store industry is in a much better position to withstand the strains of the current economic recession, one thing is painfully clear. Customers are changing the way they buy goods and services and retailers must keep up with those changes to avoid becoming obsolete. A new generation of Millennials, those born between…
Meeting the Demand for Convenience
Even during the holiday season customers expect their local c-store not only to be open, but to meet their diverse needs. Every year during the holidays I have cashiers tell me that customers ask them why our stores are open on days like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Customers often remark, “It’s a…
Shell Named Top Gasoline Brand
Shell has been named the “Favorite Gasoline Brand” in Popular Mechanics magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards for the second consecutive year. More than 10,000 Popular Mechanics readers participated in the 2010 survey, which determines readers’ favorite consumer products across more than 30 categories. Among five brand choices, Shell was voted as the preferred gasoline brand. “Shell…
Prepaid Services
Blackhawk Network, a provider of prepaid and financial payments products offers PayPower, a suite of prepaid products and services designed to help consumers stay in control of spending with simple and safe solutions that provide value, transparency and budgeting. The suite of products is targeted to consumers looking for alternatives to traditional financial credit, whether…