Fifteen years ago, a young physicist named KenOuimet saw a strong correlation between the behaviorsof consumers and atoms. The analogy led him to developsoftware based on mathematics developed in theoretical physics that forecasts human buying behavior and incorporatesnew evidence in real time to update the forecast. Thus was priceoptimization software (POS) born. Today, Ouimet’s software [...]
“The majority of ‘new’ ideas are simply new interpretations of old ideas,” said Louie Sheetz, vicepresident of marketing for Sheetz Inc. “Over thelast 30 years, we’ve taken advantage of opportunities like this Foodservice Show and NACS to learn from others. Alot of success in this industry is capturing an idea you’ve seen andchanging it to [...]
For a lot of customers, the firstand last thing they see when theyapproach a convenience store arethe gas pumps. Unfortunatelyfor some retailers, the pumps may also bethe only part of the store a customer seesduring their visit. Thanks to the combination of low fuel margins and high creditcard fees, selling only gasoline is a no-winproposition [...]
Business success requires decisive action. Get ready, get set, whoa Nelly,hold on a minute. The failureto act decisively, to implement important decisions that are clearly in the best interests of thecompany, is a trend that we’ve noticed alot lately working with marketers around the country. To remain competitive and relevantin today’s tough business environmentrequires marketers [...]
After a successful test of a proprietary chicken program at 60 stores, the chain is preparing a company-wide rollout. With over 150 stores,Fas Mart and Shore Stop’smarket strategy focuses onspeed, quality and convenience for its customers. Its primary goalis to continuously improve the speed andthe quality of goods it offers consumers. Throughout its growth and [...]
While the interview will always be the heart and soul of the hiring process, if you're not doing the preinterview, screening work (completed applications and testing for the needed capacities, attitudes, personality or skills), you're not using all the resources available to you. Why jump into interviewing when you don't know if the applicant even [...]
The good news for conveniencestore owners is that industry foodservice sales continued climbingin 2006 and the forecast for theupcoming year is just as strong. The badnews, however, is that other retail channelsare keying in on food sales and are keenlyfocused on diverting your customers totheir coffee bars, quick-service restaurants(QSRs) and supermarkets. Predicting just how long [...]
Product sampling and a thorough understanding of customers helps form an effective foodservice marketing plan. I remember my first managerial job in foodservice retail. The year was1987 and I was a manager trainee forLittle Caesars Pizza. I had just completed an eight-week apprenticeship andwas named company store manager inNorthbrook, Ill. Northbrook is a well-to-dosuburb of [...]
It’s no secret that the cost of accepting credit cards is reaching dire newheights. According to the most recentNational Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) State of the Industry (SOI)report, retailers were burned for an estimated $6.6 billion dollars in credit cardprocessing fees—an increase of over $1 billion from the prior year. Accepting credit cards has [...]
The novelty category provides retailers with a uniqueopportunity to capture customers’personal hobbies and interests ina single, high-margin item. Whether it isa mother searching for the perfect Disneykey chain for her daughter or a young car enthusiast looking for a hat to wear to the big race, novelty items run the gamut andconvenience stores are faced [...]
Retailers are creating a buzz with new foodservice concepts— with some help from vendors and suppliers. There’s more than one wayto skin a cat, just like there’smore than one way to run a convenience foodservice program.Some retailers don’t know where to start,so they team up with branded conceptsthat lay everything out for them. Othersknow what [...]
It has been said time and again that youcan’t put a price on having an outstanding imageand offering great service. For BP, however, thatprice is $36 million–that’s what the oil supermajor is investing in a long-term advertising campaignto reach out to convenience store and petroleum customers with giveaways, in-store promotions and topromote its emphasis on [...]
Patience doesn't come easy, but it can haveits rewards. Nowhere is that more evident thanby observing the foodservice programs at Exxon Mobil Corp. and Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes. Bothchains have refined their food segments over severalyears to come up with the right menu to meet the needsof core customers, and that's why Convenience StoreDecisions [...]
The type of equipment and its efficiencies play a major part in the success of a foodservice offering. Forget that crusty, old buttered roll grandpa picked up atthe corner store to complementhis morning coffee back in the day.Forget about those tiny bags of pretzelsor chips that used to suffice as a “meal onthe go” during [...]
With a short life, big margins and a susceptibility to promotions, lighters can illuminate sales with the right variety and display. Lighters were once a ways toa mean—to light up a cigarette,ignite a candle or fire up a birthday cake—but they’ve evolved into a form of self-expression. David Dill,vice president of sales and marketing forJacksonville, [...]