Despite the global recession, convenience stores have thrived thanks to their ability to provide fast service, quality products and great value in strategic locations. As service and location remain the industry’s primary competitive advantage over supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchandisers, many of whom are moving into the fuel and fresh food business, convenience stores [...]
The first-ever Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl is raising money and awareness about the issue of hunger in the U.S. The bowl celebrates the culmination of Kraft Foods’ HUDDLE TO FIGHT HUNGER program, which is the food company’s largest-ever branded initiative to fight hunger in America. The goal of the program is to donate as many [...]
Convenience to customers today means one-stop shopping, short lines at the counter and the ability to get in and out of a store fast. New integrated point-of-sale (POS) solutions are speeding up service and offering customers the convenience they demand thanks to faster processing times. What’s more, they’re saving operators money, labor and time. Finding [...]
On the heels of the successful launch of its Full Throttle energy drink in late 2004, Coca-Cola North America is expanding its growth in the energy drink category with Sugar Free Full Throttle. Sugar Free Full Throttle will hit shelves nationwide in mid-August, in 16-ounce singles and four-can multi-packs. In addition, the “Deal Me In [...]
PriLabs introduces two new energy drinks, Encore and Re5, onto the ever-growing market. For the young generation where music is the lifeline to everyday life, Encore is a refreshing multidimensional brand with an audio/visual identity based on music. The brand connects music and rhythm to an energy drink and its effects on the consumer, and [...]
Dropcards announced it will become the first online marketer to offer clients a way to manage promotions on its site. Food and beverage brands of all sizes will be able to coordinate marketing efforts on the new Dropcards platform from inception to completion of its digital promotions. Dropcards bear aunique PIN number unlocking access to [...]
The Chiquita To Go program offers retailers the opportunity to sell quality bananas and earn higher margins. With Chiquita’s “stay fresh” technology, bananas stay fresh up to seven days longer, significantly reducing waste. Using the Chiquita To Go merchandiser, retailers can place a display of 10 bananas on the counter for increased impulse purchases, attracting [...]
McDonald’s is preparing an aggressive summer promotion targeting core c-store customers. Another month, another challenge for convenience store operators. Where is the legendary Charles Atlas when the big bad bully tries to kick sand in our collective faces? As I’m sure you’ve heard by now this summer’s bully is, once again, McDonald’s. The hamburger chain [...]
Hershey’s Milk & Milkshakes, the “Official Flavored Milk and Milkshakes of Dover International Speedway,” has donated $19,800 to Autism Speaks, an autism science and advocacy organization. The donation was presented during a press event held Sunday, May 16, before the start of the Autism Speaks 400. The $19,800 donation to Autism Speaks is the result [...]
The Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (FPMA) has announced the inauguration of the new Sunshine Food and Fuel Expo to be held in Kissimmee, Fla. The new show will take place from July 18-19 at the Gaylord Palms Resort. Conceived as a key part of FPMA’s ongoing re-engineering efforts, the Sunshine Food and [...]
Taylor, Mich.-based Marfood USA Inc. plans to launch its new Pemmican Web site on April 1 by giving away a free bag of Pemmican Beef Jerky every minute of the day. Consumers must visit www.pemmican.com on April 1 between 12:01am and 11:59pm to register for a chance to win. “We purposely chose April fool’s to [...]
State Tax Grab During 2009, cigarette tax increases were defeated in 19 states and passed into law in 12 states. States where cigarette tax increases were not enacted include: STATE Failed TAX Increase in 2009 Alabama 32.5 cents per pack Connecticut 50 cents per pack Georgia $1 per pack Kansas 95 cents per pack over [...]
As the summer selling season hits its peak, operators must hone best practices to increase market share. Gazing through my crystal ball, I see it boldly predicts summer 2009 is going to bring some very solid sales numbers, indeed greatly increased sales for much of the country. Moreover, as you view this issue of Convenience [...]
The retail sector is still struggling overall, but as some segments continue to sink, others rise. American consumers are still buying billions of dollars of candy each year, and this isn’t changing as they resist making major purchases. Even during a recession, American consumers still have a sweet tooth, which explains why gum and candy [...]
TOP PERFORMERS Living Essential 5-Hour Energy NVE Stacker Upshot (Drinks That Work) HONORABLE MENTIONS BDI Mini Thin Rush NRG Make room for the new kid on the block: Energy shots, those concentrated versions of energy drinks that are beginning to mirror the high sales figures of their parent product. Energy shots have as big a [...]