Study by the NACS/ Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council (CCRRC) identifies five new platforms that can drive convenience retail growth. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. A newly released report from the NACS/Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council (NACS/CCRRC) is providing insights into what motivates shoppers to spend more of their hard-earned dollars inside convenience stores. “We began the…
Karl Goodhouse, CEO of Clark Brands, Passes Away
Karl Goodhouse, founder and chief executive of Clark Brands LLC has died at age 57 after a brief battle with cancer. As president and CEO, Goodhouse was responsible for the overall direction of Clark Brands over the last eight years. He took on the duties of guiding all sales and marketing efforts for Clark as…
Dunkin’ Donuts Franchisee Plans New Locations
Franchise opportunities with Dunkin’ Donuts are still available in Ottumwa, Iowa. Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchisee, Savoureux Corp., for 12 new restaurants in North Omaha, Neb. and Sioux City, Iowa, with the first restaurant planned to open in 2013. Savoureux Corp. is led by NFL greats and former…
Fikes Wholesale Acquires Taylor Food Mart
“This agreement truly represents a win-win for all parties involved,” says Fikes Wholesale CEO. Fikes Wholesale Inc., parent company of the 194 location CEFCO Convenience Stores Chain based in Temple, Texas, has successfully acquired the retail interests of 63 Taylor Food Mart Stores from Taylor Petroleum Co. based in Amarillo, Texas. The Taylor Food Marts…
Shell Bolsters Loyalty
The Fuel Rewards Network, an extension of its Grocer Rewards program, is enhancing the brand proposition for Shell marketers and wholesalers. By John Lofstock, Editor. The competition for customers has never been so furious. Consumers have more and more choices every day, and the right customer loyalty program has the power to make or break…
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…
Couche-Tard Pushes U.S. Expansion
When Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. was presented with CSD’s Chain of the Year honors in 2007, the company’s smart, strong growth was cited as the foundation for the honor. A little more than two years later and not much has changed. The company is still regarded as one of the savviest marketers in two countries, and…
Managing Today’s Retail Workforce
Because major shifts in the economy have created unparalleled effects on the labor market, Convenience Store Decisions and Humetrics Inc. collaborated on our first ever human resources study in order to help convenience store owners understand the actions those in our industry are taking–or planning to take–in the coming months. An in-depth survey asked more…
Innovation Drives Frozen Sales
TOP PERFORMERS Coca-Cola Co. PepsiCo ICEE (J&J Snack Foods) HONORABLE MENTIONS F’Real! Foods Dr Pepper (Dr Pepper Snapple Group) Slush Puppie (J&J Snack Foods) It’s little surprise that The Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo were ranked as top performers in the dispensed cold beverages category, but innovators like J&J Snack Foods and F’Real! are certainly…
The Maine Thing
If you’re driving north or south along a crooked road just inside Maine’s Atlantic coast, you’re eating up New England’s northernmost scenery on Interstate 95. Trucking southbound through the state’s southern belly, you might stop off for gas in the town of Waterville and find J&S Oil’s Xpress Stop Service Station sitting just off the…