There are various challenges retailers face with accepting credit cards. Acceptance of credit cards is generally purported to be positive for a business’ growth, but can pose an assortment of issues for business owners. Reconciling credit card payments with cash register (POS) information can be harrowing, unless you have a checkout system that integrates both…
Canadian C-Stores Applaud Late Night Safety Standards
“The industry has social responsibilities, and individual employers have a direct responsibility to protect their employees and the public from risk of harm,” says president of WCSA. The Western Convenience Stores Association (WCSA) commended the Government of Saskatchewan for recognizing best practices proven to protect employees and the public during late night retail hours. “We’re…
Integrating New PCI Standards
Point-of-sale attacks at merchant locations have highlighted weaknesses in POS systems integration. Most of these attacks can be traced back to remote-access portals that were inadequately secured. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. More than a few c-store operators grow anxious at the mention of anything to do with PCI compliance, and who can blame them.…
Combating C-Store Theft
Typically, convenience stores can experience a few gasoline thefts a week. But when prices increase, some stores see several gas thefts a day. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor When times get hard, thieves get industrious and innovative. The response by convenience store operators must be twofold: extensive background checks on potential employees to weed out…
Cash Isn’t King at Cleveland Car Washes
American Pride has switched from cash-based operations to tokens, and customers are coming back stronger than ever. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Brian Costa operates five American Pride car washes in the Cleveland area. All told, there are 29 self-service bays and six touchless automatics. Until early 2000 each location was quarter-based. Then, when the…
Secure in the Convenience Store
Internet-based surveillance systems are combating shrink and protecting employees. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Increasingly in society, it seems security equals surveillance, especially at retail. Internet-based security systems are part of that trend, helping operators by tracking and recording every transaction and thereby decreasing the amount of thefts by both customers and employees. Even better,…
Staying Safe in the Convenience Store
Handling cash is the bread and butter of convenience store operations, and the latest systems developed to make that process faster and safer do just that. But not all quarters of the industry have been quick to embrace them by any means. For many operators, changes still lie in the future, and time-honored standard practices…
The Evolution of Cash Management
Smart safes are getting smarter and so are the convenience store operators who use them. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor It’s all about the money, so handle it intelligently. Having a smart safe—and training employees to use it effectively—relieves a lot of the traditional headaches associated with handling cash, according to Los Angeles-based retail security…
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…
Integrating POS Solutions
Speed of service is crucial, but with all the services that convenience stores offer today communication between machines is key. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Greater speed of service and reduced operational costs can both be achieved through new integrated point-of-sale (POS) solutions. Case in point: Kocolene Marketing LLC in Seymour, Ind., which is making…