C-store retailers express optimism as financial conditions continue to slowly improve. by Mel Kleiman, Contributing Editor. While we were able to summarize the major findings of the 2012 CSD/Humetrics Human Resources Benchmarking Survey earlier this year, there are a few more interesting facts to share concerning the responses to our first question: “How was the [...]
Despite job cuts, Tesco continues to fight for the future of Fresh & Easy. Tesco has cut jobs at the Californian headquarters of its struggling Fresh & Easy chain in the U.S, but is still continuing with business as usual, according to Reuters. “In April we said we are taking a more cautious approach [...]
Brian L. Milne Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN After 13 consecutive weeks moving lower, retail gasoline prices snapped the decline, gaining during the first full week of July. Moreover, retail gasoline prices are in position to again increase, while the July 2nd six-month low in the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) U.S. average might hold for [...]
Retail sales are declining across the board, and gas stations receive the biggest blow. Retail sales declined by 0.5% in June, following declines in May and April as more consumers cut spending on goods and services, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported. The biggest decline in sales occurred at gas stations, which is a good [...]
By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Retail gasoline prices continue to decline as a host of bearish issues arise, while talks this week with Iran and the permanent five members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany offer the prospect of further easing in the likelihood from this year’s greatest threat [...]
“We are disappointed that the Agriculture Committee denied our request to testify at either of the commodity hearings,” says NCA president. The House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities & Risk Management finished two days of Farm Bill hearings today with no mention of the outdated and costly U.S. sugar program. The National Confectioners [...]
House Subcommittee to hold hearing on renewable fuels liability bill. This Thursday, Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) of the House Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will hold a hearing on the “Domestic Fuels Act of 2012” (H.R. 4345), which would provide a legal and regulatory pathway for retailers to sell EPA-approved fuels including E15. Witnesses [...]
Small-business owners in New York upset over plan to raise the minimum wage. The New York state legislature is considering increasing the minimum wage in the state by $1.25 to $8.50, and also index it to inflation, the New York Post reported. A spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he is “optimistic” that the [...]
“As a traditionally slower sales month for the industry, it’s encouraging to see such sustained growth in consumer spending and sentiment,” says NRF CEO. Building on the momentum of a strong holiday shopping season and propelled by gift card redemptions and warm weather, retailers’ January sales saw solid growth across the board. According to the [...]
As expected, the Energy Information Administration’s US retail gasoline price average fell during the week-ended Oct. 24 following an increase during the previous week, and has now moved lower in seven of the past eight weeks. For the final week of October, we’re likely to see an increase in the average although wholesale gasoline prices [...]
With operating costs soaring in a sluggish economy, convenience store owners have a variety of tax benefits available to them from the IRS. By Mark E. Battersby, Contributing Editor. Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service advised taxpayers to cool their heels and wait until mid- to late-February 2011 before filing their returns to allow [...]
Shoppers battered by the recession are much less willing to absorb high gas prices and increasing store prices. Just as the CPG industry was beginning to show signs of growth, a new hurdle emerged: rising gas prices. With national gas prices 40% higher on average today than a year ago, many shoppers are having difficulty [...]
“Our industry continues to play an integral role in providing jobs and revenue necessary to heal our recovering economy,” says Beer Institute president. A new Economic Impact study conducted by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) shows America’s beer industry—made up of brewers, beer importers, beer distributors, brewer suppliers and retailers—directly [...]
Economists are raising their forecasts for employment growth in 2011, as various job readings are suggesting that the long-awaited hiring boom is arriving or is just around the corner, CNN reported. “It’s about time,” economist Robert Brusca of FAO Economics told CNN. This Friday, the monthly employment report from the Department of Labor, will give [...]
Gas prices have soared to the highest price of the year, topping $3 a gallon, The Citizens’ Voice reported. For the first time since Oct. 2008, gas prices have risen to an average of $3.05 a gallon in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa. area, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. The national average price of self-serve regular gas sits [...]