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…
Fresh & Easy Slashes Jobs
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…
Retail Gasoline Prices Reverse Higher after Three-month Slide
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…
Gas Stations Experience Sharp Decline In Sales
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…
The Economy Cuts Both Ways on Gasoline
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…
2012 Farm Bill Hearing Excludes Sugar Reform Discussion
“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on General Farm Commodities & Risk Management finished two days of Farm Bill hearings today with no mention of the outdated and costly U.S. sugar program.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…
Renewable Fuels Hearing Set For This Week
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…
New York Considers Minimum Wage Increase
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…
2012 Gets Off To A Strong Start
“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…
Retail Gasoline Prices Likely to Bounce Higher on Halloween
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…