Convenience Store Decisions articles from December 2004

Convenience Store Decisions archives from December 2004

Your best weapon: your brain.(Editor's Memo)(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... Every multi-billion-dollar company started out as an idea. Every slam-dunk ad campaign began with a simple thought that gathered steam. Every product that ever sank or swam in the history of our universe was triggered by the firing of a neuron...

Cashing in on credit: rising credit card fees got you down? Some retailers have convinced many credit customers to "trade down" to cash.(Front End)(Bell Shoals CITGO)
December 1, 2004... Bill McKnight, owner of Automated Petroleum & Energy Co. (Brandon, FL), remembers in the 1980s when all major oil companies offered discounts to customers who paid for their gas purchases with cash. As he has watched pump prices steadily head...

Hot stuff for 2005: next month rings in a new year, bringing with it plenty of never-before-seen product innovations.(Front End)
December 1, 2004... The low-carb fad that swept the U.S. market in 2004 sparked the launches of more than 3,100 new food and beverage items through late November. But the trend has begun to wind down, leaving the door open to new developments in 2005, ranging from...

Wawa gets booked.(Front End)(Wawa Inc.is the subject of a new book from Arcadia Publishing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Wawa Inc. (Wawa, PA), which today operates more than 550 convenience stores in five states, is the subject of a new book from Arcadia Publishing (888-313-2665; www.arcadiapublishing.com). The book spans parts of three centuries in detailing...

Sheetz orders up endless breakfast options.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Sheetz Inc. (Altoona, PA) specializes in giving its customers plenty of options. It's pushing that concept to the max with "The Possibilities are Endless, Made To Order Breakfast." Now available at Sheetz stores 24 hours a day, seven days a...

Rutter's is thrilled about 'Tornados' hitting its stores.(Rutter's Farm Stores)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Chicken wings, corn dogs and "Tornados" will form the basis for a mid-afternoon "munchy menu" at Rutter's Farm Stores (York, PA) locations. All these new snack-type items carry price points ranging from 99 cents to $1.99. Rutter's boneless...

VERC enterprises labors to slash turnover costs.(VERC Enterprises Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... In the 13 years that brothers Leo and Paul Vercollone have operated VERC Enterprises Inc. (Duxbury, MA), maintaining strong sales has never been a problem. Since 1991, when their father and company founder Eugene Vercollone retired, the...

Wawa gathers intelligence.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Wawa Inc. (Wawa, PA), a $2 billion operator of more than 540 convenience stores that serve 300 million customers per year, has selected business intelligence software company Business Objects (www.businessobjects.com) to provide assistance in...

7-Eleven Inc.(Decision Makers)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 7-Eleven Inc. (Dallas, TX) has added Paul G. Rostron as senior vice president, human resources. Rostron will oversee all aspects of the company's human resource function, including staffing, compensation and benefits, training and...

On January 1, Howard Stoeckel will succeed Richard D. Wood Jr. as CEO of Wawa Inc. (Wawa, PA).(Decision Makers)(Chief Executive Officers)(Appointments & Retirements)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... On January 1, Howard Stoeckel will succeed Richard D. Wood Jr. as CEO of Wawa Inc. (Wawa, PA). Stoeckel, currently president and chief operating officer, is the first person to fill the post who is not a member of the founding Wood family. Wood...

Rutter's Farm Stores.(Decision Makers)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Rutter's Farm Stores (York, PA) has named Krista Jenkins vice president of human resources for its three companies--the retail chain, a dairy and a real-estate holding company--and more than 800 employees. Before coming to Rutter's, Jenkins...

First Data Corp.(Decision Makers)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... First Data Corp. has named Michele Hanson-Emerson senior vice president of its petroleum industry group. In her new role, Hanson-Emerson will guide market development, client development and enterprise sales initiatives to enhance First Data's...

Swisher International.(Decision Makers)(promotions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Swisher International has promoted Bill Dunn and Donnie Shadburn from directors of national accounts to vice presidents--sales; and Mark Turner and Bill Schoep to directors--national accounts. Dunn will be responsible for the eastern U.S.,...

Kellogg Co.(Decision Makers)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Kellogg Co. Chairman of the Board and CEO Carlos Gutierrez has accepted an invitation from President Bush to serve as Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce. The Kellogg board has elected James M. Jenness as the company's chief...

Lawson Software.(Decision Makers)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Michelle Stroup has been named industry marketing director for retail at Lawson Software. Working in conjunction with product management, market development, marketing communications, pre-sales, sales and services, Stroup will be responsible...

Hershey Foods Corp.(Decision Makers)(Promotions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Thomas Joyce has been promoted to vice president, customer and industry affairs for Hershey Foods Corp. Joyce is responsible for maintaining the relationships Hershey has with its retailer customers and ensuring the company's leadership role...

TNT Marketing.(Decision Makers)(Store Brokers)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... National convenience store broker TNT Marketing recently added several new employees to its growing team of "c-storologists." As Southeast regional manager for TNT, Phyllis Trammell will be responsible for retail/wholesale accounts in Georgia...

Ryko Manufacturing Co.(Decision Makers)(appointment)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Scott G. Clawson has become president and CEO of Ryko Manufacturing Co., replacing its founder and former CEO James Nelson; Nelson will remain active in the business as its chairman. Before joining Ryko, Clawson was president of Gilbarco...

Stop-N-Go of Medina Inc.(Retailer Spotlight)(Awards)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Becky Shotwell, president and owner of Stop-N-Go of Medina Inc. (Medina, OH), has been chosen by Leadership Medina County as its first recipient of the Excellence in Business Leadership Award. Award winners are selected on their significant...

What's the big idea? Stuff your stocking with ideas for making more money in 2005.(Cover Story)
December 1, 2004... New ideas are the lifeblood of our industry. They give our stores the opportunity to grow and adapt to market conditions, and expand into virgin territory. The editors of CSD have compiled some of the industry's best ideas for putting more...

Better baking.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... MIWE offers the Backcombi, a combination of MIWE's Condo and Aeromat ovens, in which retailers have the advantage of both circulating and stationary baking. A baking control system allows each baking chamber to be regulated separately. And the...

Taste tempter.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Muncheze Breaded Appetizers, the unique beef appetizers that have created a hot new foodservice trend, are now available fully cooked. These delicious products can be heated in the oven or microwave for quick and easy preparation. Retailers can...

Muffin-to-go.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... The Nutri-Grain Muffin bars line not only carries strong brand recognition and credibility, but also offers top-selling flavors. Recent additions to the Nutri-Grain line--blueberry and banana muffin bars--answer customer calls for more classic...

Sweet valentine.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Just Born introduces its Valentine's Decorating Kit, sure to entice fans who want to personalize their Peeps. The new Peeps Decorating Kit comes with a 4-ct. tray of pink Peeps marshmallow candy hearts, one tube of either red or white Cake Mate...

Grrilling up profits.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Gold Medal Products introduces the new #8160 Grrilla Reciprocating Hot Dog Grill. This patent-pending grill offers a host of features and benefits not available in any other fence grill on the market today. The Grrilla cooks up to 60 hot dogs...

Dandy candy.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Haribo of America Inc. introduces Pico-Balla, vibrant multi-colored chewy candy bits with an intense combination of creamy fruity fillings, to its extensive line of world-renowned quality candy. Each piece is brightly colored and sure to...

Pint-sized pleasure.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Napoli Boys Italian Ice is now producing its tasty Italian Ices in pint-size containers. With six flavors currently in the product line--mango, chocolate, strawberry kiwi, cherry, lemon and blue raspberry--additional seasonal flavors and...

Nostalgia marketing.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Another vintage favorite is back this season with the return of Cadbury Adams' Nostalgia gum brands--Black Jack, with its classic licorice taste; Beemans, with its stomach-settling properties, since it contains pepsin; and Clove, with its spicy...

Phone fanatics.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Often consumers are overwhelmed by the large selection of cellular plugs available, and are frustrated in trying to open the clamshell package once they have the correct plug. Las Vegas Fabulous Celcessories solves both of these consumer...

Super (party) promotion.(New Stuff!)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Get beer-loving football fans ready to make a "good call" for Super Party 2005 with Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft. Sports personalities Chris Berman and Tom Jackson are back to remind consumers that a great Super Party needs the great...

Top of mind.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Captivating Headgear has been providing headwear to truck stops and convenience stores for 13 years, offering many successful sales programs, like its $5.99 each/two-for-$10 program. The cost per cap is $3.50, and Captivating Headgear provides...

Tea temptations.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Tetley Harris Food Group introduces Kokoro, a line of organic specialty and herbal enveloped teas, in order to provide customers with a timely, on-trend tea product to meet the demand for better overall health and well-being beverages. Kokoro...

Free at last.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... In an effort to help consumers identify it as a soft drink free of sugar, calories, carbs and caffeine, the beverage formerly known as Diet Sierra Mist becomes Sierra Mist Free on packaging. The "shockingly refreshing" lemon-lime taste and...

Simple solution.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Delicious and nutritious, U.S. Nutrition introduces two brand new bars that will keep snack-seeking, low-carb dieters coming back for more. Available in blueberry crumb pie and caramel peanut crunch, new Carb Solutions Crunch Bars are packed...

Breathe easier.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... The hottest-selling asthma relief product on the market today, Ephedrine Plus, is helping millions of people breathe easier. With its dual-acting formula--a combination of a bronchiodilator and expectorant--Ephedrine Plus provides temporary...

Sign of the times.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Rose Displays Ltd., a leading provider of signware solutions, introduces its latest product innovation with AnoFrame MultiSystem. Always cut to the customer's exact specifications, this new panel display option gives retailers complete freedom...

Cool customer.(New Stuff!)
December 1, 2004... Hoshizaki America Inc. introduces the Serenity Series Cubelet Ice Machine, which produces up to 1,000-lbs. of ice per 24 hours, and features a space-saving design. The shallow depth provides easy access to the dispenser bin and the pump...

Wrist watchers: 7-Eleven adds to trend of selling wristbands to support worthy causes.(BackRoom)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Following the enormous success of the "LIVESTRONG" bracelet from cancer survivor and champion bicyclist Lance Armstrong, 7-Eleven Inc. (Dallas, TX) has launched its own wristband for another noble cause--supporting U.S. troops. 7-Eleven is...

Advertising's final frontier? Forget TV. Radio shmadio. Billboards? Puh-lease. Why not advertise where you know consumers have their eyes and ears trained: their cell phones.(BackRoom)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Imagine having the power to send advertising messages directly to devices in the palms and pants pockets of your best customers. Well, now you do. Services from marketing vendors like Telalert.com (www.telalert.com) enable retailers to send...