Convenience Store Decisions articles from December 2006

Convenience Store Decisions archives from December 2006

Have a question? Ask the experts.(termination of employee on theft)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Q: I recently caught an employee stealing and fired him on the spot. I'm wondering now how most managers handle this situation and what I can do to prevent it from happening again? A: "Employee theft accounts for most shrink, and the most...

Let the good times flow: five questions with Nestle Waters' Steve Seager about why he expects bottled water sales to overtake carbonated soft drinks in the next five years.(Backroom)
December 1, 2006... "New product trends come and go almost weekly in the convenience store industry, but few trends in the last two decades have had the staying power of bottled water. Thanks to new twists on the bottled water segment, such as the...

CSD vs. The Hulk.(Convenience Store Decisions)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Hulk Hogan was among the celebrity guests at the 2006 NACS Show in Las Vegas in October. "The Hulk" was on hand to promote his new energy drink powered by Socko, aptly named "Hulk Energy." At a private beverage screening at The Palms hotel, CSD...

Securing the front line: combining both top-of-the-line technology and in-depth training, Circle K is taking strong steps in the field of cash management.
December 1, 2006... Cash management and security are essential components of any c-store operation. Retail venues of all types run high risks of robbery--from both internal and external sources--but c-stores face a higher risk due to the inherent nature of the...

Inside Valero's "Core" distribution strategy: a partnership with Core-Mark ensures category managers are armed with the most up-to-date sales data.(RETAILER: PROFILE)
December 1, 2006... It's hard to climb to the top if you don't have someboholding the ladder steady. Nobody knows this better than the CSD's 2006 Chain of the Year Valero Energy Corp. The San Antonio-based operator has made it no secret that its success is built...

Bringing products to market: with so many items to choose from, CSD examines what retailers expect from distributors and suppliers.(Cover story)
December 1, 2006... New" is a tricky term when it comes to product introductions in the convenience channel. There are few actual unique product launches along the lines of Red Bull anymore. The majority of new products come in the form of line extensions of...

Teen Trendspotters.
December 1, 2006... At the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Trendspotter sessions, teen volunteer participants admitted to being frequent c-store shoppers, spending anywhere from $20 to $100 each week on a gamut of items, including energy drinks,...

Southeast Petro-Food show slated for March.
December 1, 2006... The Southeast Petro-Food Marketing Exposition will be holding its 26th regional show March 7-8, 2007, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The expo, started by the North Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association in...

Hot Stuff snaps up Lettieri's.
December 1, 2006... Hot Stuff Foods (www.hotstufffoods.com) has acquired Lettieri's Inc. (www.lettieris.com), a manufacturer of ready-made food products. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the companies said the acquisition is being funded by Hot...

VeraSun Energy Corp.(Decision Makers)
December 1, 2006... VeraSun Energy Corp., the nation's second-largest ethanol producer, announced two additions to its management team. Bob Antoine will move into his new role as senior vice president of human resources, bringing more than 25 years of experience...

UST Inc.(Decision Makers)
December 1, 2006... UST Inc. announced the election of Murray Kessler as chief executive officer of the company's board of director, effective Jan. 1, 2007. Kessler succeeds Vincent Girer who will retire as CEO at the end of this year and serve as nonexecutive...

Core-Mark Holding Co. Inc.(appointment of Stacy Loretz-Congdon)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Core-Mark Holding Co. Inc. announced that Stacy Loretz-Congdon has been named senior vice president and chief financial officer. She has worked for the company for 16 years in various roles, her most recent serving as vice president, treasurer...

Federal Industries.(appointment of John Minahan)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Federal Industries recently named John Minahan to serve as the company's new president. He will assume responsibility for the management of operations and products worldwide, and will help the company continue to grow as an industry leader in...

Hot Stuff Foods.(appointment of John Barber)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... John Barber has been named Hot Stuff Foods' new executive vice president of development. Barber will lead the company's franchise and license sales efforts with his strategic management, sales and development skills. Prior to joining Hot Stuff...

Brown has green in the black: buoyed by Eby-Brown's "Speed to Market" program, Green Oil is quickly capitalizing on emerging sales trends.(RETAILER: PROFILE)
December 1, 2006... Retailers of all sizes can benefit from good partnerships. Take Fairburn, Ga.-based Green Oil Inc., as an example. The company operates six stores and two truck stops, but it also has a hand in the efforts of its 114 dealer stores. Green...

A partner you can trust.(wholesalers provide help convinience store owners better sales)(Report)
December 1, 2006... In the battle to be the first to market with new products, retailers face fierce competition from other industry operators and cross-channel marketers. Despite the battle for that share of wallet, chains have come to depend on their...

The spice of life: as foodservice flourishes, open Pantry is getting its "fare share" by serving up authentic ethnic dishes.
December 1, 2006... Anyone can throw a little Tabasco sauce in meat, wrap it in a tortilla and say they have a Mexican program. It's another thing to cull an offer after trekking the Southwest to find the real deal in authentic flavors and ingredients, which is...

Valero celebrates in style: CSD honors the San Antonio marketer as its 2006 Chain of the Year.(Front End)
December 1, 2006... In this age of cut-throat competition, few chains are able to rise above the acrimony to stand out as a model corporate citizen. Valero Energy Corp. is at the top of that list, and that's why it was no surprise that more than 300 retailers and...

On the road with Kwik Trip: outstanding customer service and a solid commitment to employees have the Wisconsin chain firmly embedded in the Midwest's retail landscape.(Front End)(Interview)
December 1, 2006... Publisher's Q&A In her continued quest to speak with retailers excelling in their markets of operations, CSD publisher Shahla Hebets traveled to La Crosse, Wis., to meet with Steve Loehr, vice president of operations support for Kwik Trip...

Financing for the future.
December 1, 2006... In the summer of 2005, Meridian, Miss.-based Deweese Enterprises Inc., owner-operator of the Super Stop! convenience store chain, completed a $30 million deal that significantly improved the company's bottom line. Deweese sold 24 Super Stop...

McLane delivers the goods: retailers laud the distributor's commitment to the industry, technology and new products.(RETAILER: PROFILE)
December 1, 2006... Sam Anderson operates in one of the most competitive markets in the country. Rather than fret about the daunting task of outselling the likes of Sheetz, Wawa and GetGo, he is focused on utilizing the tools at his disposal to put Pump n Pantry...

Tomorrow's success begins today: the time to create a winning game plan for attracting and retaining top employees is right now.
December 1, 2006... I've been talking with two friends about the possibility of running the Chevron Houston Marathon together this January. We kicked the idea around for a couple of months, but didn't actually sign up. When I finally checked out the race...

Little cigars, big profit.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Lane Limited has expanded its line of Winchester Little Cigars include Winchester Little Cigars Original Blend, Flavored, Milds and Menthol. In addition to newly designed packaging, the launch is being supported by a new trade magazine...

Seasoned seeds.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Spitz Sunflower Seeds has launched two great new sunflower seed flavors--Chili-Lime and Smoky BBQ. Both are available in 6-oz. and 8-oz. sizes. Smoky BBQ is available in the new 2.25-oz. Lil' Grab size, along with Salted and Dill flavors. Spitz...

Shockwaves in the coffee world.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... With the release of a new product from Shock Coffee, everyone can find a way to stock up on extra caffeine. Shock-ACino will be added to the popular coffee line, providing a new way for time-crunched coffee-a-holics to get a boost. The new...

Xmas (tree skirt) support.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... One of the new unique products perfect for holiday season is the Christmas Tree Skirt Support. The skirt is placed around the tree stand and serves as the perfect way to lift a tree skirt off the floor while protecting it from water, sap and...

Juice with a kick.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Kronik Energy continues to expand its energy drink portfolio with the launch of its newest 16-oz. drink offering: Kronik Entourage. The company's new Kronik Entourage formulation--a juice and energy blend using 80% juice as its base--features...

Hip to be square.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Hunt Brothers Pizza introduces its new thin crust pizza in a 12" square shape. In taste and promotional tests, the pizza has proved a popular addition to convenience store offerings. Point-of-purchase materials for inside and outside the stores...

Limited-time lights.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... The New Battery-Free Flashlight, now available through McLane Co., provides an incremental sales opportunity of a unique item with extraordinary customer appeal. The product is not widely available and needs no power source--30 minutes of super...

Demon in a blue can.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... The Coca Cola Co. introduces its newest member of the gang--Full Throttle Blue Demon. This great, crisp alternative beverage is intended for guys ages 20 to 30 with a blue-collar mentality. The new drink is the first in the Coca-Cola product...

Dispensing done right.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Dispense-Rite's STL-2 Series is a new cup dispenser so advanced in design, yet simplistic in nature, that it will change the dispensing market for years to come. The dispenser features several major benefits: fits 8-oz. to 44-oz. cups, no...

Deli-to-Go.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Marketfare Foods has introduced another size option to their line of gourmet Bistro To-Go Deli Sub Sandwiches. The new size is perfect for customers who have regular appetites, delivers a hearty helping, ranging from 5.26- to 6.4-oz. and...

Biofuel planning.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... DTN announced the release of ProphetX Ethanol Edition, a new version of the popular ProphetX platform. It is a convenient, real-time solution that provides ethanol producers and investors with up-to-the-minute information, unbiased analytical...

Stackable profits.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Structural Plastics introduces its new Benchmaster R 4'x 4' Tiered Cart that is the perfect display for indoor merchandising. Multiple selling levels make for an attractive look with tons of extra space. The display can be used for...

New Year promotion.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Miller Advantage introduces a new promotion for Foster's drinkers, "Bring It 2007." The promotion, for off-premise accounts, will run from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28. Customers who purchase any Foster's 12-pack during that time will receive a...

Oooh brother!(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Bliss Beverage's flagship product, Socko Energy, has unveiled its new high-impact flavor: Hogan Energy Powered by Socko. The drink features the brand's first redesigned and co-branded can with a specially designed Hulk Hogan image. The beverage...

Bubbly refreshment.(Products to Watch in 2007)
December 1, 2006... Follett Corp.'s new Vision ice and beverage dispenser can deliver carbonation levels comparable to that found in canned or bottled beverages. The dispenser is available with an optional ice water bath that is used to chill the beverage water...

Time is on 7-Eleven's side.(Plugged In)
December 1, 2006... 7-Eleven is playing ball with the Chicago White Sox in a deal to have weekday evening games starting at, you guessed it, 7:11 P.M. RetailWire Instant Poll Results: How will raising 7-Eleven's profile with the White Sox deal affect the...

Nice guys finish first.(work environment)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... A cultural shift is taking place in American business with a greater emphasis on personal civility and corporate responsibility. Not surprisingly, companies that follow this rule are the same ones that have gained distinction as best in serving...

FDA isn't cloning around with meat and milk.(Plugged In)
December 1, 2006... The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is moving closer to approving the sale of meat and milk from cloned farm animals in food stores. RetailWire Instant Poll Results: Should special labeling be required to identify...

The brightest in 2006.(convinience store employees)
December 1, 2006... For the past 12 months, Convenience Store Decisions has showcased some of the best and brightest category management decision makers from across the convenience store and petroleum industry. As 2006 comes to a close and the industry gears up...

Moist smokeless sales continue gains: category is the only tobacco segment to record year-on-year spikes since 2002.(Category Update: Tobacco)
December 1, 2006... A CSD Staff Report The moist smokeless tobacco (MST) category is the only growing tobacco category, and has been increasing at 4-6% per year consistently since 2002. Over the past few years, the MST category has developed three distinct...