Convenience Store Decisions articles from February 2004

Convenience Store Decisions archives from February 2004

Where are you on the rope?(Editor's Memo)(Jet Food Stores)
February 1, 2004... This Editor's Memo, like my faith, has been tucked away in a drawer, hidden from view, for years. Periodically I would pull it out, dust it off, think about writing it, then put it away again. But this month's cover story (Prophet-driven, p....

Small store, big heart: a retro design, sushi and an open mind help a 735 sq. ft. campus market soar to impressive volumes, without the staples that drive most commercial convenience stores.(Front End)(Village Market convenience store)
February 1, 2004... Janice Torkildsen doesn't mind wearing the label of campus free spirit. Earlier this year, she put her reputation to good use by developing off-the-wall color and design schemes for a new Village Market convenience store at the University of...

Loyalty companion: a robust RFID-based loyalty system builds sales and spurs vendor-driven promotions for Pit Stop.(Front End)(Radio Frequency Identification)
February 1, 2004... Justin Andress remembers a day in September 2002 when he gathered with store managers for Woodfin Oil Co. (Mechanicsville, VA) to prepare for the companywide rollout of an electronic loyalty program. A few of the company's 16 Pit Stop...

Life without labor: while similar unattended concepts have been put on the shelf, Tennessee's SmartMart seems poised for growth.(Front End)
February 1, 2004... Mike Rivalto, CEO, inventor and patent owner of SmartMart, Inc. (Memphis, TN), has found a solution to the "labor problem": He cut it out of the equation. SmartMart is an automated, unmanned convenience store that lets customers shop from the...

Takin' care of business: loyal employees, tireless community support and a diverse c-store offer push Scotchmons to the head of the class.(Front End)
February 1, 2004... It's not uncommon for Gary and Deanna Martin to receive phone calls thanking them for their extraordinarily friendly, uncommonly helpful employees. As co-owners of Scotchmons (Watseka, IL), a two-store chain nestled in the cornfields 90 miles...

Smoke signals: from the "Eight Week Rule" to a "freeze-out" on force-outs, two top tobacco retailers work around the challenges of managing the industry's most volatile category.(Tobacco)
February 1, 2004... Bob Richard will do just about anything to protect his tobacco sales dollars. president of Barney's Convenience Stores (Perrysburg, OH), often drives two hours to Columbus to testify in front of the state legislature regarding tobacco-related...

The National Convenience Store Advisory Group Spring Conference: April 2-5, 2004 * Marriott Grande Dunes * Myrtle Beach, SC.
February 1, 2004... What do you want to be when you grow up? What is the convenience channel's positioning? What does your' brand convey to customers? What is the next wave of retail innovation? How can you better' define and execute market strategies that...

Prophet-driven: Georgia's Jet Food Stores has built its business on a solid foundation: Christian faith.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... It's a few minutes past 8 o'clock on a Monday morning at the headquarters of Jet Food Stores of Georgia Inc., and Vice President--Marketing Clint Hancock is rushing off to another meeting. He can't afford to be late. Hancock enters a...

Bubbling over! Just about every convenience retailer offers coffee and fountain, but these two operators have made dispensed beverages a "destination category.".
February 1, 2004... Keith Broviak wasn't at all surprised when he read a survey that showed students from a local university went Wendy's for dollar-menu burgers and fries but made separate trips to Ricker's stores to complete their meals with fountain drinks. ...

Bulking up coffee.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Cecilware Corp. has acquired Al-Len Enterprises, a pioneer of Portion Control Fresh Ground Coffee Dispensers. The New Al-Len by Cecilware line brings a high-quality, easily cleanable dispenser for all coffee bar demands. Bulk portion control...

Tongue-tied.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Cadbury Adams' Sour Patch Kids Chewy Candy Tongues "paint" kids' tongues with four fun flavors--Cherry Wiggle, Green Apple Smacker, Blue Raspberry Bite and Strawberry Drool. The Chewy Candy Tongues are long, sour-then-sweet candy strips that...

Super-sized wash.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Super 5000 is D&S's popular high-pressure, brushless automatic car wash with vehicle-sizing capability and Power Blaster enhanced wash technology. The Super 5000 features variable speed hydraulic operation, ultrasonic and electronic vehicle...

Lime time.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Coca-Cola Company is adding a dash of citrus flavor to its popular diet soft drink to create a taste that blends contemporary sophistication with familiar refreshment. Diet Coke with Lime is already appearing in c-stores, meeting consumers'...

The paler tea.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... FUZE Beverage, LLC introduces ready-to-drink White Tea, the rarest and finest white tea health conscious consumers have been waiting for. White Tea is gaining popularity in the U.S. due in part to the numerous health benefits. The...

Color me happy.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Ryko Manufacturing Co. introduces an exciting and innovative way to design car washes: the Ryko Color Designer. The Ryko Color Designer makes it easy to design and view color selections for FoamBrite brushes and for the body of the vehicle wash...

Spice things up.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Sara Lee Coffee & Tea introduces new flavors to heat up hot beverages sales: Vanilla Chai, a creamy blend of vanilla, black tea, honey and aromatic spices that will keep customers coming back; and and improved Original Chai, enhancing its taste...

Treasure trove.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... J&J Snack Foods has further extended the Mrs. GoodCookie product line with the addition of Mrs. GoodCookie Gourmet Treasures, gourmet cookies made from a 60% butter-based batter. Mrs. GoodCookie Gourmet Treasures are available in seven unique...

Jam on.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Add excitement to menus with Tampa Maid's Shrimp Jammers, premium tail-on shrimp filled with real cheese and coated in a seasoned breading. Serve alone with a sauce as an appetizer or on a combination plate. Shrimp Jammers are available in...

Cup conscious.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Solo Cups, Lids & Straws introduces a 24-oz. paper cup to complete its quality paper hot cup portfolio. Solo cups and lids are designed and manufactured to work together. Solo's 10-oz. squat, 12-, 16-, 20- and 24-oz. cups have the same rim...

Salty comeback.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Mister Salty returns to store shelves leading a revamped lineup of Kraft Foods' well-known Handi-Snacks snack packs. The revised line now features Mister SaLty Pretzels 'n Cheez, Ritz Crackers 'n Cheez and Premium Breadsticks 'n Cheez. All...

The choice is yours.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... JE Adams Industries introduces a nationwide program called "It's Your Choice," which gives operators the choice between revenue share and outright purchase of their air or air/vacuum machine. Working through the JE Adams authorized distributor...

Moovin' on up.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Previously distributed regionally as White Soda, Sparkling Cow's formulation is targeted to soda drinkers--particularly teens and "tweens"--as a healthier beverage alternative. The fat-free flavors include Luscious Lemon, Outrageous Orange and...

Plush (cell phone) pals.(New Stuff!)
February 1, 2004... Fun Friends is the first company to bring cutting-edge plush technology to cell phones, TV remotes and staplers. Adorable and affordable Fun Friends are a surefire hit with loved ones, friends and co-workers. These furry little critters are the...

It's a nightmare nearly every parent has endured--trying to keep a child from touching a filthy toilet or failing in while using an adult-sized toilet seat in a public restroom.(When nature calls ...)(ZEETS Magical Seats)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... It's a nightmare nearly every parent has endured--trying to keep a child from touching a filthy toilet or failing in while using an adult-sized toilet seat in a public restroom. A new product called ZEETS Magical Seats, from Grandma Dot LLC,...

Rather than asking kids to "hold it," now they can "go" on-the-go with the TravelJohn Jr. Disposable Urinal from Reach Global Industries Inc.(When nature calls ...)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Rather than asking kids to "hold it," now they can "go" on-the-go with the TravelJohn Jr. Disposable Urinal from Reach Global Industries Inc. The TravelJohn Jr. holds up to 20 fl.oz, and can be used multiple times until the volume...