Convenience Store Decisions articles from July 2006

Convenience Store Decisions archives from July 2006

C-stores with no cashiers? the concept of tomorrow is being offered today.(Special Technology Report: AT Systems)
July 1, 2006... For convenience store retailers, cashiers embody both the assets and the liabilities of running a cash-intensive business. Cashiers provide the face and the feel for store operations, but also the risk from cash and cash handling in the form of...

A different world: technological advances in Asia could have far-reaching implications on the U.S. convenience industry, from cell phone payment to RFID to the networked store.(Backroom: "Stuff you need that we didn't have room for anyplace else")
July 1, 2006... It's one thing when your grandmother, who still favors the rotary telephone, is impressed by technology. It's another when it's Scott Hartman. President of Rutter's Farm Stores, a 50-unit chain based in central Pennsylvania, Hartman is...

Campus competition: from coast to coast, colleges and universities operate campus convenience stores, offering everything from entrees to organics--and they say, they're not in it for the money.
July 1, 2006... Forget Ramen noodles and those little boxes of cereal that wouldn't satisfy a baby's grumbling stomach. The college convenience store has evolved into much more. Consider Harvard University, the storied Ivy Leaguer in Cambridge, Mass. A...

The Kroger Co.(DecisionMakers)
July 1, 2006... The Kroger Co. has promoted Van Tarver to vice president of its Convenience Store Division. In addition to the company's 791 convenience stores, Tarver will oversee Kroger's fuel procurement and its Turkey Hill Dairy operation. Tarver brings...

The National Association of Convenience Stores.(DecisionMakers)
July 1, 2006... The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) announced two staff additions: Matt Danzig has joined as supplier membership and sales manager, and Erin Mitchell will be retail member services coordinator. Danzig's responsibilities...

FKI Logistex.(DecisionMakers)
July 1, 2006... FKI Logistex annonced that Martin Clark has been promoted to the position of director of marketing and business development for FKI Logistex Manufacturing Systems North America. Clark, an industry veteran with more thn 20 years of material...

NRC Realty Advisors LLC.(DecisionMakers)
July 1, 2006... NRC Realty Advisors LLC announces it has hired Avry Davidovich as senior vice president, business development. He will be responsible for expanding the company's opportunities in the c-store industry as it relates to both divestitures and real...

Radiant Systems.(Jimmy Frangis promoted)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Radiant Systems announces it has promoted Jimmy Frangis vice president, sales for its global petroleum and convenience retail division. Frangis will be responsible for setting sales strategy and overseeing sales operations for the company's...

Follett Corp.(Travis Rieken promoted)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Follett Corp. announces the promotion of Travis Rieken to the position of Southeast regional sales manager for the foodservice division. In this role Rieken will be responsible for implementing foodservice sales programs and plans, managing...

Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Inc.(DecisionMakers)
July 1, 2006... Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Inc. announced that Bryan T. Drangin and Dean Coccia have joined Farley's & Sathers sales staff as account managers. Drangin is responsible for the Michigan Special Markets region. He will also be responsible...

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.(DecisionMakers)
July 1, 2006... The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. announced that Darrell Splithoff, senior vice president--worldwide supply chain, has resigned. Dushan Petrovich, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, will continue to oversee this global function. All...

Protecting the perimeter.(Editor's Memo)
July 1, 2006... Frank Coletta has every reason to take his job very seriously. If he eases up on the rules and regulations just a little bit, employees could get hurt, or worse. So this savvy industry veteran has no plans to go easy on store employees who take...

Chevron expands alliance with Van Houtte.
July 1, 2006... Chevron Stations Inc. (San Ramon, Calif.) has partnered with Van Houtte Inc. (www.vanhoutte.com), one of North America's leading gourmet coffee roasters to provide coffee and equipment to Chevron locations on the West Coast and in Florida. The...

Four ExxonMobil distributors unite.
July 1, 2006... Four of the nation's largest ExxonMobil distributors have announced plans to consolidate operations and form a new company, PetroLiance LLC. The four companies are Chicago-based Boncosky Oil Co.; Commercial Ullman Lubricants Co. of Ohio;...

Valero LP selects ESI software.
July 1, 2006... San Antonio, Texas-based Valero LP, which operates 9,186 miles of pipeline, 89 terminal facilities and four crude oil storage facilities, has selected Houston-based Energy Solutions International (www.energy-solutions.com) as its software...

Giant retail stores launches PaySpot.
July 1, 2006... PaySpot, Inc. (www.payspot.com), a leading prepaid provider in the U.S., and Giant Industries Inc. (Scottsdale, Ariz.), a refiner and marketer of petroleum products, signed a multi-year agreement under which PaySpot will provide electronic...

Rutter's tows the line for Make-A-Wish.(Rutter's Dairy Inc., Make-A-Wish Foundation of America)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... * Rutter's Farm Stores contributed three trucks to the Fifth Annual Truck Convoy to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia. Rutter's has participated in each of the annual convoys, which for the...

APW Wyott YUM! Brands Vendor of the Year.
July 1, 2006... APW Wyott (www.apwwyott.com) has been named the 2005 Yum! STAR Global Equipment Supplier of the Year. This prestigious award is a high honor given by the YUM Brands for supplier excellence. APW Wyott has also received, for the 5th consecutive...

CITGO protects high-mileage vehicles.
July 1, 2006... CITGO Petroleum Corp. (Houston) recently expanded the CITGO SUPERGARD UltraLife line of motor oils for high-mileage vehicles to include a new 5W-30 viscosity grade. Specifically designed to meet the needs of new and older high mileage...

Dresser Wayne introduces E-85 dispenser.
July 1, 2006... Dresser Wayne (www.wayne.com) has introduced the first industry-approved E-85 fuel dispenser. Approved by both Weights and Measures and UL, the Dresser Wayne Vista 387 E-85 dispenser brings the reliability of industry standards to the market....

Convenience stores and the can: consumers are driving even more innovation and differentiation.
July 1, 2006... It's no mystery that convenience influences how consumers shop and what they purchase. "What used to be a leisurely activity, [shopping] has turned into a rushed, stressed nuisance for some," said Todd Hall, vice president of ACNielsen's...

Prepaid profit potential: banked, unbanked and unregistered segments all earn money and pay bills.
July 1, 2006... More than 1,000 prepaid industry professionals representing more than 400 different organizations recently gathered for the first Prepaid Card Expo in Orlando, Fla. The prepaid industry's future was the topic, and convenience retailers should...

Fan-friendly.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... For football fans, Sunday is the biggest day of the week. They spend the whole week thinking about next week's game--where they'll watch it and what they'll drink. Whether it's a tailgate party or a house party, beer is a big part of the...

Anywhere ATM.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Swipe USA, a leading Bay Area ATM management firm, has selected the TNS ATMLink from Transaction Network Services, Inc., a provider of business-critical network and data communications services for transaction-oriented applications, that will...

Beverage standouts.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Following up on the early success of its paper and plastic products, BrandedCups.com has recently added a line of foam cups to its offering. BrandedCups.com strives to deliver foodservice operators custom printed disposable cups with reasonable...

Roll 'em up.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... New Image Global, Inc. Royal Blunts announces the release of an exciting new product, a natural EZ Roll tube known as Eastwood a' naturale. Royal Blunts Eastwood a' naturale is the first cigar wrap with a natural tobacco taste. Customers who...

Low-labor loaves.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Lemon and Peach Melba debut this summer as the newest flavors of the extended line of PanFree Predeposited 18-oz. Loaf Cake Batters from Bake'N Joy. As part of the FreshBakes (freezer-tooven) line of predeposited muffin, load and cake batters,...

Cool customer.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Follett Corp.'s automatic ice bagging and dispensing system, Ice Pro, with up to 1,000 lbs. of ice storage, automatically dispenses cube ice into bags, carts and other receptacles, eliminating the need to shovel or scoop ice from the bin. An...

Sentional support.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Squawkers, the branded chicken concept from Brakebush Brothers, continues to expand the support operators receive. Brakebush recently unveiled its all-new Squawkers Promotions and Merchandising Program, which Squawkers operators receive free as...

Treats minus the guilt.(Special)
July 1, 2006... Otis Spunkmeyer adds a twist on the classic oatmeal raisin cookie with an addition of yogurt-covered raisins. Yogurt Raisin Sensation cookie dough, the newest addition to the Sweet Discovery line, contains zero trans fat and is loaded with the...

Grrrrrrrrind!(Special)
July 1, 2006... Rich, frothy espresso drinks made with fresh milk are available at the touch of a button with the new BUNN Espress Tiger. Up to 100, 8-oz. drinks per hour can be dispensed from the BUNN Espress Tiger, taking up less than 16" of counter space....

Smooth operator.(Special)
July 1, 2006... f'REAL! Foods offers a selection of frozen drink specialties and innovative self-serve blending equipment to deliver premium quality frozen drinks without the operational hassle typically required. The f'REAL! self-serve blender automatically...

Big dipper.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... With NACS' recent report of smokeless tobacco making up 68% of non-cigarette sales, retailers cannot afford to overlook Dip Tops. This snap-on, spill-resistant spittoon allows consumers to enjoy smokeless tobacco wherever they want, with the...

Breakfast bite.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Hot Stuff Foods Palm Pizza menu line has expanded with the new Breakfast Palm Pizza. The new Breakfast Palm combines the convenience of portability with the demand for pizzeria quality pizza. Customers can choose from three delicious varieties...

Speedy solution.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Go Fast Energy Drink does not use high fructose corn syrup in its formula, but instead, uses Australian honey and other ingredients for exceptionally smooth taste. The energy drink contains an exclusive blend of natural active ingredients,...

Dimensional displays.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Structural Plastics Pyramid Systems will help retailers build an oasis in their stores for virtually any product. At a height of just 36" and a reach to center of a mere 30", these pyramids are built with ergonomic shopping in mind. For more...

Well-come addition.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Hatco Corp. announces their new Built-in Heated Wells, with reliable performance to safely holding food hot. These top-mounted rectangular or round warmers have larger drains with flat screens, EZ lock hardware, and heavier, durable stainless...

Appetite satisfier.(New Stuff!)
July 1, 2006... Pierre Foods has expanded its Big A Angus line with two new sandwiches: the Kickin' Angus Charbroil with spicy pepper jack cheese and the Chedda Angus Charbroil with cheddar-flavored cheese. Angus beef is taking the foodservice industry by...

Publisher's Q&A.(FrontEnd)(Interview)(Company overview)
July 1, 2006... Driving eastbound toward Canastota, N.Y., I caught sight of Graziano's, a quaint and unassuming restaurant on Highway 90 frequented by the executive team of Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes. It was there that I had the pleasure of speaking with...

HDTV gets consumers pumped up.(retailwire: Plugged In)
July 1, 2006... Murphy Oil has said it will place 20-inch high definition televisions at gas pumps at 500 of the company's 900 stations located in the parking lots of Wal-Mart stores. RetailWire Instant Poll Results: How will televisions at the pump...

Dunkin' Donuts checks for illegal aliens.(retailwire: Plugged In)
July 1, 2006... Stephen Horn, chief legal officer for Dunkin' Brands Inc., told The Boston Globe that some of the chain's customers have questioned if employees with halting English might be in the U.S. illegally. To overcome this perception, the company...

Publix goes slow and steady with pix concept.(retailwire: Plugged In)
July 1, 2006... The Publix way is slow and steady...test concepts carefully and, if they work, continue rolling them out. With its announcement that the company plans to open its seventh Pix convenience store in Seminole, Fla., the regional grocery store...

Problem solver.(Rising Stars)
July 1, 2006... Tom Newbould graduated with an accounting degree, but after crunching numbers for six months at BP as an auditor, he realized his career aspirations just weren't adding up. Newbould began working for the British powerhouse during college,...

Designing a security strategy: regarded as an innovator in employee safety, Tesoro spares no expense when it comes to protecting the perimeter.(Cover story)
July 1, 2006... Tesoro Corp. has undergone a transformation through the years from a small local refiner to a multi-state marketer that's willing to take risks to grow the business. Over the past eight years the San Antonio-based refiner has become a...

PCATS pushes loyalty standards: initiative would streamline access to rewards data for convenience store and petroleum marketers.(FrontEnd)
July 1, 2006... The Petroleum Convenience Alliance for Technology Standards (PCATS) is developing a domestic standard for loyalty card programs to allow them to be integrated into the multiple point-of-sale and back-office systems now servicing in the...

A fresh look: NOCO Express is steadily redesigning its upstate New York locations, while BP has converted a dozen South Florida stores to its popular am/pm brand.
July 1, 2006... What was once a two-bay, NOCO Express gas station tucked in the historic village of Williamstown, N.Y., is now nothing if not top of the line. The fourth of NOCO Energy Corp.'s 33 stores to undergo a redesign in the last two years, the...

Ethanol fuels tank concerns new oxygenates could cause clogged filters, phase separation without proper preparation.(Front End)
July 1, 2006... Ethanol may be good for the environment and it may reduce U.S dependence on foreign oil, but it's murder on underground storage tanks. With ethanol-blended fuel on its way to gas stations and convenience stores across the country,...

Actions speak louder; how you present information determines how well training works.
July 1, 2006... When it comes to training, it ain't what you say, it's the way you say it that determines whether or not the information "sticks." To train people successfully, serve new information in small bites, give people enough time to digest it, provide...

Do you have a turnover problem? Research shows that more than half of new hourly employees are gone within six months.(... from the desk of)
July 1, 2006... I know you think you have an hourly employee turnover problem, and hiring research appears to agree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 50% of all new hourly employees quit or are terminated within six months of being...