Convenience Store Decisions articles from July 2007

Convenience Store Decisions archives from July 2007

Scott Hartman, president of Rutter's Farm Stores, has assumed the chairmanship of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.(Front End: The News)
July 1, 2007... Scott Hartman, president of Rutter's Farm Stores, has assumed the chairmanship of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. Hartman will serve a two-year term with the organization, which works to improve the public image, effectiveness and...

7-Eleven Inc.(Front End: The News)
July 1, 2007... 7-Eleven Inc. has named Kevin Elliott senior vice president for merchandising and logistics. He will report to Masa Asakura, the company's executive vice present and CEO. Elliott has 19 years of experience in merchandising, inventory...

Commercial Fueling Network.(Front End: The News)(appointment of Eric Lind )(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Commercial Fueling Network (CFN) appointed Eric Lind as its new president, signaling a drive to enhance client satisfaction and reinforce the spirit of its participant group. For the past five years, Lind served as president of Pettit Oil. His...

Eby-Brown.(Front End: The News)
July 1, 2007... Jeff Gordon, key account manager for Eby-Brown, was installed as the Illinois Association of Tobacco and Candy Distributors' (IATCD) president. Gordon, a 25-year veteran of Eby-Brown, has served as the IATCD's vice-president for the past two...

Retailing for the future.(Decision Makers: Spotlight)
July 1, 2007... Independent convenience store and gas station operator VERC Enterprises named Dave Proler to the position of district manager, covering six of the company's locations from Berlin, Mass. to Nashua, N.H. Proler has two years experience from...

Educating the industry.(Editor's Memo)
July 1, 2007... IF THERE IS ONE thing that can be said about Convenience Store Decisions' 2007 Foodservice Show it's that a great time was had by all. The educational sessions, which featured David Bishop, of Willard Bishop; Marsha Robbins, of HAACPlus.com;...

Satisfying summer shoppers: with increasing traffic from vacationers, retailers adjust inventories without losing their most valuable commodity: convenience.(Front End)
July 1, 2007... THE INFLUX OF SUMMER tourism is a boon for many c-store operators. That's why adjusting merchandise to meet vacationers' last minute needs has proved to be a winning strategy. One area that has proved to be especially profitable is health...

Cash in hand: after creating a successful financial services program, Great Stops LLC is primed to make it an attainable profit center for other retailers.(Front End)
July 1, 2007... THE IDEA OF CASHING $1 million in tax advance loan checks in a convenience store could be daunting to some retailers, but not Great Stops LLC. The Chapel Hill, N.C.-based operation has benefited from having a 10-year banking veteran as its...

Convenience with a hint of elegance: Short Stop Market mixes restaurant-style preparation and unique food offerings to bring convenience to a new level.(Front End)
July 1, 2007... FOR AN ICONIC NEIGHBORHOOD c-store, Short Stop Market's current owner has stepped up its foodservice and beverage programs. Situated behind doors that have guarded the same structure that has stood in Sarasota, Fla. for 50 years is a blend of...

Branding benefits: proprietary packaging can push profits.(Feature: Foodservice)
July 1, 2007... A study conducted by the Wharton School of Research found that nearly 70% of all purchase decisions are made at the point of sale, where packaging is the primary spokesperson for the product. Using this knowledge to full advantage in your...

Optimizing everything: pricing software comes of age at tech savvy chains like Rutter's and Miller Oil.(Feature: Technology)
July 1, 2007... Fifteen years ago, a young physicist named Ken Ouimet saw a strong correlation between the behaviors of consumers and atoms. The analogy led him to develop software based on mathematics developed in theoretical physics that forecasts human...

BP selling Fla. sites.(Front end: The News In Brief)
July 1, 2007... BP is selling 22 BP-branded gas stations in southern Florida, according to NRC Realty Advisors LLC, the firm coordinating the sale. Of the 22 sites, 20 are operating stations and two are closed. Additionally, three of the 20 working sites are...

CITGO adds DTN Tabs.(Frontend: The News)
July 1, 2007... DTN TABS, a system that helps suppliers manage inventory and credit limits, will help CITGO provide systematic and consistent control of product lifting across all channels of trade at equity and selected exchange terminals to manage...

Fabulous Freddy's grows.(Front end: The News In Brief)
July 1, 2007... FABULOUS FREDDY'S has set in motion plans to open a store in Sandy, Utah. The chain plans to break ground over the summer and eventually open the full-service gas station/ c-store in 2008. Dennis Nuckles, sales and marketing manager for...

Pester expanding.(Front end: The News)
July 1, 2007... PESTER MARKETING CO., the Denver-based owner of the 1st Stop brand of convenience stores and gas stations, acquired 10 stores in Kansas and Hasting, Neb. R & C Petroleum previously operated the units under the Time Saver brand and increases to...

Alon USA inks new payment processor.(Front end: The News In Brief)
July 1, 2007... Dallas-based ALON USA ENERGY INC., an independent refiner and operator of more than 200 7-Eleven convenience stores, has selected RBS LYNK, the U.S. payments processing division of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, as its new credit card...

Rutter's expanding store.(Front end: The News In Brief)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... RUTTER'S FARM STORES plans to double the size of its store in York, Pa. and build an automatic car wash next to it. The company hopes to break ground on the project in early 2008, pending city approvals. The 5,000 sq. ft. store would offer a...

Pilot Travel Center destroyed by fire.(Front end: The News In Brief)
July 1, 2007... Clean-up efforts continue after a fire damaged a PILOT TRAVEL CENTER in Barstow, Calif., according to the Desert Dispatch. The fire apparently started shortly after midnight in a clothes dryer on the west side of the store. The total damage has...

Decadent delights.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... Turtle Mountain announced three new delicious flavors for celebrating summer fun: Coconut Craze, Pomegranate Chip and So Very Strawberry. The three flavors are the newest addition to Turtle Mountain's signature Purely Decadent Dairy Free Pints...

(Counter) top choices.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... The new Alto-Shaam Heated Countertop Display Unit is a freestanding, hot food merchandiser designed for high visibility of hot packaged foods. Compact design is just 36 inches wide and fits easily in most countertop layouts. Thermal kinetic...

Flavor sensation.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. introduces an all new line of premium moist smokeless tobacco (MST) products designed to make the company's core brand, Copenhagen, more approachable for adult smokers. Available at retail beginning September 17, the...

Enhanced juices.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... Minute Maid announced a new line of 100% orange juice products with health benefits from added nutrients and functional ingredients. The Minute Maid Enhanced Juice line includes new Minute Maid Multi-Vitamin and Minute Maid Active--as well as...

Lighter libations.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... BIC launches its Special Edition Drink Series Lighters, which feature 12 popular adult beverage designs. The series images are bright, fun, expressive and reflect the lifestyle of the 'out and about' customer. The suggested retail value of a...

Roller profits.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... C. Cretors and Co. introduced its new Cretors Hot Dog Grill--a fresh twist on the basic hot dog cooker design. The grill includes an innovative, patent-pending, center-drive shaft design that reduces strain on gears and ensures a longer motor...

Sweet treats sweeter.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... Drive incremental cookie sales with new Otis Spunkmeyer Warm Wishes packaging. Consumers will pay more for cookies wrapped in convenient take-home gift packaging--every case of cooking packaging translates to 600 additional cookies sold in your...

Sip right.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... At a time when busy, health-conscious moms want to encourage their kids to eat more nutritious foods, Jel Sert has found a way to make drinking milk more fun--without adding a lot of excess sugar. The company introduces Sipahh milk flavoring...

Truthful taste.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... Honest Tea is expanding its line with the addition of Pomegranate White Tea with Acai. Three antioxidant-rich ingredients--pomegranates, white tea and the acai berry--are combined with less than three teaspoons of organic cane sugar to create a...

Space saver.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... The Serenity Series Cubelet Ice Machine, FS-1001 MLH-C, produces up to 830-lbs. of ice per 24 hours and exclusively features a space saving design. The pump down cycle allows for more efficient start up; it is environmentally friendly and is a...

Elevated jerky.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... TrailSteaks Premium Jerkey Co. is raising the bar in the meat snack industry by introducing a new and improved product. Using only the finest cuts of beef, turkey, buffalo, elk and venison, TrailSteaks has created 45 varieties of premium and...

Candy is dandy.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)(Hebert Confections LLC launches new fudge)
July 1, 2007... Hebert Confections LLC announces the launch of Fully Loaded Fudge, an extension to its highly acclaimed Fully Loaded Inclusion Bars. The rich chocolate fudge is made with real cream and real butter, then infused with gourmet inclusions inside...

Warmer wishes.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)(Hatco launches new product)
July 1, 2007... Hatco recently announced the rollout of its latest Mini-Merchandising Warmer, the Model UGMW-1. The unit is designed to maximize valuable counter space with durable performance and an attractive product display. The food product's optimal taste...

Coffee shot.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)(White Wave Inc launches a new product for coffee)
July 1, 2007... Introducing STOK, a new concept in the world of coffee enhancement. Each individual serving deliers a 40 milligram pop of pure, invigorating caffeine, equivalent to adding a shot of espresso. Designed for people who like to work hard and play...

Blonde beer.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... Starting this summer, U.S. consumers can enjoy some of the French sophistication of premium beer Fischer, with the introduction of Fischer Blonde. Fischer Blonde's subtle and fruity accents and rich aromatic palette is encased in a bright gold...

Tasty treats.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)(McKee Foods Corp informs about it's product)
July 1, 2007... McKee Foods gives a new way to enjoy muffins when you're on the go with Little Debbie Snack Muffins in Banana Nut and Blueberry varieties. These twin-wrapped muffins are made with real fruit and deliver great taste in a format that is perfect...

Online management.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)(Dropcards will become online marketer)
July 1, 2007... Dropcards announced it will become the first online marketer to offer clients a way to manage promotions on its site. Food and beverage brands of all sizes will be able to coordinate marketing efforts on the new Dropcards platform from...

Hot cars.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)
July 1, 2007... Scripto's line of Hot Rods sparkwheel lighters feature sleek images of vintage Hot Rods. The 5-design line represents America's affection for automotive speed and style. The Hot Rod lighters are sure to spark interest amongst Hot Rod...

Fry time.(New Stuff: Creations + Innovations to Convenience Products and Services)(autofry)
July 1, 2007... MTI is proud to introduce the Autofry Model MTI-10XL, the highest output ventless single basket fryer on the market today. The new model offers three levels of power, topping off at an impressive 8.4KW of frying power. As with all Autofry...

Wallowing in deep pools of inertia: business success requires decisive action.(Column)(Column)
July 1, 2007... Get ready, get set, whoa Nelly, hold on a minute. The failure to act decisively, to implement important decisions that are clearly in the best interests of the company, is a trend that we've noticed a lot lately working with marketers around...

Home Depot fuel plans get muddied.(retailwire: Plugged In)
July 1, 2007... Home Depot had grand plans for the company's gas station/convenience store concept, Home Depot Fuel, under former chief executive Bob Nardelli. The home improvement retailer had its sights set on operating 300 sites by 2010. Whether they are...

Is it time for the FDA to regulate tobacco?(retailwire: Plugged In)
July 1, 2007... A Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial made a strong point. "It boggles the imagination that the FDA can pull a drug like Celebrex after it is linked to 10 deaths, but lacks the power to mitigate the hazards of tobacco." A number of laws being...

Associates who can't be bothered bother customers.(retailwire: Plugged In)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Findings of Wharton's second annual Retail Customer Dissatisfaction Study show there are a lot of really bad sales people employed in stores and customers can point them out, assuming they can find them on the floor. According to the telephone...

Energizing the rockies.(Rising Stars)
July 1, 2007... Steve Ewing Suncor Energy USA Steve Ewing has spent a solid 20 years working his way through the convenience industry. As merchandising manager for Suncor Energy USA, Ewing works to control categories, balance profits and grow the...

Overheard at the foodservice conference: a small sampling of the secrets picked up at this year's show.(Back Room)
July 1, 2007... CSD'S 2007 FOODSERVICE SHOW provided outstanding educational seminars and tradeshow exhibits for hundreds of retailers and suppliers starving for news and information in one of the industry's most profitable in-store categories. But what's a...

Fas Mart spreads its wings: after a successful test of a proprietary chicken program at 60 stores, the chain is preparing a company-wide rollout.(Case Study: Fas Mart)(Company overview)
July 1, 2007... WITH OVER 150 STORES, Fas Mart and Shore Stop's market strategy focuses on speed, quality and convenience for its customers. Its primary goal is to continuously improve the speed and the quality of goods it offers consumers. Throughout its...

Convenience 101: listening to students' demands and providing a fresh outlet for the newest trends puts college c-stores on the cutting edge.(Feature: Operations)
July 1, 2007... THE AVERAGE COLLEGE STUDENT has evolved. What was once stereotyped as an academic pauper living off nothing more than pocket change, ramen noodles and pizza crusts has transformed into something more: a fast-paced, health-conscious student...

Competitive watch: gas continues to fuel hypermart growth.(Feature: Operations)
July 1, 2007... AN INTERESTING STUDY WAS recently published by researchers in the Department of Economics at the University of Arizona that details the impact Home Depot's entry into the fuel business had on the Nashville, Tenn., market. The study found...

ExxonMobil, Nice N Easy: honored with best in class foodservice awards: more than 100 c-store chains attended the industry's premier foodservice educational conference and trade show, which featured a keynote address by Louie Sheetz.(Cover: Foodservice Awards)(Cover story)
July 1, 2007... "The majority of 'new' ideas are simply new interpretations of old ideas," said Louie Sheetz, vice president of marketing for Sheetz Inc. "Over the last 30 years, we've taken advantage of opportunities like this Foodservice Show and NACS to...

Reaching beyond the pumps: new technology gives retailers a vast set of options for moving customers from the forecourt to the front counter.(Feature: Operations)
July 1, 2007... For a lot of customers, the first and last thing they see when they approach a convenience store are the gas pumps. Unfortunately for some retailers, the pumps may also be the only part of the store a customer sees during their visit. Thanks to...

Prepaying for the future: reloadable cards are revolutionizing the prepaid wireless category and reaching out to new consumers.(CategoryManagers: Notebook)
July 1, 2007... CONVENIENCE STORES DELVED INTO the prepaid category years ago by carrying long distance phone cards, long before the explosion of cellular phones. Today, the category has evolved into a distinct wireless display that caters to customers looking...