Convenience Store Decisions articles from May 2006

Convenience Store Decisions archives from May 2006

Safe at work: Armor Safe is urging retailers to utilize their financial resources on cash management systems that help reduce internal theft and maximize employees' time.(Special Technology Report: Armor Safe)
May 1, 2006... Missing deposits, shortages, security concerns and the time spent handling cash are constant problems for busy convenience store managers. Armor Safe understands the growing demands of today's store employees and has developed its "no excuses"...

C-stores with no cashiers? The concept of tomorrow is being offered today.(Special Technology Report: AT Systems)
May 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...

Lottery controversy stuns Iowa retailers: operators have lost a major profit center now that the governor has banned the popular TouchPlay machines.
May 1, 2006... Eight miles from the tiny town of Larchwood, Iowa (pop. 788), Fran Zuraff faces a major competitor for customer dollars--South Dakota. Competition wasn't quite as stiff until recent months, when Zuraff and hundreds of fellow Iowa retailers...

The changing taste of beer: grappling with consumers' growing interest in wine and spirits, major beer manufacturers are turning to new tastes and flavors--and, in some places, it's working.
May 1, 2006... Forget for a moment about the rising tide of wine and spirit sales and that traditional beer companies in recent years have introduced everything from seasonal brews to fruit-flavored versions of their core brands. This is the true sign of...

Caring for cars in Vegas: thousands of carwash operators, equipment manufacturers and vendors filled the cavernous Las Vegas Convention Center to "clean up.".
May 1, 2006... Cruising the show floor at the annual Car Care Expo in Las Vegas, dozens of current and would-be carwash operators perused new products that caught their eye, considered the future of the industry and marveled at the impressive size of some of...

Chevron Corp.(Decision Makers)
May 1, 2006... * Chevron Corp. has appointed Jay Pryor to the position of vice president for business development, reporting to Dave O'Reilly, chairman and CEO. Pryor has served for the past four years as managing director of the Nigeria/Mid-Africa strategic...

Pilot Travel Centers LLC.(Decision Makers)
May 1, 2006... * Pilot Travel Centers LLC recently promoted Laura Palenkas to director of merchandising. Palenkas is responsible for managing all packaged food and beverage items, fountain and grill consumables, tobacco products, as well as the pricebook....

CITGO Petroleum Corp.(Decision Makers)
May 1, 2006... * CITGO Petroleum Corp. appointed Frank Gygax as chief operating officer, replacing Jerry Thompson, who retired. Thompson, a 35-year veteran of the company, served as COO since 2003. Gygax has more than 30 years of experience in the refining...

Piccadilly Circus Pizza.(Piccadilly Circus Pizza )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... * Piccadilly Circus Pizza has announced the promotions of three of its employees: Dana Evaro assumes the role of director of marketing services, while both Don Massey and Jay Levandoski become regional directors of business development. In his...

Filterfresh Coffee Service Inc., a subsidiary of Van Houtte Inc., announced that David Larimer has taken over the position of president.(Decision Makers)
May 1, 2006... * Filterfresh Coffee Service Inc., a subsidiary of Van Houtte Inc., announced that David Larimer has taken over the position of president. Larimer, previously with Mobil Oil and Priceline.com replaces Roger Cohen, president since 2002, and one...

Broaster Systems Division.(Bill Loeffelholz promoted at Broaster Co.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... * Bill Loeffelholz was promoted to the position of export/government and special accounts sales manager for Broaster Systems Division. Loeffelholz joined Broaster in April 2003, and after serving as a Broaster distributor support representative...

Win-Holt Equipment Group.(appointment of Dominick Scarfogliero)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... * Win-Holt Equipment Group, a manufacturer of high-quality material handling and foodservice equipment, announced the promotion of Dominick Scarfogliero to executive vice president and chief operating officer. Scarfogliero will play a critical...

Andrea Jackson, president and COO of Jacksons Food Stores, was chosen by Idaho Business Review as one of Idaho's "Women of the Year".(Retailer Spotlight)
May 1, 2006... * Andrea Jackson, president and COO of Jacksons Food Stores, was chosen by Idaho Business Review as one of Idaho's "Women of the Year." She was honored because of her professional accomplishments, willingness to serve in volunteer organizations...

Newcomers welcome.(Editor's Memo)
May 1, 2006... For all the talk about gasoline volatility and dwindling fuel margins, there's no shortage of mega-retailers looking to fillup on fuel profits. Alongside traditional hypermarketers like Wal-Mart, Costco and BJ's, is a new breed of operators...

Managing fuel operations: Circle K and Worsley roll out innovative programs to streamline costs and boost profitability.(Circle K Stores Inc.)(Worsley Companies Corp.)
May 1, 2006... With fuel prices soaring to record highs, marketers are desperately looking for software solutions that can help them manage the business more effectively. On the fuel supply side, tighter control of distribution could enhance margins and...

Banking on loyalty: data mining and basket analysis is giving retailers an edge when going to market, while strategic partnerships keep costs down.
May 1, 2006... They have a saying at Mirabito Fuel Group: "When you attract customers with cheap gas prices, you only buy their loyalty until the next gas fill-up." That's the kind of thinking that lead the 58-store, Sidney, N.Y.-based retailer to create...

Loyalty's gentle touch.(Green Hills Farms rewards from in-store kiosks)
May 1, 2006... While biometric technology is slowly inching its way into the convenience class, a one-store grocery retailer has created the first of its kind payment-plus-loyalty program called SmartShop. Powered by Pay By Touch (www.paybytouch.com),...

Food for thought: the National Convenience Store Advisory Group's (NCSAG) first-ever foodservice show delivers innovation, expert advice and timely retail solutions.(Front End)
May 1, 2006... Highlighted by a theme dinner that mimicked the Food Network's popular Iron Chef television program, the National Convenience Store Advisory Group (NCSAG) foodservice conference was a success, particularly for the more than 300 retailers and...

Couche-Tard acquires spectrum stores.
May 1, 2006... Alimentation Couche-Tard, North America's third largest convenience store operator, has agreed to purchase, through its subsidiary, Circle K Stores Inc., a 90-store chain of U.S. outlets from Spectrum Holding Inc. The stores, located in Georgia...

Kum & Go acquires Jr. Foods.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Krause Gentle Corp., which operates 430 Kum & Go convenience stores in 13 states, has acquired Jr. Foods, a family-owned 40-year-old chain based in Jonesboro, Ark. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Krause Gentle said it would rebrand the...

Wilson Farms and Sugarcreek offer E-ZPass.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Wilson Farms and Sugarcreek Stores will become the largest retailers to sell New York State Thruway Authority E-ZPass electronic tags through a recently launched program dubbed E-ZPass On-the-Go. Under the program, customers can buy pre-paid...

Valero launches new soda.
May 1, 2006... Valero Energy Corp. has launched a proprietary line of flavored soda, under the Fresh Choices brand, in more than 1,000 company-operated Valero and Diamond Shamrock Corner Stores. The soda, which comes in five flavors--orange, strawberry,...

Quick Chek makes move to N.Y.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... New Jersey chain Quick Chek Corp. has crossed the border into New York State, according to reports by the Associated Press. Quick Chek, a chain with more than 100 stores in neighboring New Jersey, kicked off its expansion by opening at the site...

Alon to acquire Good Time Stores.
May 1, 2006... Alon USA said it reached a deal to acquire up to 55 Good Time Stores in El Paso, Texas. The purchase price for all 55 stores would include approximately $30 million in cash and $7 million in assumed debt. Of the 55 stores, 49 are leased and six...

Wawa turns to Merrychef.(alliances and partnerships)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Wawa Inc., operator of 540 convenience stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, partnered with Merrychef USA to be its supplier of choice for accelerated cooking ovens. Under the agreement, Merrychef will provide its...

Gulf Oil selects Datawire.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Gulf Oil LP will now offer a high-speed, Internet point-of-sale (POS) connectivity solution to its Gulf Station Operators nationwide--an IP-based service offered by Gulf's payments services provider, First Data, and based on technology...

Better buying.(New Stuff)
May 1, 2006... DTN introduces DTN Fuel Buyer, a real-time market information service designed to support profitable fuel buying and reselling decisions. DTN Fuel Buyer provides instant access to supplier price messaging from DTN DataConnect, rack and spot...

Fuel-friendly.(New Stuff)
May 1, 2006... FuelQuest has upgraded its Fuel Management System (FMS) 4.0 solution to deliver fuel supply chain improvements in three key areas: environmental compliance, remote monitoring and menu changes. The new environmental module offers UST/AST release...

Handy payments.(New Stuff)
May 1, 2006... Pay By Touch is the global leader of biometric authentication, personalized rewards and payment solutions. Pay By Touch's patented biometric authentication platform is the basis for a suite of services that let shoppers uniquely identify...

Pumped up.(NACStech Special)
May 1, 2006... Gilbarco Veeder-Root's Encore S Series features a refined style that delivers an intuitive customer experience. This results in 13% faster customer input, improving throughput and profitability during peak periods. The new design consolidates...

Money managing.(NACStech Special)
May 1, 2006... PerfectCash has been described as a "pumped up" version of FireKing Security Group's Autobank safe/bill validator/cash handling system. Ideal for operators such as large travel centers located on an interstate highway; and/or c-stores that are...

Connectivity counts.(NACStech Special)
May 1, 2006... New Edge Networks is building a network of direct connections to various back-office online solutions providers including payment processors, payroll services, health benefits management companies, IT help desks, kiosks, digital video display...

Savoring the moment.(New Stuff!)
May 1, 2006... Kick back at home! Relax with good friends! Summer is the time to savor what matters--like the full flavor of Miller High Life and Miller High Life Light. Full Flavor 2006 advances the brand idea of "Savor What Matters" by highlighting the...

Gum on the rocks.(New Stuff!)
May 1, 2006... The Hershey Co. has seized share leadership in the mint category. Crediting success to breakthrough innovations like IceBreakers Liquid Ice, IceBreakers Sours and BreathSavers 3 Hour Mints, Hershey's is now bringing innovation to the gum arena...

Smokey and the Bandits.(News Stuff!)
May 1, 2006... U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USSTC) will launch new and improved Skoal Bandits moist smokeless tobacco (MST) pouches. Replacing the existing Bandits line, the new Skoal Bandits will come in mint and wintergreen flavors and debut at retail in...

Delightful variety.(News Stuff!)
May 1, 2006... The Sunny Delight Beverages Co. announces the introduction of a new 16-oz. offering available in orange, orange fused strawberry, orange fused peach, orange fused mango, and fruit punch. Packaged in PET bottles, this new SunnyD line-up retains...

Big boy beverage.(New Stuff)
May 1, 2006... Kronik Energy drink has added the 24-oz. FAT BOY to its current lineup of product offerings. FAT BOY offers consumers the option to purchase a larger version of the company's flagship 16-oz. Kronik Energy formulation. The words, "oversized...

Flavor sensations.(New Stuff)
May 1, 2006... Dasani Sensations will put a new twist on water category sales by combining all the benefits of water with great fruit taste, no calories and some fizz just for fun. Dasani Sensations follows the successful 2005 launch of Dasani flavored water...

Deli-cious.(New Stuff)
May 1, 2006... Convenience products from Advance Food Co. save time and labor, while decreasing food safety concerns. 54th Street Deli Sandwiches and Wraps are fully cooked, individually wrapped and combine handmade quality with grab & go convenience. Sprazzo...

Get a grip.(New Stuff)
May 1, 2006... The new BIC Gripper lighter and case has a style so fierce it will reach out and grab customers. As the market leader, BIC continues to give consumers new ways to Flick Your BIC. BIC Gripper is one of many new product introductions for BIC in...

Category captain.(Rising Stars)
May 1, 2006... When Dash In Food Stores began to recreate its image and reconfigure its operations, Don Hamberger was just what the company needed. The LaPlata, Md.-based chain recruited him from 7-Eleven, a company he started with in high school and...

Broadening its Range: Road Ranger, a chain of 50 c-stores and travel plazas, expects to nearly double in size by year's end.(Front End)
May 1, 2006... This promises to be a busy year for Road Ranger. Following an expansion two years ago from about 30 convenience stores and travel centers to 50, the Rockford, Ill.-based chain plans to add another 40 by the end of 2006, nearly doubling its...

Rollin' right along: the roller grill has spun itself into the spotlight at Fas Mart and Pump N Pantry, delivering nice returns to the bottom line.
May 1, 2006... Pump N Pantry hasn't been afraid to try new items to spice up the roller grill. Not all of them have turned a profit. Take, for instance, the potato pancake. When faced with purchasing a roller grill potato pancake or an item from the...

The hen and the dog.(White Hen Pantry Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... An all-beef hot dog with Asiago and cheddar cheese, sliced tomato, a dill pickle spear with Dijon mustard on a honey wheat roll doesn't sound like typical convenience store fare. Then again, White Hen Pantry isn't a typical convenience store....

Industry sales hit new highs in 2005: higher fuel prices, strong in-store sales spur record growth.
May 1, 2006... Convenience store sales climbed 20.2% to reach a record $474.3 billion in 2005, the third straight year of revenue growth of at least 16%, according to National Association of Convenience Stores' State of the Industry (SOI) report. The...

Tesco prepares for its U.S. invasion: with the development of a new convenience store format to be unveiled in California early next year, UK retailers and analysts say marketers should prepare for Wal-Mart, part II.
May 1, 2006... Not since The Beatles has a British invasion been so eagerly anticipated. But UK market observers warn that Tesco's reputation as a bigger, meaner Wal-Mart is only a slight exaggeration. The London-based marketer has no intention of failing to...

Harrods aims for its slice of the convenience pie.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Harrods, the lavish West End of London department store, is giving itself about a year to decide whether to roll out a breakthrough chain of convenience stores. It launched its first convenience store on March 1, Harrods 102 in Brompton...