Convenience Store Decisions articles from November 2005

Convenience Store Decisions archives from November 2005

A comfortable friend.(Editor's Memo)
November 1, 2005... In 1986, my family moved from Northeast Philadelphia to a small (now sprawling) suburb called Southampton. Then a quiet kid finishing up my last few years of grade school, I had a tough time making new friends, acclimating to a new school and...

Marked for growth: independent marketers with a thirst for alternative fuels find value and stability with GROWMARK's FAST STOP brand.(FrontEnd)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2005... Doug Finkbeiner thought the sky might fall when a I couple of big boxes opened up in Lapeer, a small town north of Detroit, last year. To counter the presence of a new Meijer supermarket/fuel center and a Wal-Mart Supercenter with a Murphy...

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2005... Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (Laval, Quebec) has appointed Jean-Luc Meunier to the position of vice president, operations for the central Canada division. He replaces Stephane Gonthier, who held the position on an interim basis in addition to...

Valero Energy Corp.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2005... Bill Greehey will step down as Valero Energy Corp.'s (San Antonio, TX) chief executive at year's end. Greehey has led Valero since 1974, building the company with acquisitions. Greehey, who will remain chairman, capped his acquisition binge...

The Pantry Inc.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2005... The Pantry Inc.'s (Sanford, NC) board of directors has appointed Robert F. Bernstock and Edwin J. Holman to serve as directors of the company. Bernstock is president and chief operating officer of The Scotts Co. As president of Scotts, he is...

Mark VII Equipment LLC.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2005... Mark VII Equipment LLC (www.markvii.net) has hired former Kwik Trip executive Ed Stellner as midwest region director. During his tenure at Kwik Trip, Stellner was part of a team that was responsible for getting the company into the carwash...

Scotsman Ice Systems.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2005... Scotsman Ice Systems (www.scotsman-ice.com) has appointed Marty Montaigne its vice president, sales and marketing. Montagne brings with him a broad range of management experience that includes engineering, sales, marketing and service. He comes...

Sheetz Inc.(Retailer Spotlight)
November 1, 2005... From its more than 300 Sheetz Inc. stores across six states, the Mt. Jackson, VA, travel center was named the 2005 Store of the Year. The title recognizes the Sheetz store that best meets the high standards for excellence in sales,...

PerformanceRetail.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2005... PerformanceRetail (www.performance retail.com) has promoted Marsha Mathis, previously the director of professional services, to vice president of business development. Mathis joined PerformanceRetail in the fall of 2004 as director of...

FKI Logistex.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2005... FKI Logistex (www.fkilogistex.com) has promoted three senior managers in the company's North American Manufacturing Systems unit. Leading the promotions is the appointment of Ken Thouvenot to vice president of project management and...

Wawa selects Hypercom's payment terminals.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Wawa Inc. (Wawa, PA) has purchased and installed more than 2,000 Hypercom Optimum L4100 high-speed card payment terminals at 540 retail stores in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Wawa has also named Hypercom (www.hypercom.com) its...

Shell Canada deploys Radiant POS.
November 1, 2005... Shell Canada Products has contracted to deploy Radiant Systems Inc.'s (www.radiantsystems.com) point-of-sale (POS) software, Radiant Site Manager, the Radiant Forecourt Controller and P1550 hardware terminals in more than 1,000 retail sites in...

Love's Travel adds wireless Internet hot spots.
November 1, 2005... Oklahoma City-based Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores joined with SiriCOMM Inc. (www.siricomm.com), an applications service provider and nationwide broadband wireless network operator, to put wireless network access points in the company's...

Biopay targets Hispanic consumers.
November 1, 2005... Biometric transaction processor BioPay LLC (www.paychecksecure.com) will be expanding its program that actively targets retailers who serve the nation's rapidly expanding Hispanic community for its Paycheck Secure product. BioPay has more than...

Iron man.(Rising Stars)
November 1, 2005... While Bruce Earhart may have been ready to "sing the blues" after a couple of consecutive 14-hour days, his band Eugene and the Night Crawlers hasn't yet written a song about the convenience retailing business. How he found his way to the...

Colossal success: despite its size, 7-Eleven Inc. employs the grace, speed to market and creative thinking often seen in aggressive start-ups. CSD honors the industry's mightiest retailer for its all-consuming drive to serve the customer.(Chain of the Year)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2005... Like many of his peers, California franchisee Jas Dhillon believes the power of the 7-Eleven brand lies in its ability to stay relevant, if not important, in the eyes of his customers. Having been in this business for nearly 20 years, Dhillon...

Raising the bar.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Clif Bar Inc. has created CLIF Nectar, the entirely organic fruit and nut bar, which is minimally processed and contains just four or five ingredients. The four-flavor CLIF Nectar lineup--Dark Chocolate & Walnut, Cinnamon Pecan, Lemon, Vanilla...

Space savvy.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Hoshizaki America Inc, introduces Tempguard Self-Contained Worktop Freezers. Tempguard Worktop Freezers have a high-efficiency cartridge-style refrigeration system designed with a large capacity condenser and evaporator resulting in lower...

Ready to repair.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Ready Products introduces the new Retract-A-Bit Mini Self-Storing Screwdriver System that features bits which can be changed with the push of a button. Because the bits are integral to the screwdriver, they can never be lost. Simply select the...

Drinkable start to the day.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Bravo! Foods International has launched Bravo! Breakfast Blenders, a line of fortified milks targeted to busy consumers who are seeking nutritious and great-tasting milk drinks for their active lifestyles. The Blenders consist of 100% milk and...

Decadent delights.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Country Home Bakers, a subsidiary of J&J Snack Foods Corp., introduces its Readi-Bake 100% All Butter Gourmet cookie dough. The Readi-Bake 100% All Butter Gourmet line includes indulgent flavors like Decadent All Butter, a soft and crunchy...

A touch of dependability.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Elo TouchSystems Inc. introduces an entry-level touchmonitor as part of its expanding 1000 series. The new 1515L 15" LCD touchmonitor is a new space-saving touchmonitor "designed for touch" with Elo's proven expertise and reliability already...

Upgrading no-brainer.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Mark VII Equipment LLC announces that carwash operators can replace their existing system with a loaded AquaJet GT-300--complete with installation--for $69,999. Many operators are trying to squeeze more life out of aging systems, but...

Now you're cooking.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Wisco Industries Inc. introduces the first major improvement in the "time tested" pizza oven that has been the standard for frozen pizza in the snack food industry. The new digital control with two temperature settings is especially designed to...

Hands-free convenience.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... KZCO adds the I-OpenR to its automated product line. KZCO's patented I-OpenR allows for hands-free disposal through an automated swinging door available for installation in a wide variety of trash bins. The I-OpenR provides retailers with a...

Keep cash flowing.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Cash Solutions is offering a free equipment promotion to retailers opening a merchant account that could attract more customers by allowing them to accept Visa and MasterCards. The new VeriFone Omni 3740 is shipped to a retailer programmed and...

Steel strong.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Scripto has released a five-piece collection of metallic "Diamond Plate" themed lighters. The new lighter series features a metallic wrap with a diamond plate and rivet design to resemble the look of a heavy-duty tool box. This unique line is...

Stick to it.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Old Wisconsin Sausage Co. unveils four new products to complement the sausage maker's extensive line of handcrafted sausages: 8-oz. Snacker Stackers in Pepperoni & Beef flavors, 4-oz. Beef Snack Sticks and the single-serving Beef & Cheese Stick...

Something to smile about.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... New and improved flavor profiles, complete packaging upgrade and great value are all included in the exciting re-launch of the Smiley's brand sandwich line. Satisfy customer cravings all day, even during the breakfast daypart with the new...

Sweet/salty treat.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Snyder's of Hanover announces a special edition pretzel variety: Chocolate Dips made with Hershey's brand Chocolate. The Pretzel Dips feature Snyder's of Hanover Mini pretzels enrobed in Hershey's Milk and White Chocolate. Snyder's of Hanover...

Front facings.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Drive traffic to profit centers with Benchmaster all-plastic display merchandisers. Quickly becoming the industry standard for storefront merchandising, the Benchmaster three-tiered wall displays create a clean, fresh, professional look that...

Finders keepers.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... International Paper's (IP) Smart Packaging business has partnered with Cascade Corp. to offer RFID-Ready clamp truck solutions, offering customers the opportunity to achieve reliable product reads through IP's RFID-ready trucks. The clamp...

Holliday hallow.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... The Marshmallow Peeps brand continues to grow in Easter 2006. Due to the overwhelming positive response last year to the new yellow Peeps chick inside a chocolate egg, manufacturer Just Born Inc. has hatched another egg in the Peeps family....

Water that works.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Propel Fitness Water introduces Propel Calcium, which has the same great taste profile as regular Propel Fitness Water. A full 700 mL bottle of Propel Calcium provides nearly the same amount of calcium as an 8-oz. glass of milk (300 mg), or...

All-in-one.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Master-Bilt unveils the new MRS series modular multicompressor refrigeration system to save energy and reduce in-store heat and noise. By remoting all refrigeration systems to a single MRS system in their stores, retailers can remove the heat...

Looking the part.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... TLM designs, manufactures and distributes image-enhancing uniforms with standard services such as same-day shipping, inventory management, custom manufacturing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee--making it a one-stop shop for all uniform needs....

Brew wise.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... FETCO introduces the newest addition to its innovative Extractor Coffee Brewer series, the CBS-2042. This sophisticated brewer is designed to brew directly into the one-gallon L3D model LUXUS Thermal Dispenser. It keeps coffee fresh and hot for...

Car caring.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... D&S Car Wash Equipment Co. introduces a new rollover, friction system, the Odyssey Soft Touch, the first entry for D&S in the friction category designed for self-service carwashes and convenience stores. The new system is constructed of...

Portable packs.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... IZZE Beverage Co. has launched its newest package--a 12-pack of 8.4-oz. cans. Available in a bright, easy-to-carry and simple-to-store package, this new 12-pack displays perfectly on shelves or end-caps. The new can 12-pack is available in...

The heat is on.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... The Vollrath Co.'s new Cayenne Heat Strips boast remarkably even and precise heat dispersion thanks to the unique heating and reflector design. Cayenne Heat Strips offer low, medium and high wattage units to ensure maximum performance at the...

Seamless transition.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... MEI plans to seamlessly transition retail customers to accept the soon-to-be-released U.S. $10 bill in kiosks, self-checkouts and other self-serve retail systems. The new $10 bills, set to be released in early 2006, incorporate state-of-the-art...

Cool customer.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Taylor Co. introduces its compact, four-flavor FCB (frozen carbonated beverage) machine. The Model C302 allows retailers to revitalize their beverage sales by serving customers more of their favorite soft drinks in an exciting frozen taste...

Who's a tuff guy?(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Tuff Guyz Corp. introduces its newest version of "joint repair" called TUFF GUYZ HIGH PERFORMANCE Sports Drink +. TUFF GUYZ is a new cutting edge sports drink, aimed at not only hydrating athletes but at the same time repairing joints. The new...

Lemon-riffic.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... True Lemon is a cost-effective alternative to fresh lemons that allows retailers to offer the same lip-puckering taste in a versatile single-serve packet. True Lemon is available in a variety of taste packs, including a special 150-ct....

The bolder the better.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Cadbury Adams USA LLC introduces new Dentyne Ice Wild Winter soft-chew gum and new Dentyne Ice Avalanche Mint pellet gum. Dentyne Ice Wild Winter is wrapped in a unique, easy-close envelope 14-piece pack, featuring a perforated sleeve that can...

Frozen fruity goodness.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2005... Dole Food Co. announces the rollout of DOLE Frozen Fruit, a new, branded line of fresh frozen fruit with the "locked-in" natural goodness and nutrition benefits of fresh fruit. Dole will offer an extensive selection of over a dozen fruits from...

Valero sings a new tune.(BackRoom)
November 1, 2005... With the holidays right around the corner, San Antonio, TX-based Valero Energy Corp. has introduced several new entertainment products in participating Valero and Diamond Shamrock Corner Stores, making holiday shopping that much more convenient...

Give them what they want to give.(BackRoom)
November 1, 2005... This holiday season the name of the game is convenience. With that in mind, more and more consumers are putting an end to the frenzied shopping that traditionally accompanies the holiday season. Instead, shoppers are opting for gift cards...