Convenience Store Decisions articles from November 2006

Convenience Store Decisions archives from November 2006

Ask the experts?(Have a Question?)
November 1, 2006... Q: As a small chain owner, I am extremely concerned about how quickly hypermarkets are gaining penetration to new markets. What should c-store owners be focused on as we try to compete with these behemoths? A: "The shoppers who visit the...

Entering a new era in convenience: Circle K is utilizing state-of-the-art network technologies to deliver a host of prepaid and financial services.
November 1, 2006... Circle K's long-term vision is not only to provide its customers with the largest possible selection of goods, but also to expand its lineup of financial and payment services. Utilizing the latest in network and financial services...

A uniform approach to marketing: enhancing employee image can help operators create a unique niche in the market.(BackRoom)
November 1, 2006... After consumers' positive reactions to its "I'm Lovin' It" advertising campaign, it was rumored that McDonald's was in talks with some of the world's best-known clothing labels--Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' Sean John line, Polo Ralph Lauren Corp....

The rise of a retail powerhouse: in less than a decade, Valero has grown into the largest refiner in North America and assembled one of the most recognized retail brands in the industry.(VALERO: CHAIN of the YEAR)(Cover story)(Company overview)
November 1, 2006... In retail circles, ask anyone to name the leading fuel distributors in their markets. In previous years, you would have heard names like Citgo and Texaco. Not so much anymore. The most talked about brand these days is Valero Energy Corp., and...

Cheers to Valero.(Editor's Memo)
November 1, 2006... Let me take you back to a small convenience store in an unassuming San Ramon, Calif. neighborhood. That's where Valero's retail operations began in earnest seven years ago. There was no fanfare, and hardly any press coverage, save for one...

Control operating costs: take the sting out of gas prices by seeking savings elsewhere.(OPERATIONS)
November 1, 2006... Despite recent declines, gas prices are still an issue when factoring transportation costs. In my own retail stores, we have looked into combining shipments, upgrading equipment, reducing inventory and simply going without. Those are all...

Smokeless Tobacco: review and outlook: industry analyst David Bishop discusses where the category has been, where it's headed and the impact major players are having.(Front End)(Industry overview)
November 1, 2006... Over the last few years, moist smokeless tobacco (MST) has increased in importance to convenience retailers as witnessed by its growing contribution to both in-store dollar sales and gross profits. During the same time period, the...

Chairman of the board: Bill Greehey discusses the moves that helped put Valero at the head of the refining industry.(Publisher's: Q&A)(Interview)
November 1, 2006... Few chains have achieved the rapid growth Valero Energy Corp. has displayed over the past decade. A virtual unknown in the refining industry in 1997, the San Antonio-based marketer has grown into the largest refiner-marketer in North America...

Ultra-low sulfur diesel: what you need to know: the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association/Illinois Association of Convenience Stores (IPMA) addresses common misconceptions about ultra-low sulfur diesel.(Front End)
November 1, 2006... Oct. 15 was a significant milestone in the nation's transition to Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) 15-ppm sulfur fuel. Prior to Oct. 15, petroleum terminals were permitted to downgrade (to 500-ppm sulfur LSD) as much ULSD as they wanted. Now...

Credit relief is past due: CSD's credit card Webcast identifies solutions for dealing with the high cost of credit card processing fees.(Front End)
November 1, 2006... The cost some retailers are paying on credit card fees is crippling, but a panel of retailers and industry experts said relief may be on the way. Convenience Store Decisions, with the help of ISD Corp. and the National Association of...

What type of marketer are you? Dealer volume has never been more attractive and times have never been better for wholesale marketers considering exiting the industry.(FINANCING)(Column)
November 1, 2006... I was sitting in my office the other day ruminating that with the recent letter of intent we had just received, I was about to be a man without a jobbership to sell. Fortunately, the phone rang. On the other end of the phone was a marketer...

Onsite triage savings are no accident: innovative ways to lower workers' compensation costs with strategic sourcing.
November 1, 2006... There's a clear need for keeping workers' compensation costs down, but simply reducing benefits is not a practical answer. Human resources, safety and risk managers in the convenience store industry need to consider innovative approaches to...

Hopping around with Valero: Li'l Cricket discusses its partnership with Valero and how the brand has changed its business.(Company overview)
November 1, 2006... It's no surprise that Valero has made its own dent in the industry. Convenience Store Decisions' 2006 Chain of the Year recipient is an American success story. What started as a small company--armed only with some ambition and business...

Valero Texas open nets millions for charity.
November 1, 2006... Aside from hosting some of the best golfers in the world, San Antonio-based Valero Energy Corp. made history when the company announced that its Valero Texas Open at La Cantera raised $7 million for charity-the largest contribution of any...

Chevron to develop ethanol for Ethanex.
November 1, 2006... Chevron Energy Solutions (CES) (www.chevronenergy.com), a Chevron subsidiary that develops energy efficiency and alternative energy projects, announced it will prepare a preliminary proposal for the development of highly efficient ethanol...

FuelQuest adds more Circle Ks.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... FuelQuest Inc. (www.fuelquest.com), the leading on-demand software and services company for the downstream energy industry, announced its Fuel Management System (FMS) has been deployed at an additional 90 Circle K locations in Phoenix....

Family dollar enters the C-store market.
November 1, 2006... The discount chain Family Dollar (Charlotte, N.C.) will begin selling groceries in all its locations, and also accepting food stamps in order to compete with local c-stores. The chain has been planning a new "Urban Initiative" strategy, by...

Couche-Tard acquires Shell stations.
November 1, 2006... Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. signed an agreement to purchase 236 sites from Shell Oil Products US and its affiliate Motiva Enterprises LLC. When the transaction is completed at the end of the 2006 calendar year, the company estimates that...

Armanda Oil acquires Barney's.(Armada Oil & Gas Co.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Armada Oil & Gas Co. (Dearborn, Mich.), a BP distributor in Michigan., has acquired J-F Enterprises, Inc., operator of the 10-store Barney's Convenience Mart chain in Toledo, Ohio. Barney's first opened in 1966 and grew with the addition of the...

Pepsi acquires IZZE.
November 1, 2006... PepsiCo (www.pepsico.com) has acquired Boulder, Colo.-based IZZE Beverage Co., maker of all-natural, sparkling fruit juices. IZZE is an up-and-coming brand that has used grassroots marketing to develop a strong, dedicated fan base for its...

Phill Oliver, former category manager for Mechanicsville, Va.-based GPM Investments LLC's Fas Mart and Shore Stop convenience-store chains, is now a category manager for Lancaster, Pa.-based Turkey Hill Minit Markets.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2006... Phill Oliver, former category manager for Mechanicsville, Va.-based GPM Investments LLC's Fas Mart and Shore Stop convenience-store chains, is now a category manager for Lancaster, Pa.-based Turkey Hill Minit Markets. Oliver will be reunited...

ExxonMobil.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2006... ExxonMobil's marketing president Phil Dingle elected to retire after 36 years of service with the gas and power company. Dingle has overseen the commercial development, marketing and purchasing of natural gas and associated products and...

Joe S. Sheetz will assume his late father's role as leader of the store development department for Sheetz Inc.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2006... Joe S. Sheetz will assume his late father's role as leader of the store development department for Sheetz Inc. The elder Joe M. Sheetz held the position for 25 years until his passing in August 2006. Joe S. Sheetz will also continue to serve as...

The Pantry Inc.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2006... The Pantry Inc. has named Melissa Anderson to the newly created position of senior vice president of human resources. She will help shape The Pantry's human resources capabilities for their expected growth over the next few years. Anderson...

Follett Corp.(appointment of Scott Bingham as product marketing manager)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Follett Corp. announces the appointment of Scott Bingham to the position of product marketing manager. In this role, Bingham will be responsible for identifying and prioritizing product opportunities for new and existing products for the ice...

Eby-Brown.(Decision Makers)
November 1, 2006... Dave Jones has been named Ohio vice president of sales for Eby-Brown, a leading consumer products distributor to convenience stores in the Eastern U.S. Formerly the Ohio key account manager, Jones is a 31-year veteran of Eby-Brown, working in...

Standing out in the crowd: aided by its partnership with Valero, Fas Mart and Shore Stop stores are thriving in a tough East Coast market.
November 1, 2006... Just a few years ago, Fas Mart was facing financial uncertainty. With 170 stores, the Mechanicsville, Va.-based chain, which also operates Shore Stop stores, was forced into Chapter 11. But what was a difficult period in the company's history...

Light with flare.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... BIC introduces its newest lighter and case product, with a premium look, offering consumers both style and convenience. The new BIC M Series features a polished metal case and is refillable with a mini BIC lighter. BIC now offers a range of...

Pucker up.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... Promotion in Motion, makers of the popular sour movie time candy, introduces the next great sour flavor with its Sour Jacks Sour Apple. New Sour Jacks Sour Apple are bite size apple-shaped sour candies, and just like Original Sour Jacks and...

Sandwich, Mexican-style.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... Ruiz Foods introduces El Monterey Grilled Quesadillas, a popular Mexican sandwich perfect for snacks, appetizers or accompanied by fruit, salad, rice or beans for a complete meal. Each 3-oz. El Monterey Quesadilla is microwaveable in less than...

Easy does it with Miller.(New Stuff!)(Miller Brewing Co.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Take it easy and run away with higher sales this fall with Miller High Life's "Golden Color" 2006 promotion. Relevant POS imagery highlights small social gatherings that will capture the attention of the target consumer who appreciates and...

Perfect portability. (New Stuff!).
November 1, 2006... Windsor Foods takes convenience foods to a new level with the introduction of EZ Eats Craveable Microwaveable Snacks. The cups are designed with a recloseable self-venting lid and are 100% microwaveable. These grab-and-go portable cups fit...

Safety(drawer) First!(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... The Shuresafe Model 670198 MultiDrawer is the latest product from Shure Manufacturing Corp. to help convenience retailers extend business hours while protecting valuable staff, merchandise and other real property assets. The drawer is designed...

Generating a buzz.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... The flagship of Generac's new air-cooled lineup is the industry exclusive 16 kW model with the company's innovative, patent pending Quiet-Test feature. This breakthrough advance operates the genset at a slower speed during its weekly self-test,...

Maple-flavored fun.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... Maple and pancakes--they're a natural combination. Now Krusteaz brings them together in its new Maple-flavored Pancakes. These delicious, golden brown pancakes have the maple flavor baked right in. There's no need for maple syrup, which makes...

(Sweet) battle royale.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... Impact Confections Inc. introduces Warheads Super Sour Spray with Lollipop. The top-selling Warheads Super Sour Spray now comes with a sweet lollipop that can be sprayed for a sweet and sour sensation, or enjoyed separately. The compact and...

Ice-making innovation.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... Follett Corp.'s Horizon icemaker incorporates an innovative self-flushing feature that removes the build up of solids and contaminants in the machine. This automatic feature activates a couple of times a day, using less than a gallon of water...

My-Fries.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... Introducing My Fries Gold, the revolutionary new product line from ConAgra Food's Lamb Weston. Made with the I3 advantage--a proprietary processing method--My Fries Gold deliver one-of-a-kind benefits to operations, including rich, full-flavor,...

Raise the (Air) Curtain.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... Hatco Corp. announces their new Flav-R-Savor Heated Air Curtain Cabinet, now available in a two-pan pass-through model that accommodates full-size sheet pans. Unique to the market, this countertop warmer utilizes a patented heated air curtain...

Sweet creams.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... B2 Beverage Co. has launched its "first in-category" non-carbonated tropical fruit and cream-flavored premium malt beverage line called Hard Creamer, along with its subbrand Kalima Hawaiian Hard Creamer. The product stands out because of its...

On-the-go classic.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... On-the-go Americans from coast to coast will have an even easier time finding their bunned favorite at c-stores as Piccadilly Circus Pizza introduces its new line of classic cheeseburgers. This new offering rounds out Piccadilly's c-store...

Chicken little.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... Breakfast, lunch and dinner--when customers want sandwiches, Chik'n JRs. are a great little option. These 1.9-oz. sandwich patties (in three varieties) allow retailers to offer customers a tastefully affordable sandwich, super-economical value...

Think "inside" the box.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... Taking an idea from "napkin-sketch" to a fully functioning merchandise display has been made easier with Clip Strip's new POP kit. Designers at development meetings are more productive with samples of actual POP display connectors, fasteners,...

Fashionably fresh.(New Stuff!)
November 1, 2006... The Wilbur Curtis Co. is taking gourmet coffee service to the next level with its new Curtis Milano. Uniting an inspiring design with its G3 gourmet coffee brewing and delivery system, the Curtis Milano blends the art of coffee with the science...

Cutting-edge.(Rising Stars)
November 1, 2006... One might think being fired from his first job in the convenience industry may have soured Russ Quick to the channel. Granted, he was 14, sweeping parking lots for a corner gas station and was replaced when the owner's daughter came of age, but...

The front line of defense: aided by programs developed by Anheuser-Busch, retailers are winning the battle against underage drinking.(Category Update: Beer)
November 1, 2006... For more than two decades, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers have invested more than a half-billion dollars in a comprehensive portfolio of more than two dozen community-based programs and national advertising campaigns to promote...

A culture of caring: Valero's corporate culture and its dedication to standing behind employees--in good times and bad--has become the industry's gold standard.
November 1, 2006... Ask any retailer in the industry what sets them apart--what's their most valuable asset--and almost everyone will say "our people." But for San Antonio-based Valero Energy Corp., it's more than just lip service. Led by Chairman Bill...