Convenience Store Decisions articles from September 2006

Convenience Store Decisions archives from September 2006

Pick a card, any card: Jupiter Research claims that 75% of consumers are card-carrying members of one loyalty program or another.(Back Room)
September 1, 2006... It seems like you can't buy anything now without bumping into an offer to join some type of consumer loyalty club. Retailers have long adopted loyalty programs as a method of getting more sales out of their customers. Whether they "live"...

Beer's back: study signals strong 2007 Super Bowl sales.
September 1, 2006... The primacy of beer--temporarily lost when Gallup's 2005 poll of alcohol sales and drinking habits showed wine sales ahead of beer for the first time--has been restored. The 2006 Gallup poll, released in late July, showed that brew is back as...

(un)Limited potential.
September 1, 2006... While everyone talks a big game about living and eating healthier, Don Hamberger knows that consumers still love to treat themselves. Candy represents the fourth most profitable category at La Platta, Md.-based Dash In Food Stores, behind...

Cashing in: putting flow first fuels success.(Category Update: Financial Management)
September 1, 2006... In a fiercely competitive world where declining fuel margins are forcing companies to find new ways to increase the bottom line, can small and mid-sized convenience store chains stay ahead of the game? According to Jeff Morris, president...

Sheetz continues reinventing convenience: first to market in Pennsylvania with the convenience restaurant and E-85 fuel, the chain predicts strong growth in the coming years.(Cover story)
September 1, 2006... When it comes to delivering quality and value, few chains are as highly regarded as Sheetz Inc. The Altoona, Pa.-based chain has long been admired for its superiority in innovation and its diligent commitment to consumer satisfaction. It's...

Valero named Convenience Store Decisions' chain of the year: San Antonio-based marketer to be honored at an awards reception Oct. 9 in Las Vegas.(Industry News)
September 1, 2006... Continuing a tradition it began in 1990, Convenience Store Decisions is proud to announce Valero Energy Corp., as its 2006 Convenience Store Chain of Year. Valero, which will be honored at a awards reception Oct. 9 in Las Vegas during the...

One family, many owners.(Editor's Memo)
September 1, 2006... Experts are warning that fuel prices are likely to remain high until January 2007 as demand for petroleum products soars due to market shortages caused by the damaged pipelines out of BP's Prudhoe Bay, its largest oil field. The closed...

Smoke signals: besieged by taxes and a decline in gross profit margins, there are signs that import and specialty brands could be the key to tobacco profitability.(Front End)
September 1, 2006... Though there have been calls by industry experts for convenience store companies to reduce their dependency on cigarettes, the industry overall is becoming more reliant on tobacco sales. The National Association of Convenience Stores' 2006...

Target customer target customers with knowledge of trends with knowledge of trends: understanding health and wellness developments can increase sales.
September 1, 2006... The health and wellness landscape has been undergoing some major changes over the past several years, spurred by various factors, including scientific discoveries, nutrient breakthroughs, changing lifestyles and demographics, rising obesity,...

Focus on food safety: just two years after the devastating tomato outbreak at Sheetz, other retailers have benefited from the hard lesson.
September 1, 2006... Any convenience retailer heavily invested in foodservice has to admit their heart dropped when word spread about the tomato epidemic at Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz Inc. A salmonella-tainted shipment of tomatoes led to 400 people getting sick in...

The 5 firsts of hourly employee retention: with the labor pool shrinking sources of new hourly recruits are drying up.
September 1, 2006... First impressions are lasting. Newly hired, hourly employees are not. Before they've been on the job just six months, more than 50% are gone. Some were probably not a good fit for the job in the first place, but some productive, dependable,...

7-Eleven to acquire White Hen Pantry.
September 1, 2006... In its largest acquisition in 20 years, Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc. announced the purchase of White Hen Pantry Inc., the Lombard, Ill.-based convenience store chain that operates and franchises 206 stores in the Chicago area and Northwest...

Rutter's supports March of Dimes.(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... * Rutter's Children's Charities presented $25,000 to the March of Dimes for the creation of a Parent Education and Support Center in the neonatal intensive care unit at York Hospital. The center will be the first of its kind in Pennsylvania,...

What's selling: a view from the customers: CSD conducts customer surveys on isotonics and energy drinks in markets across the U.S.
September 1, 2006... The growth of bottled water has been well documented, but data shows energy drinks and isotonics are growing at comparable or even faster rates. What's even more impressive is that all three of these categories have wide-ranging appeal that...

Water wonder.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... Hatco Corp.'s NSF 5 certified electric Compact and Imperial Booster Water Heaters have been awarded NSF 4 certification. NSF 4 certification is required for Booster Water Heaters to be used for dispensing hot water in commercial cooking...

Cleanin' up with UniFirst.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... UniFirst's bucketless microfiber mops keep facilities cleaner, employees safer and maintenance costs lower. That's because these highly absorbent, 360[degrees] swiveling heads grab more dirt--from the toughest-to-reach areas--with less water...

Pop some Pep.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... DMD Pharmaceuticals is the first company to manufacture an energy drink formula in a capsule. Less expensive and more convenient than the average cup of gourmet coffee or energy drink, Peptime Xtreme T Energy Capsules offer all the benefits of...

Cup and carrier options.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... BrandedCups.com has announced a series of product and service enhancements to its line-up. Of particular interest may be the new 96-oz. and 160-oz. bulk coffee carriers which can be imprinted with a retailers logo in quantities as little as 100...

Smokin' hot spokesladies.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... New Image Global Inc. moves to sign some of the hottest and sexiest top models and actresses in the business for its new Royal Blunts "Taste the Flavor" campaign. Meet Amy, Brittany, Loralyn, Mandy, Niresha, Natasha and Gloria, representing a...

Sleek product promoter.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... Retailers can position hot prepackaged meals practically anywhere in the store with Henny Penny's new Space-Saver HEC hot express cases. Adding to the HEC line, the new HEC-123 and HEC-124 are shorter space-saving units designed as upright to...

Merchandising slam dunk.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... Pull down bigger sales by teaming up with Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft for the 2006-2007 pro basketball season. The popularity of professional basketball is bigger and better than ever. Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft will help...

Portable parfait perfection.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... For time-starved customers, Dole Fruit Bowls--each one delivering premium quality fruit with grab-and-go convenience--fit the description of the perfect snack. Now, Dole introduces two new flavorful, good-for-you treats (six new items overall)...

Ice making magic.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... Hoshizaki America Inc. introduces the KM-320M_H Modular Crescent Cube Ice Machine, producing up to 352-lbs. of ice per 24 hours. Protected by HoshiGuard Antimicrobial Agent within the ice making zone, the slim line unit also complies with all...

'Tis the season for Cranberry.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... Pepsi-Cola North America announces it's expanding its beverage portfolio with Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash, a limited-time flavor extension available exclusively this holiday season. Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash is a crisp lemon-lime soft drink...

Rejuvinating the brand.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USSTC) is rolling out new packaging for its Copenhagen line of moist smokeless tobacco (MST) products. As the first across-the-board packaging change since the brand expanded beyond one product in 1996, the new...

Poultry positioner.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... Piccadilly Circus Pizza continues to expand the profit opportunities for its operators by launching two new easy-to-prepare products. Boneless Buffalo Wings offer today's patrons premium, boneless chicken with a zesty Buffalo-style breading....

Premium packaging.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... Newspring is pleased to introduce new In-Mold Labeling (IML) technology, a superior way to label packaging while maximizing brand image. With IML, packaging graphics will take on an eye-catching, upscale appearance without the need for...

Chew on this.(New Stuff!)
September 1, 2006... Introducing Road Warrior, a new energy gum designed specifically for those on-the-go wanting energy that will last for the long haul. This new gum provides not only a blast of cinnamon to freshen breath, but it also boosts energy levels with...