Energy efficiency is more than just upgrading the lighting to LEDs in and around your store. But lighting is a good place to start. With recent advances in lighting and other sustainable materials, the initial cost is offset by future savings quickly, which is a positive as energy costs continue to rise. “An LED upgrade…
C-Stores Look to the Future, But See Gasoline as King
When the average price of gasoline soared past $5 in the summer of 2022, it seemed like the electric-vehicle future might be accelerated. But don’t discount gas just yet. “The shock and awe of $5-$6 gas has come and gone, and it was a rough couple of months,” said Anthony Perrine, owner of Lou Perrine…
Personalization Builds Relationships in Loyalty
Loyalty programs used to be a punch card and a phone number. But while physical cards have been generally replaced by mobile apps, the importance of loyalty programs remains. “Having a loyalty program is a way to direct market to consumers, and most retailers have a measurable difference in visits and basket size for customers…
Tech Trends to Watch for 2023
As we approach the start of 2023, convenience store chains are turning to technology to increase speed, efficiency and accuracy for customers. Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s is a great example. What does a brand famous for its pizza do when pandemic-related issues are keeping people from their ritual of pizza and a fill-up? It pivots.…
Prepaid Card Sales Climb
As prepaid card popularity soars, c-stores have an opportunity to attract and retain customers with a diverse range of gift card options. Last year, pandemic-influenced shopping habits resulted in $1 trillion in e-commerce sales, according to the National Retail Federation. Many of those sales came from the purchase and use of prepaid gift cards. This…
In Adult Beverages Curiosity and Convenience Rule
The pandemic made people rethink a number of things, including their desire to try new products. In the convenience store industry, this became apparent among alcoholic beverage purchases, where consumers were interested in trying new flavors, segments and types of beverages. But with gas and other prices going up, is another change on the horizon…
Getting Personal with Loyalty Programs
Just as mobile apps have replaced punch cards in wallets and plastic cards on key rings, loyalty programs have evolved from simple “buy 10, get one free” models to sophisticated marketing programs that are able to determine when people will visit, how often and what they’ll buy. Personalized offers are a key differentiator. Personalization and…
Getting Flexible with Prepaid Cards
Consumers love cards. Credit cards are more popular than ever, with the average U.S. household owning 2.5 credit cards, according to U.S. Census data. And as in other retail industries, prepaid cards have exploded in popularity in the convenience store industry because of ease of use, options and portability. “As the No. 1 most-requested gift…
Lights, Camera, Action: Surveillance Is A Group Effort
In July, employees of a Sonoma, Calif., Bonneau c-store noticed a car returning throughout the day. Chris Bambury, vice president and general manager of Bambury Inc., which runs three Bonneau c-stores, watched on surveillance as the car returned late at night. So, he called the sheriff’s department to come watch. “About 3 a.m., it all…
Data Segmentation Boosts Loyalty Success
Despite news of the recent Facebook data breach and other high-profile misuses, data is not something to be feared. It is something to be captured and used in a way that benefits both c-stores and the customers they enroll in loyalty programs. According to the Bond 2019 Loyalty Report, 73% of people are “more likely…