Discussion focuses partly on enabling consumer choice at the pump and why E15 is growing in sale volume when offered. President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 9 that he would seek the lifting of an existing federal regulation that limits the sale of E15-blend gasoline during summer months. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibits…
NACS Comes Clean About Car Washes
Now, more than ever, is the time for convenience retailers to analyze the costs and benefits of adding a car wash to their existing operations. Because a growing number of U.S. consumers believe washing you’re their vehicles at a professional wash is more convenient, enjoyable, better quality and value, safer for the environment and costs…
General Merchandising Made Easy
The convenience store industry has become a highly competitive channel that battles to gain market share and share of wallet from each and every consumer. In the bid to create in-store sales, even secondary categories such as general merchandise have gained critical status in the last few years. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Once general…
NACS Sessions Cover Many Topics
From private labeling to SNAP to getting to know your customers, the 2018 NACS show in Las Vegas is teaching retailers how to thrive. The National Association of Convenience Stores kicked off the 2018 NACS Show Oct. 6 with a host of education sessions designed to inform convenience store owners and operators about the latest…
Adding Protein to Ice Cream
At the top of the healthy heap is Halo Top, an ice cream brand that has been out a few years, but is spurring a following in more c-stores. By David Bennett, Senior Editor It wasn’t that long ago that yogurt was the cream of the frozen and refrigerated dairy and novelty category. In fact,…
Bill Kent Gauges a Changing C-Store Industry
The chief executive of The Kent Cos. dishes on topics central to today’s convenience channel, including mergers and acquisitions, foodservice and the need for more workers. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Bill Kent, president of Midland, Texas-based The Kent Cos., which operates a chain of 44 Kent Kwik Convenience Stores, recently sat down with Convenience…
Weathering Hurricane Florence
Located directly in the path of Hurricane Florence, the Holt Cstore chain is making the best of a scary situation. Convenience retailers often have to prepare of severe weather, but the Holt Cstore chain, based in Wilmington, N.C., sat tight Thursday afternoon nervously eying Hurricane Florence, with little recourse but to wait. “Right now we…
Twice Daily Is Refining Retail
Now with a one-of–a kind coffee concept, the Tennessee-based c-store chain is blending the best of what convenience has to offer. By David Bennett, Senior Editor The Twice Daily brand name came from the concept of having a store with such compelling foodservice offers and a wide variety of traditional convenience store products that guests…
EG Group Buying Minit Mart
The UK retailer is making fast inroads into the U.S. convenience channel with its latest acquisition. After a $2.15 billion acquisition of Kroger’s convenience store business earlier this year, EG Group is purchasing the Minit Mart sites from TravelCenters of America (TA) for more than $300 million. EG Group is a privately-held petroleum forecourt convenience…
Packaged Sandwiches Show Growth
Prepackaged sandwiches may be considered old school by some in the convenience store industry, but new generation shoppers appreciate that such food choices fit their busy lifestyles. By David Bennett, Senior Editor If beverages and tobacco products are the backbone of traditional c-store merchandising, then pre-prepared sandwiches arguably might be the the foodervice legs in…