Industry standards improve profitability by reducing costs and improving competitiveness. By Ed Collupy Standards, in my early days of retailing, were always there to set expectations, something to work by, and measure compliance success with. Then I learned about technical standards. NAXML, EDI, ISO, ARTS, PCI—and the acronyms go on. These weren’t as easy to…
Community Involvement: Blog Postings
By Ed Collupy, executive consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group We’re all part of many different communities – where we live, who we socialize with, membership in professional organizations, groups we learn from and our workplace. In each community you have the opportunity to listen, become an active participant in discussions, be challenged by many points…
Innovative Shopping Mall: A Selling & Buying Experience
By Ed Collupy, executive consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group There was a long line when I ordered my coffee at the airport, but it moved pretty well. I placed my order, paid cash and proceeded to the pickup area. The baristas prepared a variety of drinks, placing them in a random fashion on the counter as…
Priority = Do the Right Thing
By Ed Collupy, executive consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group Over the years I’ve always had a book or two on my desk at work and near my comfy spot at home. Some I started and put aside, others I read in a couple of days, but many took time to get through. I read to…
Unwrap the eB2B Gift
By Ed Collupy, executive consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group It’s the time of year of giving and reflection—throughout the convenience store industry people come together in many different forums and give of their time to help each other and you. As I look back on 2015 one group that has been hard at work advocating for…
Mobile Payments Making Noise
By Ed Collupy, executive consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group “Cha-Ching!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kd7LcKbaUA) With all the announcements about mobile payments over the past few weeks I’ve been hearing, in my mind, the sound of an older cash register when the total button was pushed, and thinking that it should become the ringtone for mobile payments. Clearly all…
The EMV Journey at the NACS Show
By Ed Collupy, executive consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Yogi Berra may have had some insight into the EMV challenge the Convenience Store industry faces when this “Yogi-ism” was uttered back in 1973. There was discussion and frustration regarding EMV from many attendees of this year’s NACS Show, which…
How to Take Advantage of Learning Opportunities
Retailers looking for insights on the technology front, whether it’s optimizing data or adding a mobile payment system, can find it at the NACS Show. By Ed Collupy The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show being held this month offers convenience store retailers an opportunity to learn about the latest trends and innovations impacting…
How Data And Business Intelligence Tools Can Help Your C-Store
By Ed Collupy, executive consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group Put yourself in the shoes of the person who is looking for an answer! That’s just what Brandy Clark of Clark’s Pump-N-Shop did recently. You and members of your field team are on the road and are wondering how your stores are doing. You are having a…
Conferences Provide Valued Experience
“Life is a journey, with problems to solve, lessons to learn, but most of all, experiences to enjoy.” Ritu Ghatourey By Ed Collupy, executive consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group Stimulation….I recently heard at the NCR Synergy Users Conference Mario Andretti talk about his racing career and that his motivation to drive was always about stimulation…