John Lofstock

Top-quartile convenience store chains have recruiting and retention habits that give them a leg up on the competition. However, attracting and retaining top-notch talent does not happen overnight. It’s the result of hard work, an excellent training plan and years of experience, and the payoff is incalculable, as we have seen during this COVID-19 crisis.…

Not many retail brands survive for 110 years, but CITGO has not only weathered the competition, it is refreshing its brand image to meet the challenges of a new generation. Today, the Texas-based oil company operates more than 4,600 stores coast-to-coast and has its sights sets on growing its marketer program over the next 12-24…

CSD Editor John Lofstock talks with Suzy Silliman, of NRS, about the impact urban c-stores are having on mainstream c-store sales. CStore Decisions · NRSPodcast

The National Advisory Group’s (NAG) Young Executives Organization (YEO) is pleased to announce that Ryan Faville, director of purchasing for New York-based Stewart’s Shops, was named to the YEO Board of Directors. Faville, who oversees category managers and buyers at the 337 Stewart’s Shops across New York and southern Vermont,replaces Lindsay Lyden, of Ohio-based truenorth, who…

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a directive in December 2019 stating, “It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product — including cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes — to anyone under 21.” The ruling had an immediate impact on convenience stores. Selling tobacco to underage customers will result in fines, penalties…

As cannabidiol (CBD) moves the mainstream, convenience stores are in prime position to benefit from the product’s rapid growth. U.S. sales of hemp-derived CBD products reached $4.2 billion in 2019, a 562% increase over 2018, according to Brightfield Group. While few consumers had heard of CBD prior to 2018, the signing of the Farm Bill…

  As cannabidiol (CBD) moves to the mainstream, convenience stores are in prime position to benefit from the product’s rapid growth. U.S. sales of hemp-derived CBD products reached $4.2 billion in 2019, a 562% increase over 2018, according to Brightfield Group. While few consumers had heard of CBD prior to 2018, the signing of the…

CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock speaks with Mary Brookshire, who worked on the frontlines at Weigel’s convenience stores for 41 years. Mary retired on May 1 and shared some of her most memorable experiences from the past four decades. CStore Decisions · Weigels Podcast

This is a challenging time for all of us as our nation continues to grapple with the current events. I remain amazed at the collective selfless response of those serving on the front lines — from healthcare workers and first responders, to convenience store team members working around the clock to serve customers and keep…

Greg Ehrlich, president of Beck Suppliers, talks with CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock about the company’s FriendShip convenience store chain and the current state of convenience retailing.