Every student’s story is different, but the financial gap in paying for college is still apparent. In keeping with that theme, the National Advisory Group (NAG) and the Young Executives Organization (YEO) created a scholarship fund for employees and children of NAG member companies. The 2021 NAG Scholarship is named after John MacDougall, who was…
A Brighter 2021 Lies Ahead
Good riddance to 2020. It was the most challenging year for all of us personally and professionally. But as I’ve said so many times, the convenience store industry served as an example of the very best this country has to offer from Day 1 of the deadly coronavirus. In the face of this expanding pandemic,…
Podcast: Tobacco Update With Tobacco Superstores
Joe Marelle, the CEO of Tobacco Superstores in Marion, Ark., and CStore Decisions Editor-in-Chief John Lofstock discuss the state of tobacco and nicotine and what to expect over the next year. CStore Decisions · Tobacco Update with Tobacco Superstores
Appreciating a Job Well Done
In this age of COVID-19, your employees are taking on an even greater role when it comes to serving your customers. The work the industry is doing has been nothing short of amazing in the midst of a global pandemic. Yet, a Gallup survey revealed that 65% of employees haven’t received recognition in the last…
Parker’s Honored as 2020 Chain of the Year
It’s 10 a.m. on a Wednesday, and after 44 years in the industry, no one would blink if Parker’s Founder and CEO Greg Parker took some time off to enjoy a beautiful fall day in Savannah, Ga. But on this warm October morning, Parker is already an hour into training on how to use the…
Recognizing Employees During a Pandemic
The convenience store industry will always be a people business. For many years that meant putting the customer first — rightfully so, it seemed, since they were the people spending the money. But gradually, over the past decade, the top-quartile convenience store chains realized the value they had in their people and that began a…
A Salute to Our Industry
For the first time in 24 years I will not be joining the industry at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show this year in Las Vegas as the COVID pandemic has claimed yet another industry gathering. On paper, it’s just another show in a long line of canceled conferences since March, but in…
What Does it Take to Be an Effective Leader?
For far too many of today’s convenience store executives, finding the time to unwind or take a family vacation is a difficult task. But not making the effort could have a negative impact on the business. By John Lofstock, Editor Did you know 61% of employed Americans expect to have to do some work while…
Dealing With the New Normal
The c-store industry was never for the faint of heart. The competition is aggressive, customers have extremely high standards, and any challenges encountered have to be overcome — and fast. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that retail is evolving constantly to meet customers’ needs. This is not easy to do on short…
Clueless in California
Retailers across the country are struggling mightily to keep their doors open, employees working and sales flowing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A record number of chains have been forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy or shutter their brands altogether. These aren’t some mom-and-pop outfits either. These brands include some of the most venerable and…