Rutter’s Children’s Charities will continue its annual Vote with Your Dollars charitable program in 2021. The voting begins April 1 and runs through Oct. 31. This year, 13 Central Pennsylvania charities will be participating in the competition. A total of $70,000 will be given out this year, with the top two places receiving their requested…
Salty Snacks Sales Hit a Snag
The salty snack category in the last few years has experienced a resurgence with new products and healthier options. In its “Salty Snacks: U.S. Market Trends and Opportunities” report published prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Packaged Facts forecast that dollar sales of salty snacks in the U.S. will grow at a compound annual rate of…
Winning the Digital Message
In normal times, a digital transformation can take months, even years. But the COVID-19 pandemic has forced convenience stores to change their messaging quickly to meet customers’ needs in these anything-but-normal, transformative times. While disruptor companies like Amazon, DoorDash, FreshDirect, Blue Apron, etc., are born ready to serve the needs of today’s mobile-obedient customers, traditional…
Energy Market Uncertainty Continues Due to Pandemic, According to US EIA
The U.S. Energy Information Administration released its “Short-Term Energy Outlook” on Feb. 9, citing heightened levels of uncertainty as responses to COVID-19 continue to evolve. Reduced economic activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in energy demand and supply over the past year and will continue to affect these patterns in the future.…
Flyers Energy Acquires Mansfield Energy Sites
Flyers Energy has acquired Fleet Express Commercial Fueling, the Ohio unattended “cardlock” fueling division of Mansfield Energy Corp. The locations—in and around Dayton, Ohio—will be added to Flyers Energy’s Quick Fuel offering on the CFN network. Flyers is actively acquiring commercial fueling companies that fit with their plan to grow nationwide. “This string of locations…
NATO Makes It Easy for Members to Contact Lawmakers
This year will see a significant number of state legislative bills regarding cigarettes, tobacco products and electronic cigarettes/nicotine vapor products. With virtually every state experiencing a budget deficit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers will need to consider tax increases which will likely include higher tax rates on cigarettes, tobacco products and electronic cigarettes/nicotine…
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,…
RAI Trade Marketing Services President Mike Auger Announces Retirement Plans
Mike Auger, president of RAI Trade Marketing Services Co., announced plans to retire in mid-February 2021 after a career spanning a combined 30 years of service and leadership to Reynolds American. Auger joined RAI in 2004, during the RJR / B&W merger, and held several RAI Trade leadership roles including area vice president and vice…
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…