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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Data privacy has become a necessary ingredient in the business fabric for retailers, especially those in the convenience/petroleum industry. Whether you look purely at your customer’s personal information, or broaden your perspective to include employee and business data as well as payment data, the amount of data flowing through your business requires increasing attention to…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised a new set of standards to keep your customers and employees safe. These recommendations include washing hands after touching an item or surface in a public place that may be frequently touched by other people, as well as before touching one’s…

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…