Over the past few years, a number of c-store operators introduced mobile apps with the goal of fulfilling an imperative to “go digital.” Digital, however, is much more than an app; a comprehensive strategy includes data, customer relationship management (CRM), social media, optimization and more. In this column, we’ll focus on five key parts of…

Many convenience and fuel retailers have yet to realize the value of researching, developing and implementing a digital marketing strategy that specifically drives customer engagement. Since few of these retailers have built a dedicated, fully capable marketing team — and the IT resources to support it — most brands are limited in the level of…

Evening is the preferred time for food delivery from convenience stores, according to a Bounteous+Hathway study conducted in partnership with the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). For c-stores that don’t yet offer delivery options, delivery can present a fresh opportunity to capture sales during the dinner daypart.  Interestingly, the study also showed that 42% of…

In 1954, American psychologist James Olds and Canadian neuroscientist Peter Milner conducted an experiment to explore the psychological basis of rewards. They found that it’s not actually the rewards that motivate action, but rather it’s the anticipation of a reward, or the stress of desire that catalyzes action. Since then, as a result of predictability…