Lisa White

C-stores of yesteryear just won’t cut it in today’s more sophisticated and diverse convenience channel. While many of the same products remain, they are being overshadowed by restaurant-quality foodservice programs, high-end beverage offerings and beer caves that rival some liquor stores. Savvy c-store retailers are successfully modernizing their locations to best attract today’s high customer…

The chocolate category in convenience stores welcomes a revolving door of innovative flavor launches and updated packaging formats to ensure something new tempts customers as they make their way to the checkout. “Customers want innovation in chocolate and eventually go back to their tried-and-true favorites, which drives a temporary shift in share from an established…

Restroom cleanliness may not sound as glamorous as other popular convenience store initiatives like frictionless checkout or proprietary foodservice, but getting the basics of store cleanliness right has a massive impact on a business’s bottom line.  This goes double in the c-store channel where restrooms drive traffic, and customer perception of restroom sanitation can make…

Innovative flavors, formats and packaging have increased trial and impulse sales for the c-store gum and mint category. From new flavors to different formats, unique textures and creative packaging and even functional varieties such as products geared toward increasing energy or enhancing nutrition, the gum and mints category is changing quickly. Chicago-based market research firm…

Convenience store pizza programs have become more extensive in the convenience channel, as the roller grill segment continues to evolve. When Ryan Krebs, director of foodservice at York, Pa.-based Rutter’s Farm Stores, joined the 69-store chain three years ago, each location offered a standard personal pan pizza, ordered from a made-to-order kiosk. “Sales were declining,…

From incorporating wireless technology to remote monitoring, today’s ATM technology offers more benefits for c-stores. Team Oil Travel Center’s ATM is one of the Spring Valley, Wis. Store’s best profit margin items per square foot. This wasn’t the case back in 2005, when the c-store’s ATM was contracted out. “We realized we weren’t making any…

Although retailers report prepaid cards are targeted to a specific customer segment in the convenience channel, there is potential for growth with these money makers. With credit card and identity theft on the rise, prepaid cards have become a safer alternative for those seeking more disposable, anonymous payment options. Unlike big box and drug stores,…

The growing ready-to-drink tea segment is spurring more retailers to expand their cold vault selections while employing their own lines of flavorful, fresh-brewed teas. It wasn’t that long ago that juice and tea beverages were being overshadowed by the hard-charging introduction of energy drinks, thirst-quenching ‘ades’ such as Powerade and Gatorade and the ever-evolving lines…

Although smoking rates have been on the decline, cigarettes remain a leading performer for convenience stores. In 2016, convenience stores captured 85% of all sales through sales from just six categories: Cigarettes, packaged beverages, candy, beer, salty snacks and other tobacco products (OTP), based on the latest research data from the Nielsen Co. According to…

Technology for menu boards and kiosks is quickly revamping how foodservice is being delivered in the convenience channel. Utilizing traditional back-lit LED frames for menu boards, Pride Stores, a St. Charles, Ill.-based retailer with 12 stores, wanted to step its foodservice program up a notch. The opportunity arose when the chain built its first free-standing…