For several years, Rutter’s convenience stores communicated with fuel customers using speakers at the pumps that broadcast audio messages urging drivers to come inside after their fill up and check out the store’s offerings. But times are changing, and so is Rutter’s. This summer, the chain began upgrading that advertising effort by installing full-color NCR…

By the end of 2019, Minnesota will stand alone as the only U.S. state still featuring a 3.2 beer law, a holdover from Depression-era prohibition that restricts grocery and convenience stores to selling beer with 3.2% alcohol by weight, which is about 4% alcohol by volume (ABV). A sign that times are changing, Oklahoma, Colorado,…

In April, Scott Gottlieb resigned as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), causing some observers to speculate that the agency would back off on the pressures his two-year tenure put on the tobacco industry.  But when Ned Sharpless, former director of the National Cancer Institute, was named acting FDA head, he quickly…

As director of human resources for Boise, Idaho-based Stinker Stores, Sandy Bolinske is always on the hunt for new ways to push the chain’s human resources (HR) practices to the next level. In her position, Bolinske oversees recruitment, compensation, training, policy administration, benefits, employee relations, culture and compliance.  Convenience Store Decisions is recognizing Bolinske with…

By investing in more economical options, digital signage can be integrated into your everyday store operations to leverage your brand. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor Signage design is a vital part of any retailer’s business. It’s the first impression customers gather when entering a store location and is one of the most important sales tools…

Better-for-you tea and juice products are helping drive today’s ready-to-drink beverage category. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor Not long ago, consumers seeking an afternoon pick-me-up reached for a bottle of juice or sweetened tea. The drinks were refreshing, tasted great and provided a welcomed energy boost. But today, many shoppers are more concerned about making…

Thoughtful planning and established relationships help smooth the way for angst-free negotiating. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor No matter their size, all convenience store chains have contracts with numerous vendors and service providers, and each contract must be re-negotiated at some point. Preparing for those negotiations several months in advance is an important first step…

High-protein meat snacks address shoppers’ “better-for-you” wants, and grow meat snack sales. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor When Scott Zaremba, CEO of Lawrence, Kan.-based Zarco USA, built his newest convenience outlet, he included a sit-down barbecue restaurant. Immediately, Stanley James Smokehouse, which combines the first names of his and his business partner’s dads, inspired an…

New options in pizza offerings continue to satisfy the nation’s need for delicious tastes and meal-time convenience. A recent poll conducted by CiCi’s Pizza indicates the average American will chow down on approximately 6,000 slices of pizza in his or her lifetime. While 85% of survey respondents said they eat pizza because they like the…

Anymore convenience retailers are expanding their foodservice programs with beverage options offering more, better and different. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor Whether it’s a homemade coffee, a beverage shop latte or a convenience-store brew, Americans turn to coffee when they want to get going, and that trend shows no signs of stopping. In fact, about…