As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, leadership and good business decisions are necessary for success. The pandemic did many things to retail, the least of which was to require people in positions of power to make business-altering decisions that will have a long-term impact on the future of their companies. It’s times like these…
Get Prepared for the Possibility of Selling Cannabis
The eventual possibility of selling cannabis is highly appealing to many convenience store retailers. With typical declines in tobacco sales, more fuel-efficient and electric cars impacting fuel volume, and the pandemic impacting foot traffic, this opportunity cannot come fast enough. Currently, the sale of cannabis is fully legal in 17 states and Washington, D.C., and…
Diagnostic Store Assessment
Conducting a diagnostic store assessment is an excellent way to gain opportunistic perspectives for your location. Walking through and evaluating your store — from the eyes of the customer — can provide both strategic and tactical ideas for improvement. Whether it is the exterior appeal of your location to the interior product assortment, layout and…
Elevating Foodservice Packaging
As the pandemic continues, many retailers are doubling down on foodservice as they take the opportunity to update menus, introduce online and/or mobile ordering, as well as delivery and curbside pickup. Savvy c-stores are also considering ways to improve their foodservice packaging, from maximizing branding to upgrading packaging appearance and efficiency. Here are some best…
What Comes After Outdoor EMV?
The April 2021 deadline for implementing EMV at the pump is now in the rearview mirror. Ahead of the final deadline, which was extended from October 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the c-store industry substantially grew its ability to offer outdoor EMV acceptance. Now, retailers now must turn their focus to implementing another technology…
Post-Pandemic Hiring: Are You Ready?
Since the height of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a shortage of skilled workers across all industries in the country. You’ve likely experienced this shortage within your own organization — usually it’s a scarcity of frontline employees needed to man the registers, prepare food and keep shelves stocked. And if you’re a business owner,…
A Return to Normalcy
Just one year ago, I sat down at my desk in my office to write the April 2020 Editor’s Memo and tried to wrap my head around the impact of COVID-19. There were still naysayers that predicted the virus was nothing more than a bad flu, while others spouted doomsday scenarios. Through it all, the…
NAG Scholarship Supports Higher Education
Every student’s story is different, but the financial gap in paying for college is still apparent. In keeping with that theme, the National Advisory Group (NAG) and the Young Executives Organization (YEO) created a scholarship fund for employees and children of NAG member companies. The 2021 NAG Scholarship is named after John MacDougall, who was…
C for Cannabis-Store?
In the year since the COVID-19 pandemic began and as the staggering number of deaths across the globe has increased, so have rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges related to the pandemic’s many impacts on survivors. The pandemic’s toll on mental health and the growing legalization of cannabis products in the U.S.…
Running Out of Time?
It seems that with every passing year, time management becomes harder and harder to get your arms around. With new ways to communicate seemingly appearing daily, the onslaught of message and calendar management seems daunting. How did it get this way so fast, and will it ever slow down? Nope. So, you better try and…