C-store companies that understand frontline employees are a key cornerstone to any brand’s overall success will always have an edge on the competition. By Jim Callahan, Contributing Editor There are few things more important to the success of a c-store company than making sure each customer leaves the store feeling better than when they arrived.…
Joining in the AI Revolution
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to change the face of retail within the next decade. Is your c-store chain prepared? By Erin Del Conte, Senior Editor At a Shell station at Eighth and Market streets in San Francisco, a five-foot tall, 400-pound robot acts as the forecourt security guard. It’s equipped with four cameras, each…
This Technology Can Improve Your Fuel Quality
Distillation can improve fuel quality for retailers and solve other key issues. By Troy Shoen, Renewable Energy Group If I were to tell you this blog post explains how distillation works, you might run and hide. That sounds too much like a return to chemistry class. But what if I were to tell you this…
Loyalty Points to Ponder
When considering a new loyalty program, asking the right questions can help you determine which option is best for your business. By Ed Collupy Many convenience operators have their own experiences they can rely on related to loyalty programs either from their own efforts or one they’re supporting through major oil brand partners. In many…
Convenience Stores and Trusted Partnerships
Shoppers come to convenience stores to get their needs met. But if retailers don’t fully understand what shoppers want, efforts to capture more of their business will probably miss the mark. This has been one of the biggest challenges facing c-stores over the past couple of years, especially as retail is changing so dramatically. Retail,…
Nurturing Leaders and Your Corporate Culture
Corporate culture must be well defined to best entice top talent to join your ranks. By John Lofstock In today’s competitive convenience store industry, your corporate culture values and what you stand for are just as important to customers as the products you sell. More precisely, it is what defines your brand in the community…
Options Fuel Acquisition Frenzy
The economy is open to convenience retailers intent on upgrading their operations. Learn what you need to know about debt financing and sales leasebacks in the current real estate environment. By Mark Radosevich The ongoing waves of petroleum industry consolidation and acquisitions have been the news of late, but not much has been reported about…
The Newest Innovation in Alternative Fuels
By Troy Shoen, Renewable Energy Group As I blogged about earlier this summer, the fuel landscape is changing for retailers. Gasoline consumption is declining, but demand for diesel is strong. Another shift is the growing sustainability trend and its effect on transportation. Fleets and individual drivers are looking for cleaner solutions, and federal, state and…
Acting on Data Analysis
Asking simple questions of your scan data can help improve operations and increase sales. By Jeremie Myhren Most convenience stores today are collecting scan data, but that’s only half the battle. Knowing how to maximize your data analysis to drive sales, best the competition and improve your bottom line is the ultimate goal. In order…
NAG Partners with Folds of Honor
Rocky Sickmann, who retired from Anheuser-Busch in 2016 and is a survivor of the Iran Hostage Crisis, understands the dangers facing our military servicemen and women. That’s why Sickmann joined Folds of Honor in 2016 as a senior vice president. With his involvement in Folds of Honor, Sickmann has been able to educate and encourage…