Today, it’s hard to take two steps without hearing about API (application programming interface), but what is it and why is it important for c-store retailers? API is “the way for a machine to talk to another machine,” said Jason Lobel, CEO & co-founder of SwiftIQ, an analytics solutions provider, who spoke on API at…

Smoker Friendly International was launched on professional dedication. By Mary Szarmach Family businesses aren’t unique in retail. And, if you track the roots of many family businesses, you are likely to find that those family roots are intertwined with past experiences in other industries. Still, those roots all start from a single point of origin.…

If you don’t have a program in place to pick your employees brains on a periodic basis your ‘garden of knowledge’ is incomplete. By Bill Scott Here’s an old saying that I’ve heard repeatedly that goes something like this: “Employees will work for money, but they will swim oceans and climb mountains for praise, acceptance…

Before rushing to technology, understanding sales forecasting basics can help position convenience store retailers for success. By John Matthews A while back, a gentleman that wanted help selling his company approached me. I listened to him describe all the attributes of his company and I was intrigued. He gave me an overview of the past,…

Hand-held devices aren’t just convenient; they are the secured cash registers of the future. By Ed Collupy Looking back, I always wanted the opportunity to checkout a customer using a brass cash register, not just seeing and admiring them like a work of art. My cashiering days started on an NCR Class 5 mechanical cash…

May means the end of spring and the beginning of a highly profitable season for holiday business such as around Memorial Day. By Jim Callahan, Contributing Editor Wow, here it is May already—the month that ushers in summer. It’s the super critical period when motorists hit the road and children are on the fly because…

By John Lofstock, Editor Industries everywhere are being shaken up by the rise of the “Membership Economy,” a business strategy that has organizations working to build long-term, formal relationships with their customers. To do this, some companies charge their members a subscription fee. Others simply charge on a per-usage basis. This brings us to the…

By Troy Shoen, Renewable Energy Group Inc. Have you been looking for ways to increase your fuel margins? Attract more customers? Hop on the sustainability trend? Introducing biodiesel blends to your product offering could help you do all three. And here are three tips to put you in a position to start taking advantage of…

There are many factors in creating good managers. Trust is a key consideration. By John Matthews Retailers require good people to reach their goals and convenience stores are no exception. Surrounding yourself with talented people enables all ships to rise—the company, the employees and yourself. While developing an impressive team does not happen overnight, it’s…

Open-air coolers in the middle of the store can help accommodate a growing demand for fresh. By John Wallace Situation: Shrinking revenues from the middle of the store For years, a major U.S. grocery chain had largely taken the middle of its stores for granted — and it wasn’t alone. Throughout the food retail industry,…