As c-stores chase the future, are they throwing away some of the things that make them valuable? By Bill Scott As alluded to by Mel Hayne’s contribution, “Always A Good Read”, it seems to me like the majority of the convenience store industry is moving away from its original concept and turning into an upscale…
Myth Buster: Biodiesel and Cold Weather
By Jon Scharingson, Renewable Energy Group Inc. A year ago at this time, I wrote a CSD column about five common biodiesel myths. Today, I want to go deeper into one that is especially timely. It’s the myth that biodiesel doesn’t work in the cold. I still hear this from people, but it simply is…
Are Bad Breaks Bad Luck or Bad Choices?
By Jim Callahan Who among us has not been bitten by the failure bug? All of us, including me. The question that sometimes lurks in our minds is usually this: Was I a victim of circumstance or did I play an active role in this bad luck incident? I decided a personal theme for this…
Plunge in Gasoline Demand over Thanksgiving Sparks Selling
Fuel Marketer Intelligence: Supply Chain Dynamics to Retail Fuel Prices By Brian Milne Gasoline futures closest to physical delivery ended November at a two-week low following disappointing demand over the Thanksgiving Day holiday while a closely watched and much anticipated meeting by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and 10 non-OPEC oil producing countries…
Looking at 2018 and Beyond
From biometrics to augmented reality, technological opportunities are starting to move faster. By Erin Rigik Del Conte, Senior Editor Technology has evolved faster in the last five years than it has in decades, bringing changes that are disrupting major industries, including the c-store industry. I recently spoke with Futurist Daniel Burrus to get his take…
A Warning to Suppliers and Convenience Store Retailers
Amazon is taking note of c-store deficiencies. Can retailers and suppliers work together to overcome inventory challenges? By Bill Scott A full-line grocery supplier’s job is to deliver merchandise to a retailer that the retailer can sell and earn a profit. The advantage the supplier offers to the retailer includes credit (normally 10 days), product…
Popular Food Trends May Create Safety Challenges in 2018
Whether they’re adding smoothies, cookie dough or vegan and gluten-free options, c-stores need to make sure they’re following food safety best practices. By Gina (Nicholson) Kramer Those delicious fruit smoothies your store sells to health-conscious customers may be popular. But they may not be safe. Several modern food trends – including the smoothie craze –…
The Expanding Back Office
Cloud and mobile are among the technologies pushing the envelope of internal store systems. By Ed Collupy Recent store visits have often allowed me to spend time in the ‘back office’ and have reaffirmed for me that retail store managers have a lot going on. There are people interactions, printed and posted operational & marketing…
Controlling Your Stores
Many store tasks can produce big headaches if they all come at once. By Jim Callahan. Many years ago when I was still fairly new to the industry, I was tasked with dragging five utterly sorry convenience stores into compliance and profitability. I say with a wee touch of embarrassment that nothing in my career…
Creating the Frictionless Journey Your Customers Want and Demand
Create a powerful customer experience solution where the customer can easily identify and manage their relationship with your brand. By Ed Collupy These were insights & remarks I prepared for a session on Customer Engagement that I cohosted with Matt Miller from NCR in the International Hub at the 2017 NACS Show. I want to…