Well, we didn’t see that coming! How many of us would have predicted that for the better part of two years, the entire planet has had their professional lives turned upside down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From industries that were shuttered to millions of us forced to work remotely, our work lives have been…

The National Advisory Group (NAG) Conference began its third day on Tuesday, March 29, with educational sessions on relevant topics, followed by information exchanges. Business Outcomes The first educational session, “Driving Targeted Business Outcomes,” included speakers Ieva Grimm, chief operating officer of Jim Dandy Stores; Rachel Puepke, vice president of marketing at CEFCO; and Sorin…

According to Bradley Corp.’s Healthy Handwashing Survey conducted in January, upon entering the third year of the pandemic, Americans are not only more sensitive to germs in public restrooms, they now hold higher standards for the cleanliness, condition and technology used in these shared spaces. Despite ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks, most Americans have not been deterred…

Circle K decided that more than 4,000 of its national stores will carry over 200,000 of G Medical Innovations Holdings’ LiveNow COVID-19 PCR collection kit tests. Another 300,000 kits will ship to the retailer within the next few weeks. The kits are expected to generate approximately $12 million in revenue, based on the expected return…

January’s National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Monthly Economic Review noted the economic effects of the COVID-19 omicron variant. The variant will bring uncertainty to the economy in 2022 and could contribute to inflation, but is unlikely to cause widespread shutdowns or slowdowns, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Even with the experience of the past two…

Nearly two-thirds of US adults agree that the pandemic has made them reevaluate their life priorities, according to Mintel research on American values. In food and drink, U.S. adults say the pandemic caused the most change in where they eat, how they grocery shop and how they approach their diets. Many of these new habits…

In response to a national shortage of COVID-19 test options, Pittsburgh, Pa.-based McDade Products LLC has partnered with G Medical Tests and Services, a division of G Medical Innovations, to make several million FDA EUA-approved COVID-19 PCR collection kit tests available for retailers to sell by the end of January. McDade Products is a division…

Even more than chains, independent c-store operators need to earn consumers’ trust every time they enter the store, and nothing can destroy that trust more quickly than unsanitary food handling practice. Foodborne illness can cripple a c-store’s foodservice program, which makes teaching and enforcing the basics an essential part of an independent’s training program. The…

COVID-19 has heavily affected the U.S. food and beverage industry, especially driving consumers’ awareness of health and wellness, looking for products they view as better-for-you. In 2020, sales reached $39 billion on the strength of pandemic trends as reported by marketplace analyst Packaged Facts‘ report ”Better-for-You Snacks: Market Trends and Opportunities.” In 2020 especially, more…

In the battle to be the first to market with new products, retailers face fierce competition from other industry operators and cross-channel marketers. Despite the battle for that share of wallet, chains have come to depend on their wholesalers and product manufacturers for the information they need to make smart business choices. The convenience store…