The announcement today that the largest U.S. c-store chain, Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven, will grow to 14,000 North American locations with the $21 billion acquisition of Speedway, the No. 3 chain, has prompted many questions as to how the combination of the two will affect the rest of the industry. Convenience industry consultant Frank Beard said…

This year’s NAG & YEO Virtual Conference kicked off Jan. 29, with “Executing a Safer Retail and Foodservice Program,” an hourlong session addressing the two core services vital to convenience store success, food and safety. The session’s trio of speakers brought expertise from different perspectives with one consistent message – don’t resist change; adapt to…

By Jeff Hoover Customer rewards programs are a core component of marketing for convenience stores that are proven to increase revenue by driving incremental visits and sales. Rewards programs also enhance the customer experience, establishing brand loyalty and opening communication channels to engage customers directly. A carefully crafted rewards program presents an opportunity to drive…

  Canada-based Alimentation Couche-Tard announced last week that it plans to divest itself of 1,250 stores in the U.S. market in anticipation of gaining U.S. Federal Trade Commission approval of a planned purchase of Marathon Petroleum Corp.’s Speedway chain. Couche-Tard is the second largest convenience retailer in the U.S. with just under 6,000 stores under…

A CSD Exclusive The large, densely populated inner-cities are among those areas to be hit the hardest by COVID-19. The consequences have already impacted, and in some cases redefined, every single sector of the community, according to exclusive research from National Retail Solutions (NRS). For the urban dweller, it has disrupted everything about their lives,…

As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, c-stores are doing on a faster track what the convenience industry has done time and again for decades – adapt. Chains, large and small, have implemented safety measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as federal, state and local authorities, as operators juggle long-valued…

With a general public staying at home, wisely shy about venturing out amid the COVID-19 health emergency, La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip is making it easier for hungry, homebound customers to have food come to them by waiving delivery fees. Consumers can be forgiven for expecting some unscrupulous operators to take advantage of the situation…

The latest data from foodservice market research firm Datassential was released on March 17, summarizing the response of consumers as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated in the United States. The report acknowledged what it called a “wave of fear” due to the uncertainty of just how wide the disease has spread. “Store shelves are wiped clean…

Today’s convenience store chains face a unique challenge. Despite recognizing the value of improving their leadership pipelines and making investments in leadership development, nearly 30% of them still describe their candidate pool as “weak” or “very weak.” Even worse, only 7% reported “excelling” at developing millennial leaders, which is quite troubling given that millennials are…

As the coronavirus cases pass 100,000 worldwide and 230 cases in the U.S., as reported by CNN, businesses — and especially foodservice providers — are working to set protocols to keep people safe. “The coronavirus/COVID-19 scare affects many types of companies, and in particular those in the food industry. From restaurants to catering and delivery,…