As the tobacco industry awaits word from the Federal District Court on whether a corrective-statement sign settlement is approved, c-store operators with cigarette programs are wise to learn what it means to be in compliance with corrective-sign requirements and the penalties for non-compliance. At press time, a federal judge had not yet issued an order…

Attracting and retaining quality employees are bigger challenges than ever before for c store operators. Meanwhile many workers are struggling to make ends meet in today’s inflationary environment. Powell, Tenn.-based Weigel’s, which operates 72 c-stores in east Tennessee, introduced a creative solution that aids recruiting and retention, while benefiting employees. On Oct. 1, 2021, the…

We all know the importance of a well-educated workforce, and the c-store landscape is certainly no exception. The National Advisory Group (NAG) scholarship fund was developed to help qualified individuals offset some of these costs. Among NAG’s core mission is to help to cultivate and ready the convenience store leaders of tomorrow. In keeping with…

WINNER: CAL’s Convenience  CAL’s Convenience revamped its My Rewards program, offering its members a system with faster rewards. CAL’s Convenience’s My Rewards program underwent a complete overhaul a few months ago, transitioning into a points bank and rewards system.  The chain is headquartered in Frisco, Texas, and operates over 209 locations with the majority in…

With fewer people wearing masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, convenience stores are experiencing an uptick in candy, gum and mint sales and are strategizing to maximize sales in the back half of 2022. But c-store retailers expressed cautious optimism given ongoing market trends. “Everybody’s experiencing the same thing: supply chain issues, labor issues…

In a distinctive twist on the typical convenience store, Fast Break Bait & Tackle houses a fisherman’s paradise, ideally situated in Okeechobee, Fla., on the north end of Lake Okeechobee, which has a vast surface area (730 square miles) and enormous habitat diversity. It is Florida’s largest freshwater lake and the second-largest natural freshwater lake…

In the face of ongoing tobacco regulations and mounting inflation, c-stores are reevaluating their backbar and shining the spotlight on other tobacco products (OTP) to cater to changing consumer preferences. In May, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a marketing denial order (MDO) on JUUL products; however, the court gave the brand new…

2022 has been a big year for Terrible’s. The Las Vegas-based chain began the year with a major rebranding initiative, changing its chain name from Terrible Herbst to Terrible’s, complete with a new logo and fresh signage for the convenience stores. Now, Terrible’s is taking on technology, rolling out its new Terrible’s+ loyalty program, piloting…

As prepaid card popularity soars, c-stores have an opportunity to attract and retain customers with a diverse range of gift card options. Last year, pandemic-influenced shopping habits resulted in $1 trillion in e-commerce sales, according to the National Retail Federation. Many of those sales came from the purchase and use of prepaid gift cards.  This…

Employee training is a crucial investment for convenience store retailers today, and it’s even more important when it comes to the foodservice counter where missteps can result in public health and safety issues that can hurt the business. For those c-stores just embarking on a foodservice program, before developing a training program, retailers must become…