Picture this: Foodservice sales at your convenience stores were moving along nicely at the start of the year, but over the last few weeks, or even months, food sales began to fall flat or perhaps even behind last year. When food sales decline, getting back to basics and ensuring best practices are in place can…
Providing Financial Services Gives C-Stores an Edge
For decades, “cokes and smokes” ruled convenience stores’ operating model. Then foodservice and scanning brought a new age for retailers. Today, digital disruption is again transforming the way c-stores operate, pushing them to take giant leaps into new areas of operation like financial services to help customers manage money. Much of these financial services revolve…
McLane President and CEO Grady Rosier to Retire, Tony Frankenberger to Assume the Role
McLane Company Inc. announced that Grady Rosier will retire as the company’s president and CEO, effective Aug. 28. He will be succeeded by Tony Frankenberger. Rosier has worked for McLane for more than 36 years and has held the title of president and CEO for the last 25 years of that time. His influence has elevated…
NAG/YEO Conference: Experts Bring Clarity, Direction to Data Privacy Issues
Session No. 2 of the 2020 NAG/YEO Virtual Conference featured a pair of presenters with more than 50 years of combined experience with issues related to data collection and usage policies. NAG President John Lofstock welcomed Alan J. Thiemann, general counsel for Conexxus Inc., the technology standards arm of the National Association of Convenience Stores…
Secrets of the Cold Vault
When stocking the cold vault, it’s no secret that retailers need to start with a basic planogram featuring big sellers. Operators must then make sense of the wide array of variables that can sway cold vault success or failure. Add to that the current influx of innovation in the category, and decisions can be difficult.…
Experts Weigh In on Speedway Deal
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…
Tobacco Turns a Corner
When COVID-19 first hit the U.S. in March and April, customers began stocking up on essentials and favorite items, including tobacco products like e-cigarettes and cigars — a likely combination of a few factors including decreased shopping trips as well as increased stress. Cigars in particular saw a spike in sales in the short-term along…
Food Safety Takes Center Stage at NAG/YEO Virtual Conference Kickoff
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…
How to Retain Newly Acquired Digital Consumers
The COVID-19 pandemic has made customers hyperaware of physical touch points while shopping, so it comes as no surprise that retailers across verticals have seen substantially more customers opting to use their digital commerce experience (DCXs). For many c-stores offering a digital experience today, their DCX consists of an online ordering interface, SMS or email…
C-Stores Pivot to Recapture Food Sales
At a time when it seems that every day brings new guidelines and restrictions on restaurants due to the COVID-19 pandemic, savvy convenience store operators are positioning their foodservice as a safe and reliable source of fresh, delicious and convenient meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “While some guests will gravitate toward grab and go,…