A new presidency brings a new set of expectations, concerns and potential hurdles for retailers in the c-store industry. From tobacco regulations, electric vehicle (EV) considerations and so much more, operators need to be up-to-date on legislation and presidential goals in order to thrive in the convenience store space.
To learn more, CStore Decisions’ Senior Editor Emmy Boes sat down with industry professionals Mike Gilligan, president, Gilligan’s Retail; Alison Ritchie, president, New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS); and Matt Mowers, president and national public affairs strategist, Valcour, in an exclusive webinar.
While ushering in a new administration in the White House, swipe fees are still top-of-mind for retailers like Gilligan’s.
“We really hope that this administration takes a look at it and really tackles this big problem,” mentioned Gilligan. “The swipe fees are just so costly to us as retailers and also to the customer coming into our store.”
He noted that some of the solutions to the problem may span multiple administrations, such as incentivizing energy companies to either build or increase capacity in existing refineries through digital investments, which could be a lengthy process, but one that could eventually decrease fuel costs for customers and operators alike.
For Ritchie and NYACS, while swipe fees are still a pressing issue, the menthol and flavored tobacco ban is still something to keep an eye on, even after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdrew its proposed bans last week.
And still, there are state and local considerations that retailers will be contending with this year when it comes to legislation.
“Our members are relieved that the White House has withdrawn the menthol tobacco ban and moved the very low nicotine rule down on the priority list. That was something that we were definitely keeping an eye on,” said Ritchie. “So I think a lot of what we are going to deal with this year is going to be at the state and local level.”
Mowers, who has extensive political experience, noted that Ritchie and Gilligan touched on two important buckets in the industry right now — the energy bucket and the regulatory bucket.
The Trump Administration, according to Mowers, is planning on de-emphasizing regulation, while focusing on bolstering energy infrastructure to eventually lower the cost of oil and other goods.
“If you really want to see a decrease in the cost of goods, you’ve got to get your arms around the cost of fuel,” said Mowers. “And this ties in closely with what retailers and fuel merchants are going to be experiencing as well. I think the administration recognizes that you also do better when prices are actually down, because consumers go and they are willing to fill up the entire tank … And that’s good for everyone on the regulatory side, too. For businesses, I think they’re going to see a lot of benefit.”
The webinar covered a variety of other topics, from cannabis and alcohol to tax bills and EV infrastructure. Click here to view the full recording.
