Study identifies five compelling new platforms that can drive convenience retail growth. Convenience retailers seeking a profitable path to the future now have five compelling growth platforms to explore, following recommendations offered in the final section of a new NACS /Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council (NACS / CCRRC) study posted on www.ccrrc.org. “C-Growth: Using Shopper Research…
Lessons in Retail Leadership
Despite fast-changing customer expectations, shortened product and retail life cycles and rapid technological advancements, many retailers have not taken advantage of opportunities to innovate. By applying new perspectives to established ways of doing business, convenience store retailers can strengthen their competitive and financial positions, improve the customer experience and create a new life cycle of…
C-Store Foodservice Grows To $11.5 Billion
The number of stores with dedicated foodservice personnel has nearly doubled since 2007. In a sign that convenience store operators are successfully ramping up their foodservice efforts, industry consultants Technomic found that average unit volumes for c-stores offering prepared food and dispensed beverages (“true foodservice”) jumped to more than $136k in 2011, up from $123k…
Fast Nickels vs.Slow Dimes
When it comes to competing in the fuel business, convenience store retailers must fight to maintain their market share. By Jim Callahan. I received an inquiry from a small retailer in the Northeast recently who had lost a huge chunk of his fuel volume due to some fierce new competition. This is an issue that…
Sunoco Adds 11 Retail Locations
Latest acquisition strengthens Sunoco’s position as fuels retailer and convenience store operator in Florida. Sunoco Inc. has acquired 11 retail locations in Daytona, Fla., and the surrounding communities in Volusia County from First Coast Energy L.L.P. Each location will be company operated and include an APlus convenience store. “We continue to grow in areas where…
7-Eleven Closes Sam’s Mart Deal
The 55 acquired stores are scheduled for rebranding as 7-Elevens in 2012. 7-Eleven Inc. has closed on the acquisition of 55 Sam’s Mart stores from Sam’s Mart LLC. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Slurpee drinks and Big Bite hot dogs aren’t the only good news 7-Eleven stores’ return to the Greater Charlotte…
C-Store Count Grows 1.2%
Today there is approximately one c-store per 2,100 U.S. residents. The U.S. convenience store count increased to a record 148,126 stores as of Dec. 31, 2011, a 1.2% increase (1,785 stores) from the year prior, according to the latest NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count. The convenience retailing industry has seen remarkable growth over the last…
Thorntons Names Harris Chief Operating Officer
Harris’ leadership of Thorntons’ retail strategy has helped result in the chain’s unprecedented growth, says Thortons CEO. Thorntons Inc. has named Tony Harris chief operating officer (COO) of the Louisville, Ky.-based convenience store chain. Harris will be responsible for operations, marketing, gasoline pricing, brand management, customer experience and retail strategy. A Thorntons Inc. veteran of…
Local Store Marketing: Foodservice Group Sales
By John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. One often-overlooked strategy to generate ancillary foodservice revenues is developing a program to tap group sales. Generating revenue through large group order sales is an excellent way to exponentially grow your business. The sale from the initial large group order is the first source…
Getting Crafty in the Cold Vault
Beer sales are hot right now and driving the push are specialty brews and imports. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Consumer interest in more flavorful food and beverages has led, among other things, to the rise of craft beers. Retailers: Start your engines. Craft beers offer more challenging tastes, authenticity and often even a quirkiness…