By John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. One of the most-asked questions I hear from store owners is “What sales volume does my store need in order to make money?” While it would be convenient to rattle off a sales figure off the top of my head, it undoubtedly is a…
Thorntons Earns Top Chain Honors
Kentucky operator presented the industry’s most prestigious retail award at a gala in Chicago. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. Convenience Store Decisions honored Louisville, Ky.-based Thorntons Inc. as its 22nd annual Convenience Store Chain of the Year at an exclusive dinner at Café Spiaggia in Chicago last month during the NACS Show. More than 200…
Understand the Rules Customer Service
One unhappy shopping experience can influence the behavior of 16 customers. Can you afford to lose that business? By Jim Callahan. Great customer service is still and will always be the hallmark of any successful retail business. As convenience store operators we have high standards to compete with. For example, it is standard practice in…
The Business of Growing
Overcoming the top nine challenges for effectively growing your retail business requires true leadership and patience. By John Lofstock, Editor. The hardest step entrepreneurs take is getting their startup off the ground once and for all. The second hardest step is growing it into the best business it can be. What today’s entrepreneurs and aspiring…
Promoting Your Store Through Public Relations
By: John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. Public relations can often be overlooked as a powerful tool in communicating your store and its brand throughout the community. Whether you are creating news, sponsoring an event or contributing to a charitable organization, a prudent public relations strategy can create the following benefits…
Shell Announces Growth In Upstream Americas
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) has reconfirmed strong momentum in its businesses in the Americas. Shell’s oil & gas production in the region could reach one million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2014, an increase of 40% on current levels, subject to the pace of investment, which could be $40 billion for the…
Mansfield Oil Named Top Technology Innovator
Mansfield Oil Co., an independent supplier of refined fuels, ethanol and diesel exhaust fluid nationwide, has been selected as the top technology innovator in the Energy and Utilities industry in this year’s Information Week 500. The 2010 awards and overall rankings were revealed last week at a gala awards ceremony at the exclusive InformationWeek 500…