Building on the success of the Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) 2010, the Tobacco Plus Expo slated for March 2-3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center is attracting a record level of early interest from both exhibitors and attendees. “A full 10 months out we already have commitments from the majority of last year’s exhibitors, as…
Tapping Into the Buying Power of Hispanic Customers
C-store executives charged with marketing to the Hispanic community may be chagrined to find that there is, when all is said and done, no Hispanic community. Instead, there are many Hispanic communities. According to Chicago-based Doyle Research Associates Inc., “Hispanics possess many cultural similarities like common language, Spaniard ancestry and common religion. On the other…
Boycotted Stations Want BP Help
As many Americans avoid BP stations in protest over the Gulf oil spill, BP-branded station owners are insisting BP do more to help them convince customers that such boycotts hurt independently owned businesses, not the British oil giant, the Associated Press reported. To win back customers, stations want BP to help in reducing the price…
Energizing a Crowded Cold Vault
Energy by the Numbers Although 2009 was the second year in a row of unusual weakness in liquid refreshment beverages’ performance, the worst may be over, said Michael Bellas, chairman and CEO of Beverage Marketing Corp. “Beverages are likely to be one of the first categories to benefit with a job-led economic recovery because they…
First Quarter Declines For Delek US
Delek US Holdings Inc., a diversified energy company with assets in the petroleum refining, marketing and retail industries, announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2010. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, Delek US reported a net loss from continuing operations of $14.1 million, or ($0.26) per basic share, versus a…
Rite Aid Debuts New Rewards Program
Drugstore chain Rite Aid seeks to drive customer loyalty with its new wellness+ customer rewards program that provides members with free health and wellness benefits, as well as shopping discounts and special prices. The program will be supported by a national television, radio, circular and digital advertising campaign. The free Rite Aid wellness+ rewards card…
Shells Launches New Shell Drive For Five Card
Shell Oil Products U.S., in partnership with its credit card issuer Citi, is launching a new Shell Drive for Five Card. The Shell Drive for Five Card will offer new cardholders the opportunity to save five cents per gallon on Shell-branded fuel. Shell believes the new card is one of the first proprietary cards with…
Gulf Oil Returns to the Bluegrass State
Gulf Oil is returning to the Bluegrass State with the initial signing of a branded distributor agreement with Southern Petroleum of Somerset, Ky. Southern will soon begin rebranding nine retail motor fuel outlets (five currently flagged Chevron) to the new Gulf “Sunrise” image. This is the first time in 20 years that a Gulf Oil…
Hess Launches ’Gas Giveaway’ for East Coast Drivers
Hess, the leading independent gasoline convenience store marketer on the Eas Coast, has launched Hess Gas Giveaway, an online contest for residents of 12 states to win up to a year’s worth of free gas. Residents 18 years of age or older who live in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North…
7-Eleven Debuts Cup With A Cause
7-Eleven, Inc. aims to donate more than $2 million to charities as it launches its charity-focused coffee campaign this month: “7-Eleven Coffee Cup With A Cause.” Throughout 2010, 7-Eleven will introduce limited-edition 20-ounce coffee cups designed by entertainment and sports celebrities to be sold in 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Proceeds from cups sold will benefit…