Innovation will differentiate the winners from the losers in this crowded retail marketplace. IRI’s Summit 2010 will enable retailers to identify innovative ways to use valuable insights to drive profitability and growth in the current economy, how to understand and predict shopper behavior across channels and geographies and learn best practices for profitable pricing and…

Kum & Go has named Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods (CJRW) as the company’s advertising agency of record. Starting January 2010, CJRW will aid in the strategic development of Kum & Go marketing initiatives and will execute materials ranging from in-store signage to broadcast advertising for Kum & Go and its portfolio of proprietary products. This…

Shell, building off the momentum of the Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines launch in 2009, is kicking off 2010 with a multi-million dollar, multi-faceted marketing campaign to continue educating consumers on the benefits of using Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, including the premium grade Shell V-Power gasoline. Through exciting national advertising, grocer rewards programs, quarterly PR engagements…

  Del Monte Fresh Produce Company has launched its newly redesigned corporate Web site. The new site, www.freshdelmonte.com, has been designed to better serve Del Monte’s customers. It features a more streamlined navigation, a fresher and more contemporary look and flash animation. The site also features a new sustainability section, which highlights Del Monte’s achievements…

Great stores, outstanding service and a commitment to its people helped MAPCO Express garner Chain of the Year honors in 1996. The company has changed quite a bit since then, but the focus on convenience store operations remains stronger than ever. MAPCO Express, as it exists today, was formed with Delek US Holdings’ acquisition of…

Though gas prices have dropped significantly from a year ago, forecourt-driven sales are still a challenge for many convenience stores because people aren’t buying gas as freely as they did several years ago. The reason? Our troubled economy makes it tough for many to afford the long car trips. Fewer trips mean fewer opportunities to…

While many chains are still feeling the crunch from the current economic recession, others are seeing opportunity. Count MAPCO Express among the companies waiting to pounce. MAPCO Express, a subsidiary of Delek US Holdings, has a long history in convenience retailing. It continues rolling out an upscale convenience store concept, branded MAPCO Mart, and is…

Convenience stores across the country are facing burgeoning competition on beer and wine sales from drug store giant Walgreens, which is branching back into the adult beverages category. Walgreens is adding beer sales due to “a direct response to consumer demand,” said Robert Elfinger, spokesperson for the Deerfield, Ill. drug store chain. It plans to…

As John Matthews sees it, a store languishing in mediocrity is a store that has become wallpaper in the halls of retail.   “Generally, when starting a business, it’s easy to get people excited when its new and fresh,” said Matthews, founder of Chicago-based retail marketing firm Gray Cat Enterprises. “After a few years, though,…