Aloha Petroleum Ltd., the Hawaii-based gas retailer and convenience store operator, has unveiled the first ‘ground-up’ version of a new prototype design for its convenience store-fuel sites that highlights the chain’s local roots. Designed by CBX, the strategic branding and retail design consultancy, the 3,000-square-foot store and adjoining gas islands with five pumps opened in…
No Repeal and No Deal for MotoMart
Despite MotoMart’s recent efforts, the city of Neenah, Wis., refused to repeal its ban on alcohol sales in convenience stores. The Neenah, Wis. Common Council turned down MotoMart’s request to repeal the city’s ban on c-store alcohol sales on Wednesday, Aug. 3. The Post Crescent Online reported that the Common Council voted 8-1 to deny…
The National Advisory Group: Building Profits and Relationships
Only one more week to capitalize on early bird registration for the 2011 NAG Ideas Conference in Savannah, Ga. There is more pressure than ever on convenience store chains to not only exceed customers’ expectations, but to stay ahead of the competition, navigate legislative issues and still be good corporate citizens in the communities they…
Hess Reports Q2 Financial Results
Hess Corp. releases its second quarter estimated results for 2011, including a net income increase compared with one year ago. Hess Corp. reported net income of $607 million for the second quarter of 2011, which is up from $375 million for the second quarter of 2010. The after-tax income (loss) by major operating activity was…
MotoMart Challenges City Ban
One Wisconsin MotoMart store aims to change city regulations on alcohol sales. MotoMart is challenging alcohol laws in Neenah, Wis., that prohibit retailers that sell fuel from also offering customers alcohol, the PostCrescent Online reported. MotoMart argues that the current law is archaic, and that it puts the city’s convenience stores at a competitive disadvantage…
Food Lion Expands In South Carolina
Food Lion unveils six new stores it acquired from grocery store chain Bloom, and assures customers it plans to offer as many of Bloom’s key products as possible. The Food Lion is increasing its business in Greenville, S.C., with the opening of six new stores it acquired from grocery chain Bloom. Seven Bloom stores in…
Convenience Evolution Partners Launches Core Consulting Services
Convenience Evolution Partners (www.convevo.com), a retail consulting firm, recently launched by Greg Ehrlich, a c-store loyalty, operations and marketing expert, announced the creation of two new service offerings to provide consulting services to convenience store retailers and suppliers. The first service group, CEP Strategic Advisor SM, essentially augments a c-store chain’s senior management team with…
Shell To Sell Downstream Businesses in Finland, Sweden
Shell has agreed to sell the majority of its refining and marketing businesses in Finland and Sweden to Keele Oy. The terms of the transaction, which are subject to regulatory approvals, include Shell’s retail business, including some 340 service stations in Sweden and some 225 in Finland, as well as its commercial road transport (CRT)…
Walgreens Announces Share Repurchase Program
The board of directors of Walgreen Co. has authorized a new $1 billion share repurchase program, which will expire at the end of 2012. The board also declared a regular quarterly dividend of 17.5 cents per share, a 27.3% increase over the year-ago dividend. The dividend is payable Dec. 11, 2010, to shareholders of record…
What’s Next With Swipe Fees?
“Since credit cards were introduced more than 60 years ago, no one dared step in to challenge the powerful banks. We did. And we got change,” said NACS President and CEO Hank Armour in his Opening General Session address on Oct. 6 at the NACS Show. NACS’ “audacious goal” to fight swipe fees, said Armour,…