The Nielsen Company recently analyzed the shopping habits of four key generations (Greatest Generation, Boomers, Gen X and Millennials) to understand generational differences in purchasing practices and gain insights into opportunities for CPG companies. Results showed that the Greatest Generation consumers, shaped by the Great Depression and World War II frugality, are the most…
7-Eleven Sells 12-Asset Portfolio
A portfolio of 12 7-Eleven stores, all of which were part of small strip centers, has sold to different buyers in transactions with a combined value greater than $20 million, GlobeSt.com reported. The 12 assets in Nevada, Texas and Virginia were acquired from the locally based 7-Eleven through all-cash deals. Seller representative Mehran Foroughi, senior…
Capitalizing on Coffee
Opportunity for Growth 54% of the overall adult population drank coffee beverages daily in 2009. Coffee preparation at home is up five percentage points, with 83% of past-day coffee drinkers reporting that they made coffee at home the day before. 80% of coffee drinkers are doing nothing different despite the economic downturn. 17% are visiting…
Convenience Industry Holds Strong
When history looks back on 2009 it will not be generous. The U.S. economy was, and to a certain degree, remains locked in the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment is high and the value of the dollar and consumer spending are at near-record lows. While this is bad, it could have been…
Maverik Country Stores to Sell Kronik Energy drinks
Just in time for the summer selling season, Kronik Energy drinks are being added to the vaults of more than 140 company-operated Maverik convenience stores across seven western states. Kronik Energy is being introduced as a new product to the Maverik stores based on customer demand for a fresh, chug-able and thirst-quenching, alternative to the…
Shell Changes Executive Pay
Shell is changing the way it rewards senior managers, less than a year after shareholders revolted against its executive-pay policies, the Wall Street Journal reported. In a letter to investors, Hans Wijers, chairman of Shell’s remuneration committee, said salaries paid to Chief Executive Peter Voser and Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry-who stepped into their current…
Suncor Sells Non-Core Assets in Northeast B.C.
Calgary, Alberta-based Suncor Energy has reached an agreement with Progress Energy Resources Corp. to sell certain natural gas properties for about $390 million (in Canadian dollars). Current production on these lands is about 43.8 million cubic feet equivalent per day (mmcfe/d). The sale includes properties known as Jedney, Beg and Blueberry, which are located in…
Chocolate Sweetens Candy Sales
TOP PERFORMERS Hershey’s Mars HONORABLE MENTIONS Nestlé Ghirardelli While the current recession has slowed down sales of everything from cars to organic groceries, people seem happy to keep shelling out for chocolate, and convenience store owners couldn’t happier. Chocolate is one of the more recession-resilient food sectors. With consumers eating out less and eating at…
Baked Goodness
TOP PERFORMERS Oreo (Nabisco/Kraft) Kellogg’s/Keebler Chips Ahoy (Nabisco/Kraft) HONORABLE MENTIONS Bon Appetit Mrs. Freshley’s (Flowers Foods) Prairie City Bakery Sweet snacks purchases are on the rise at convenience stores creating new sales opportunities across all dayparts. Packaged sweets accounted for 2.6% of the $114,010 stores acquired through average monthly sales in 2008, according to the…
Protecting Cigarette Sales
TOP PERFORMERS Altria Sales & Distribution (Philip Morris USA) R. J. Reynolds Lorillard HONORABLE MENTIONS Liggett Vector Natural American Spirit/Santa Fe (Reynolds American) Commonwealth Brands Despite the wild nine-month ride that saw a large federal tax increase and the Food & Drug Administration gain control over the category, cigarettes continue to dominate in-store sales, accounting…