For an entrepreneur running a store, it’s a constant balancing act between personal, business and everything in between. A small, independent retailer is constantly challenged with managing the business and yet maintaining a comfortable work/ life balance. The challenge is most real for Mom and Pop shops, where budgets are low for hiring extra staff…
Northern Exposure
By combining the rich experience of Shell Oil with family-owned ingenuity, truenorth convenience stores is poised for a breakout year. By: John Lofstock. There aren’t too many 93-year-old oil companies that have enjoyed decades of success, but have managed to keep a low profile. But the winds of change are blowing at Truenorth Energy LLC…
The Growing Popularity of Growler Beer
Craft on draft is showing up in more and more convenience stores as consumers drive the demand for this niche brew program. Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. Despite restrictions on where and how it can be sold, growler beer is a rapidly growing segment of the beer category, and convenience store operators are getting in on…
Parker’s Convenience Stores Garnering National Attention
Georgia chain debuts on Inc. magazine’s celebrated list of fastest growing companies. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. The Parker Cos. Inc., with 27 convenience stores throughout southeast Georgia and coastal South Carolina, has scored the No. 3006 spot on the annual Inc. 500/5000 Fastest Growing Companies list. It’s the first time the c-store chain has…
Reinventing the Neighborhood Market
Kyle’s Kwik Stop Corner Markets in east Texas is testing a new business model by emphasizing the local community. By Megan Wilkinson, Assistant Editor. On the outside, Kyle’s Kwik Stop’s latest store looks like a simple c-store. Yet, step inside the Longview, Texas unit and customers get a taste of the neighborhood from its breakfast…
The Economics of Energy Efficiency
Convenience stores and many other retail segments have been able to slash operating costs with LED lighting and other equipment upgrades. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. Convenience store chains big and small are finding ways to save money while improving the store experience for customers with energy efficient technologies. When Wawa Inc. was searching for…
Spice Up Sandwiches to Spike Sales
Technomic’s 2012 Sandwich Consumer Trend Report found that more than half (55%) of Americans are now purchasing grab-and-go sandwiches. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. Just two years ago, the top-selling sandwiches at Famima convenience stores were tuna salad, turkey and cheese and egg salad, all on white bread. Today, the same proteins lead the pack,…
Freezing Out the Competition
Establishing an effective frozen beverage offering helps drive customers across all demographics. Megan Wilkinson, Assistant Editor. Frozen beverages have been helping convenience store operators create stronger relationships with younger consumers, but there is an opportunity in this category with all age groups. According to Mintel’s 2012 Convenience Store Foodservice report, frozen beverages ranked as the…
Learning from Wyndham’s Data Breach
How you respond before, during and after your credit card data has been compromised will have a major impact on your chain’s ability to survive a security fiasco. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. In today’s high tech world, no one is immune to a breach. This June, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued hotel dynasty…
Coffee Driving Bakery Sales
To capture a greater share of the breakfast business, retailers are developing fresh bakery programs extensive enough to make their products destination-worthy in the morning and throughout the day. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. Few, if any, local supermarkets or mom-and-pops in the Iowa, Minnesota or Wisconsin market areas where Kwik Trip has its 358…