Since its invention about half a century ago, the frozen dispensed beverage has become a convenience store tradition, with three out of every four U.S. convenience outlets housing a frozen beverage bar. While frozen dispensed beverages are not a huge portion of the typical store’s overall sales, the product is profitable, thanks to a gross…
Getting More From Your POS
New electronic point-of-sale (POS) solutions are rolling out constantly, pushing retailers to make wise decisions based on their needs. Moreover, with PCI compliance nearing, finding the right solution can be more difficult. POS system owners typically use only a small fraction of the system’s capabilities, noted IBM global products executive Ralph Jacobson. “We did a…
The High Stakes of Compliance
Convenience store operators must stop thinking of Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance as a nuisance to be handled when they have time. It is a serious, costly, complex fact of life—one that can potentially put an operator out of business and one that must be faced head on. It was in September 2006 that the…
Managing Today’s Retail Workforce
Because major shifts in the economy have created unparalleled effects on the labor market, Convenience Store Decisions and Humetrics Inc. collaborated on our first ever human resources study in order to help convenience store owners understand the actions those in our industry are taking–or planning to take–in the coming months. An in-depth survey asked more…
Variety Spicing Up Salty Snacks
In the midst of the recession, more consumers are opting for at-home entertainment, which is good news for the salty snacks category. This trend may account for a jump in sales of chips and popcorn, the quintessential counterparts for an at-home movie. Last year, salty snack sales totaled $4,962 with a profit of $1,867, a…
Here Comes the Sun
As the summer selling season hits its peak, operators must hone best practices to increase market share. Gazing through my crystal ball, I see it boldly predicts summer 2009 is going to bring some very solid sales numbers, indeed greatly increased sales for much of the country. Moreover, as you view this issue of Convenience…
Chevron Shines at Business Summit
Instead of its usual three-day convention, Chevron hosted a two-day business summit for its franchisee and company owned businesses last month, to discuss the state of the economy and best practices for flourishing in hard times. Key economists spoke on the state of the industry, alternative energy, climate change and the future of fossil fuels.…
Demand Grows for Juices and Teas
Tea Truths The U.S. is the birthplace of iced tea. More than 80% of tea consumed here is still sold as an iced drink. Tea sales in the U.S. are expected to exceed a phenomenal $10 billion in 2010 for both beverage and non-beverage categories, according to Worldteaexpo.com In the U.S., 37% of consumers prefer…
Dealers Making a Difference
Pride, hard work and HOPE. These are the three principles that drive Levent Sertbas every day. As president of Sertbas Inc. in Paramus, N.J., Sertbas has had to deal with a number of concerns while operating his two New Jersey On the Run convenience stores, but the two most pressing issues he’s been dealing with…
The Rise of the Aztec Empire
San Diego State University At a Glance San Diego State University (SDSU), founded in 1897, is the fifth-largest university in California with a student body of approximately 38,000 full- and part-time students. Its retail arm, Aztec Shops Ltd., was founded in 1932 as a not-for-profit corporation that functions primarily as an auxiliary of the university.…