As one of the largest franchisees of the Nice N Easy convenience store brand, Clifford Fuel Co. Inc., a petroleum marketer and c-store retailer throughout central and northern New York, pairs the brand recognition and reach of a large c-store chain with the more intimate management of a small franchise. Founded in 1961, the Utica,…

KSS Inc. has introduced PriceNet SaaS, a hosted version of the company’s fuel price management software for convenience and grocery retailers.

 The new solution gives fuel providers the option to obtain automated fuel price management via a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, where the application and accompanying customer database and information resides and is managed by KSS…

By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Understanding the market movements for energy commodities in 2009 has become complicated. The old way of looking at the market through the lens of supply and demand seems to hold less relevance. Now, broad-based economic indicators are overruling an inventory buildup or a slump in demand.…

Like so many facets of a convenience store operation, a car wash can attract new customers and enhance revenue, but only when handled correctly. In this instance, correct handling means everything from finding a big enough location, knowing the competition, having the right type of equipment to focus on speed of service, providing for preventive…

Terry Johnson figured the Uppy’s convenience store chain was on to something good when folks started chatting to each other at the gas pumps. "Nobody does that, unless you know somebody else," said Johnson, vice president of marketing at the Richmond, Va.-based Uppy’s. "It’s kind of like when you’re in an elevator—you just don’t talk…

Alon USA At a Glance: Alon USA is a Dallas-based independent refiner and marketer majority owned by Alon Israel Oil Co. Ltd. It was formed in 2000 when Alon Israel purchased the downstream operations of Atofina Petrochemical. Today, Alon owns and operates the Fina fuel brand and Southwest Convenience Stores LLC (SCS), the largest 7-Eleven…

Fleet Card Facts There are an estimated 650,000 fleets in the U.S. for a total of nine million vehicles. Currently, fleet cards are the fastest growing segment of MasterCard’s business. Most fleet cards offer valuable and robust reporting/management tools The tools can track mile-per-gallon variances, driving patterns, fuel purchases, calculate various tax exemptions and more.…

Fleet Card Facts There are an estimated 650,000 fleets in the U.S. for a total of nine million vehicles. Currently, fleet cards are the fastest growing segment of MasterCard’s business. Most fleet cards offer valuable and robust reporting/management tools The tools can track mile-per-gallon variances, driving patterns, fuel purchases, calculate various tax exemptions and more.…

Ethanol, of course, is a high-octane, liquid, domestic and renewable fuel, produced by the fermentation of plant sugars typically produced from corn and other grain products. Ethanol also degrades quickly in water and, therefore, poses much less risk to the environment than an oil or gasoline spill. Not only is ethanol generally less expensive than…

Successfully managing a retail fuel operation in today’s fickle market can be daunting since price volatility can undermine predictability in purchasing, pricing and sales. Because handling a high-volume, low-margin product like fuel is so complicated, many convenience store operators are turning to technology for assistance.  One of the best ways to maximize fuel profits is…