Many convenience store retailers are cognizant of the trend toward healthier foods and are adding better-for-you items to their menus. By John Lofstock, Editor. More salads, fruits and vegetables are finding their way onto convenience store shelves—often for purchase in the morning, or as a late afternoon snack—much to the delight of an increasing number…
Munchy Mart Meeting Student Demands
The University of Northern Colorado has rolled out a new convenience store brand to satisfy student cravings with products they need at prices they can afford. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. When students rolled into the University of Northern Colorado’s (UNC) University Center this fall, Munchy Mart was waiting. The brand new 1,250-square-foot convenience store,…
Flat Holiday Sales Ahead?
As U.S. consumer confidence cautiously edges upward, The Nielsen Co. predicts consumer holiday spending to closely reflect 2009 spending with flat dollar sales at approximately $89 billion, and flat to declining unit sales, down .15%. “As we approach the holiday season, consumer confidence is up slightly, but below pre-recession levels,” said James Russo, vice president,…
Casey’s Earnings Increase 23%
Casey’s General Stores Inc. reported $0.34 in basic earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 ended Jan. 31, 2010, compared to $0.28 for the same quarter a year ago. Year to date, basic earnings per share were $1.87 versus $1.38 for the same period last year. “The acquisition environment has become more…
Grocery Sales Going Up
Signs of the Times Overextended and anxious about the economy, consumers are responding to economic pressures by buying less, borrowing less and paying down credit card debt. The amount Americans owe on credit cards and other consumer loans plunged a record $21.6 billion in July, dimming prospects that the budding economic recovery will extend to…
Targeting New Customers
Gaining market share has never been more important than it is today, when a tough economy is forcing customers to hang on to their money longer. This means that c-store retailers seeking new customers need to become aware of what specific groups need in order to improve their marketing strategies. One such group is the…
Concerns Abound Over Food Costs
In today’s struggling economy, more than half (58%) of U.S. consumers are “very concerned” about rising food prices, The Nielsen Co. found in a new survey on consumer purchasing trends. As consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers and retailers employ options to manage abnormally high cost increases due to raw material and other expenditures, consumers voiced…