The slew of new regulations governing the sale of tobacco products has convenience store operators scratching their heads and wondering where the next assault will come from and what to do about it. For example:• The federal Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (PACT Act) went into effect on June 29, 2010. Its goal is to…

Exceptional leadership, great stores and unsurpassed customer service are the hallmarks of the convenience store industry’s extraordinary chains. Following these guiding principles, Convenience Store Decisions is proud to announce Rutter’s Farm Stores as the 2010 Convenience Store Chain of the Year. At a time when many industry marketers are struggling with exorbitant credit card fees…

As the U.S. economic recession continues, it’s no secret that customers are altering their shopping habits to save a few dollars wherever they can. The silver lining for convenience store retailers could be the resulting affinity credit-crunched customers have developed for the prepaid segment. In a credit weary and increasingly online world, prepaid is helping…

How can you get your employees to excel at a part of the job they probably can’t stand—cleaning the store in general and the restrooms in particular? “It’s a good question, and a never-ending pursuit,” said Tony Bartys, vice president of retail operations and marketing for Valero Energy Corp. in San Antonio. “It’s a challenge,…

Swisher International Inc. has combined one of its newest and most popular flavors with the convenient shape of mini cigarillos to make the new Swisher Sweets Mini Wine Cigarillos. These new, smaller cigars offer the quick smoke many customers prefer, and come individually wrapped with the company’s unique special sealed-fresh wrapper to ensure fresh, flavorful…

FuelQuest Inc., an on-demand software and services company for the downstream energy industry, has released ForeSite, an innovative, map-based fuel inventory management solution that deploys in a single day. Offering real-time views of inventory across multiple sites, ForeSite gives retailers control and visibility over their fuel inventory, reducing runouts and retains, as well as optimizing…

To enhance its line of Musselman’s single-serve apple sauces, Knouse Foods is launching two new flavors: Totally Fruit Mixed Berry and Healthy Picks Granny Smith. Perfect for a multitude of foodservice operations, the apple sauce cups are an on-the-go solution, healthy meal accompaniment and anytime snack option. With flavors that appeal to all ages, each…

Samuel Adams OctoberFest is brewed to celebrate the arrival of autumn. The first thing customers will notice when pouring a glass of this seasonal beer is the color. Samuel Adams OctoberFest has a rich, deep golden amber hue, which itself is reflective of the season. This hearty lager is rich with a blend of four…

Giving customers the traditional pizza classics they have come to love and the unique flavors they desire is made easy with Tyson Food Service’s Bonici Brand Recipe Collection, Volume 2. The new collection features trend-based recipes that operators can leverage to make their store an anticipated destination—not only expanding their menus, but also offering ideas…

Dunbar Armored Inc., an independently-owned armored car and cash management services company serving retailers, financial institutions and government entities, has just introduced a new line of in-store, electronic cash-validating Dunbar Cash Manager Safes, equipped with two-way digital wireless communication capabilities. The Dunbar Cash Manager Safe is designed to provide immediate wireless transmission of cash deposit…