Health Essist Inc. manufactures and develops a unique line of all-natural, zero-calorie, caffeine-free Edible Strips. The current product line consists of Alcohol Defender to help with the “morning after feeling,” X-Energy-Boost and Apple-A-Day strips that provide a boost to your immune system. The products are FDA approved for food use and are kosher approved. Each…
Sweet Success
There’s little doubt that bakeries are big. Bakeries, pastry shops and bagel sellers are growing at a rate of 5%, according to AnythingResearch.com. When launching a bakery program, convenience store retailers are urged to start with an in-depth market study that profiles the target customer base, current sales in the market area for the product…
Building Relationships at the National Advisory Group
Throughout my 15 years of covering the convenience store industry, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing people, develop lifelong friendships and watch in awe as otherwise ordinary people learned to work together to produce extraordinary results. Throughout that time I’ve also seen countless people come and go. For some, the industry was a…
Home Recipe Favorite
General Mills has introduced Chex Mix Muddy Buddies to convenience store retailers. Inspired by the popular homemade recipe, Chex Mix Muddy Buddies is a combination of chocolate and peanut butter Corn Chex cereal pieces tossed in a sweet powdery coating. Each 4.5-ounce bag has a suggested retail price of $2.19. The snack mix aims to…
Lessons in Leadership
As the director of real estate for High’s of Baltimore and a member of the Darnell family, which owns the Hanover, Md., chain of 69 stores in Maryland and Delaware, Briana Darnell knows first hand the importance of being a strong leader and how it can impact a company’s success. In her current role, she…
Gas Island Vending
The first gas island vending solution now is available at selected WilcoHess locations in North Carolina. WilcoHess LLC, an operator of travel plazas and convenience stores in the Southeastern U.S., has collaborated with Allied Electronics, a provider of service station automation systems, The Pinnacle Corp., an automation technology and software supplier, and Vendgogh LLC, a…
Convenience on Campus
At a Glance: The University of Northern Colorado Located in Greeley, Colo., the University of Northern Colorado was founded in 1889. The university features students from 38 states and five countries. Other highlights include: • College nickname: The Bears. • A 2009 enrollment of 9,973 undergraduate and 2,175 graduate students. • Student population: 60% female,…
Building Your Banana Business
The Chiquita To Go program offers retailers the opportunity to sell quality bananas and earn higher margins. With Chiquita’s “stay fresh” technology, bananas stay fresh up to seven days longer, significantly reducing waste. Using the Chiquita To Go merchandiser, retailers can place a display of 10 bananas on the counter for increased impulse purchases, attracting…
Pricing, Promotions Key for Salty Snacks
When the American Public Health Association highlighted a December 2009 study on candy, snack and sweetened beverage availability in non-food retailers, it was worried about obesity. Convenience store retailers are only worried about thin margins. The Tulane University researchers found snack food in 41% of all stores whose primary merchandise was not food. Candy was…
Precooked Turkey Sausage
Known for its all-natural pork sausage, Jones Dairy Farm has introduced all-natural golden brown turkey sausage links to the company’s full line of all-natural precooked sausage offerings. Made from an all-natural recipe that never includes mechanically separated turkey meat, Jones turkey sausage contains no MSG, nitrites or nitrates and has zero grams…