The National Retail Federation (NRF), a retail trade organization, and First Data Corp., a provider of electronic commerce and payment processing, have released results from a research study of data security and fraud prevention strategies practiced at small to mid-sized retailers. Most of the retailers surveyed had annual sales of less than $100,000. The analysis…
NACS Kicks Off With Opening Session
Engagement, an overriding theme of the NACS Show, was clearly the dominant theme of NACS Chairman Jay Ricker’s Opening General Session address on Oct. 6 at the NACS Show. Ricker encapsulated his past year as chairman with three stories about engagement: with the media, with customers and with elected officials. The first story related to…
Keeping C-Stores Secure
When he thinks of PCI compliance, Ed Freels, director of information systems for Honey Farms Inc. recalls an old t-shirt slogan from the 1970s, “It showed the AC130 gun ship from the Vietnam era and it said, ‘You can run, but you’ll just die tired,’ and PCI compliance is no different. The most dangerous merchant…
NACStech In Full Swing
Voting begins today, Thursday, for the most exciting technology found at NACStech by attendees. Retailers at the show need to download the NACStech mobile app in order to vote. Results will be announced at Friday’s Expo Trends 2010 workshop. NACStech, held May 5-7, officially kicked off yesterday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in…
PCI Compliance Requires a Full-Time Focus
The 12 Standards of PCI SSC Build and Maintain a Secure Network 1. Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect data. 2. Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters. Protect Cardholder Data 3. Protect stored cardholder data. 4. Encrypt transmissions of cardholder data and sensitive information across open public…
Progressive POS Solutions
Speed of service is crucial, of course, but with all the services that convenience stores offer today communication—between machines—is key. From gas pumps and safes to back-office software and lottery terminals, operators are finding that integrating them with their point-of-sale (POS) systems leads to greater accuracy, efficiency and profitability. Mary Vinson, director of operations for…
Controlling Operating Costs
From escalating utility costs and credit card fees to labor and looming PCI deadlines, retailers have their hands full with a host of issues that are impacting their businesses. No issue is as complex and timely as PCI compliance. The stakes in the PCI game are high and, as 2010 approaches, c-store operators need to…
Lessons Learned from Challenging Year
There’s no doubt that 2009 will go down as one of the most challenging years ever for the convenience store and petroleum industry. Combined with the poor economy that plagued marketers all year, credit card fees and tobacco regulations added fuel to a fire that, quite honestly, was already burning out of control. For this…
Organic Growth Drives Kwik Trip
In 2004, CSD awarded La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip Inc. with the Chain of the Year award recognizing a company that values people and forays into new technology, combining business and energy intelligence to save dollars. CSD also was impressed with Kwik Trip’s use of vertical integration to control the products and support functions that…
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…