Valero Corner Stores strengthens its relationship with loyal customers through its new CornerStore4U.com Website. Valero Retail Holdings Inc. Corner Store locations delve deeper into the social media world as the company creates the new CornerStore4U.com Website and a store app. The launch enabled more than 100,000 consumers to participate in the free music and movies…

Scott Jordan has been named the new president of Master-Bilt, effective Oct. 24, 2011. Jordan served as vice president of operations and general manager of BKI, a Standex Food Service Equipment Group company, since April 2008. Previous to BKI, he worked with Baldor Electric for 16 years in manufacturing, quality assurance, purchasing, finance, strategic planning,…

C-stores are adding Facebook pages, but to profit from social media, retailers need to also engage fans with text and email marketing campaigns. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. Anyone still questioning the power of social media need only look to Japan. The country, which between earthquakes, tsunamis and radiation fears has seen tourism drop, is…

By John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. You may think about your business 24/7, but chances are your customers do not. Hard to believe, right? I am a big believer that the successful businessperson is always considering how they can “connect the dots” for their customers more easily so that their…

John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . .”  Ah yes, the annual business planning cycle is upon us. The time of the year to huddle all of your business colleagues in a room to hash out the key initiatives for the upcoming…

Manitowoc Foodservice announces the promotion of Kathy Veder to the newly created position of vice president global accounts, Wendy’s, Chick-fil-A and Arby’s. In her new role, Veder will focus on marketing initiatives including strategic direction, product line management, business development, customer service and delivering on our promise to our end-user customers. Veder has over 20…

Sometimes it makes a lot of sense to have a cross functional work team established to tackle business challenges or drive operational improvement in current processes. Other times it is better to assign the task to an individual or to a group with a clearly defined leader. Cross functional teams provide the added benefit of brining…

It sounds like a couple of obvious questions, but when these questions are asked to executives at a convenience store chain, the wide array of answers may surprise you. Most execs generally know how a company arrived at its present state. However, dig deeper and many will tell you they arrived at their current destination…