Retailers that are willing to settle for second best, get second best. By Mel Kleiman I was on the phone recently withthe owner of a chain of Midwesternconvenience stores who said, “It justdoesn’t make any sense for us to eventhink about using pre-employment testingor making our jobs tough to get. We’ve gotto take whatever walks…
smoke screen
With an increase in smoking restrictions and the threat of increased taxes, retailers and analysts express serious concerns for cigarette profitability. Convenience stores, backin the good old days beforethey offered the types foodserviceand products thatcould rival other retail segments, wereknown mostly for three things: Cokes,smokes and gas. But despite the industry’sonce-strong foothold, cigarette salesare slumping.…
focus on foodservice safety
Poor safety methods could sicken customers and bring down an entire organization. Going above and beyond what’s required is the key to a healthy program. By Michael Ferrari, Staff Writer Adding a foodservice programis an excellent way toincrease profitability and developa more loyal, destination-mindedcustomer base. Committing to foodservice,however, opens the door to new dangerssuch as…
flavor du jour
Retailers willing to get more daring with their menus stand to attract more adventurous palates and turn a tidy profit. By Kate Quackenbush, Managing Editor An American Express MarketBrief produced byTechnomic Inc. entitled “Ethnic Foods are in Fashion,”showed that more than half of consumers (51%) reportedpurchasing prepared, ready-to-eat foods from conveniencestores. Convenience stores also showed…
calling all dirty cars
The precise mix of equipment and marketing can quickly make the car wash one of the most valuable profit centers in the store. By Kim Sharrah, Associate Editor With high gasoline pricessqueezing fuel margins, theaddition of a car wash canturn a major profit for operatorslooking to make up some of therevenue lost at the pumps.…
reaching new heights
Fresh off the acquisition of Cummings Oil, Andrea Jackson leads Jacksons Food Stores’ retail strategy. By Shahla Hebets, Publisher Keeping a low profile hasits advantages, but eventuallya chain’s success starts toattract the attention, and eventhe enmity, of the competitors around it.Jacksons Food Stores is one of the conveniencestore and petroleum industry’sbiggest success stories, yet it…
Sheetz looks for a few hundred good men and women
Company launches job fair to help staff new kitchen. Sheetz Inc. will host a job fair offering hundreds of exciting employment opportunities at the new Sheetz Bros. Kitchen. The fair will be held at the Sheetz Distribution Center in Claysburg, Pa. on Nov. 2 and 3 from 10:00am to 6:00pm each day. The fair will…
ampm makes list of top 200 franchise companies
BP-owned unit ranks 39th as the only c-store on the list. BP’s ampm convenience store has been ranked 39th in the 2007 Franchise Times “Top 200.” The companies that made the list have a minimum of 20% of total units operated by franchisees. Worldwide sales are also a factor in the rankings. ampm is the…
tesoro considers kerkorians offer
Company evaluates selling off an additional 16%. Tesoro Corp. has revealed that it is carefully reviewing an offer from billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian to sell an increased stake in the company, according to the Associated Press. The Tesoro board will be in consideration over sale for the next 10 days. The unsolicited offer asks the…
titan names anderson ceo of appco
Growing company plans on expanding into new markets. Titan Global Holdings Inc. has appointed Marty Anderson as chief executive of Appalachian Oil Co. (Appco), as well as the appointment of the energy division’s entire senior management team. Appco is the first acquisition of the company’s recently announced Titan Global Energy, which was formed to aggregate…