When we purchased CONVENIENCE STORE DECISIONS nearly two years ago, we heard a constantly recurring question: “When are you going to revitalize the National Advisory Group (NAG)?” With the acquisition we had a lot on our plate, but we were always looking at NAG. We examined carefully why NAG withered, and what was the proper…
R.J. Reynolds Joins Others in Challenging Provisions of FDA Tobacco Act
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company joined Commonwealth Brands Inc., Lorillard Inc., National Tobacco Company L.P. and Discount Tobacco City & Lottery Inc. in filing a lawsuit Monday to protect their First Amendment right to communicate with adult tobacco consumers about their products, Reuters reported. The suit was filed in federal court in Bowling Green, Ky.,…
Wisconsin Raises Cigarette Tax…Again
Despite a 2008 tax increase and the federal tax jump that hit just this spring, Wisconsin is again raising prices on smokers. The price of a pack of cigarettes will increase by 75 cents to $2.52 cents per pack in Wisconsin tomorrow, Sept.1, the Associated Press reported. The tax will be the fifth highest in…
Expanding In A Rough Economy
Independent retailers seeking to expand their businesses are struggling to locate competitively-priced, quality properties, Talking Retail reported. According to Allen Shepherd, director with property agent Christie + Co., despite lower priced properties that have cropped up because of the recession and the perception that the retail sector is currently a buyer’s market, top…
Maverik To Open First Carson City C-store
Maverik already has begun construction on what will be its first gas station convenience store in the Carson City, Nev. area, the Nevada Appeal reported. The store is being built at College Boulevard and Research Way, and is scheduled to open in December. The Carson City location will be more than 4,600 square…
7-Eleven Rocks Out With Band Contest, Guitar Cups
7-Eleven Inc. is introducing “Battle of the Bands,” an in-store and online promotion that puts 28 bands from across the nation in a music video competition at www.slurpee.com and adds an in-store first: three colorful 32-ounce guitar-shaped Slurpee cups and a giant 54-ounce guitar-shaped Big Gulp cup. The Big Gulp guitar cup is…
Strong Outlook for Meat Snacks
Meat snacks—beef jerky, meat sticks, pork rinds and more—are right at home at U.S. convenience stores. And, despite the rough economy and some sales slippage, new products and popular brands continue to excite customers. Paul Lyons, president and owner of Up North Jerky in Troy, Mich., and a partner, with Sam Kassem and Mike Abdullah,…
Customers Indulging in Chocolate
The Benefits of Chocolate Once considered a “guilty pleasure,” researchers now say that chocolate offers health benefits—when consumed in moderation and provided the chocolate is the right kind. International experiments show that dark chocolate has an impressive array of activities, according to the Harvard Health Newsletter. It’s an antioxidant that may improve cholesterol scores and…
Certified Oil Celebrates New Store
Certified Oil Company, a leading operator of gas stations and convenience stores in Ohio, is holding grand opening festivities with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 1 to celebrate its new convenience store and gas station in Chillicothe. The new store is located at 825 North Bridge Street. Over the past year,…
Shoppers Pick Convenience Over Cost
Customers are choosing convenience over value these days, according to a yearlong shopper experience study currently underway by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research. Data from the study shows that consumer priorities are changing from shopping around to save dollars to spending more money in an effort to save time. “There has…