The Category Management Association announces its 2010 Category Management Conference, set to take place Oct. 26-28, 2010 at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) in Atlanta. Supporting the event’s theme of “Strategy at Retail,” a variety of sessions and workshops will be available to attendees, which are focused on the latest in trends and best…
BP Spreads The Blame
BP has rolled out the results of a four-month internal investigation into the causes of the April 20 blowout of its Macondo oil well in the Gulf of Mexico, which resulted in the Gulf oil spill. The company spread blame among its contractors, as it pointed to a “complex and interlinked series” of failures from…
Casey’s To Acquire 52 Stores
Casey’s General Stores Inc. has released its first quarter of fiscal 2011 results ended July 31, 2010, and with it an announcement that it has signed commitments to acquire an additional 52 locations, which it anticipates purchasing by the end of the calendar year. Casey’s reported basic earnings per share of $0.73 and approximately $6.2…
Thorntons Announces Football Cup Challenge
Thorntons has announced its new College Football Cup Challenge, taking place in Louisville, Ky., southern Indiana, and Lexington, Ky., store locations. The promotion began on Saturday, Sept. 4, coinciding with the college football game between the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky. Thorntons’ stores now feature new 32-ounce fountain cups that say “Bleed…
Ehrlich Steps Down at Certified Oil
By John Lofstock, Editor When Greg Ehrlich joined Certified Oil Co. in 2006, the company set myriad of goals aimed at upgrading the brand’s retail image, redesigning the convenience stores and developing a comprehensive loyalty program. With the projects complete, Ehrlich will step away from the day-to-day operations of Columbus, Ohio-based oil company and assume…
Rite Aid Partners With Save-A-Lot
Rite Aid Corp. plans to add discount Save-A-Lot groceries to 10 of its stores in and around Greenville, S.C., as it tests out a partnership with Supervalu Inc., the Associated Press reported. The stores are set to be remodeled by October, and renamed Save-A-Lot Food Stores/Rite Aid Pharmacy. Rite Aid will own and operate the…
Wisconsin Reinstates Gas Markup
Despite 19 months without a minimum markup law on gasoline in Wisconsin-during which time customers enjoyed cents off per gallons and mom and pop stores continued to thrive-the law has been reinstated, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. On Friday, a federal appeals court brought Wisconsin’s minimum markup law on gasoline back from the grave, saying…
Coinstar Appoints Chief People Officer
Coinstar Inc. has hired Raquel Karls, a human resources and organization development leader, to fill the position of chief people officer. Karls starts her new role this week reporting to president and chief operating officer Gregg Kaplan. “We are delighted to have found an individual of Raquel’s caliber and experience to lead this very important…
Snoop Dogg Cup To Benefit SYFL
Snoop fans who want to support the Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL) can head into any participating 7-Eleven store across the U.S. to purchase his signature cup, on sale from Sept. 1 through Oct. 18 or while supplies last. 7-Eleven guarantees a $250,000 minimum donation to SYFL, but the support could increase depending on the…
Casey’s Mystery Bidder Revealed
7-Eleven is the previously unnamed third party bidder that has offered to buy Casey’s General Stores for $2.03 billion or $40 per share, the Wall Street Journal reported. 7-Eleven’s $40-a-share offer surpasses Alimentation Couche-Tard’s bid of $38.50 a share. Casey’s has rejected Couche-Tard’s advances since it placed its first hostile bid for the company back…