“His vast tobacco industry knowledge combined with his consulting experience uniquely qualifies him for this important and demanding role,” says DNA Distributors president. DNA Distributors, the makers of Cigalectric Electronic Cigarettes has hired Kraig Knudsen as vice president of business development. In this role, Knudsen will be responsible for all aspects of market penetration and…
Gift Card Trends
First Data study finds closed-loop cards popular but open-loop growing, and virtual gift cards are on the horizon. As the U.S. gift card market matures, understanding consumer demand and trends can help gift card-issuing merchants and retailers create or adjust their strategy. In fact, First Data, a global provider of electronic commerce and payment processing, recently…
The Science of Scan Data
As retail technology evolves, convenience store operators have the tools to turn sales figures into actionable information. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. Thanks to advanced technology, retailers can now collect data at the point of sale that tells them what is moving out of their stores, when it sells, who buys it and at what…
Whole Gasoline Costs continue Lower as Market Frets over Demand
By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Initially moving up and reaching a two-week high on June 15, New York Mercantile Exchange RBOB gasoline futures reversed course and tumbled to a nearly one-month low on June 17, setting the stage for retail gasoline prices to continue moving lower. NYMEX RBOB futures serve as…
Love’s Celebrates 100th Tire Care Center
“We have evaluated the best amenities we can offer at the new travel stop, and look forward to our partnership with the community,” says president of Love’s Development Cos. Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores has opened its 100th tire care center at a new travel stop in Ocala, Fla., and is set to host…
Thorntons Announces Nugget Ice Promotion
Customers who visit the participating Thorntons site get a free nugget ice sample from the Nug Truck and a free fountain drink upon entering the store. Thorntons has partnered with Scotsman Ice Systems to bring the Nug Truck to two Thorntons stores this week. The Nug Truck is a mobile truck that serves nugget ice,…
Tobacco Companies, NATO File Right to Advertise Lawsuit
NATO, R.J. Reynolds, Philip Morris and Lorillard are fighting back against a Worcester, Mass., ordinance that would ban outdoor and most indoor advertising. On Friday, June 17, a lawsuit was filed by the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Philip Morris USA Inc. and Lorillard Tobacco Co. in U.S. Federal District…
FDA Reveals Final Cigarette Warning Labels
The new graphic health warnings must appear on all cigarette packs, cartons and ads by September 2012. This morning FDA announced the nine cigarette health warnings required to appear on every pack of cigarettes sold in the U.S. and in every cigarette advertisement. This bold measure is aimed at making sure that every American understands…
Salad Singles
Ready Pac Salad Singles are the latest creation from Ready Pac. While consumer demand for healthy convenience has always been a focus of Ready Pac’s, economic instability has forced many shoppers to watch their spending closely by adopting more cautious spending habits and establishing a new, lower-cost normal. Ready Pac is offering a simple solution…
Smokeless Sales Show Promise
While managing new products and planograms is vital, retailers will need to keep an eye out for federal tax increases and FDA intervention over the next 12 months. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Smokeless tobacco has outperformed expectations for three straight years—which, while good, leaves many in the industry fearing it’s only a matter of…