Scentria Corp., innovator of GoneSmoke, the first dry aerosol odor eliminator, sports a new look: bold graphics with an image of a woman spraying GoneSmoke over her hair. The company now offers a smaller footprint with a two-tier rack. When GoneSmoke is placed on the front counter near lighter racks, stores are seeing great sell-through,…
Stacking the Cards In Your Favor
General purpose prepaid debit cards are rapidly gaining favor with consumers as an alternative to closed-loop gift cards. By John Lofstock, Editor. Sales of open-loop prepaid cards, issued by banks and credit card companies and able to be used at multiple establishments, are only going to go up as more consumers come to appreciate their…
Time For Business Planning!
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…
Pilot Flying J Opens New Travel Center
“The travel center will serve this community through products and services as well as contribute to the local economy through jobs and tax revenue,” says Pilot Flying J CEO. Pilot Flying J recently opened a newly acquired travel center in Collins, Mo., and will remodel the Pilot Travel Center to feature full amenities for professional…
Tom Robinson Leads Slate of 2010-11 NACS Executive Committee Officers
NACS announced the election of its 2011-12 Executive Committee during its Board of Directors meeting at the NACS Show in Chicago. Tom Robinson, president of Santa Clara, Calif.-based Robinson Oil Corp., was named the association’s 2011-12 chairman of the board. Robinson also chairs the NACS Executive Committee, which provides strategic direction and financial oversight to the…
CEFCO Acquires Two Sites in Mississippi
CEFCO Convenience Stores has acquired the retail assets of two sites located in Collinsville and Marion, Miss. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed. This acquisition represents the continuation of CEFCO’s aggressive growth pattern, preceded by the August 2011 purchase of the 69‐store Food Fast chain based in Tyler, Texas. Upon the successful completion…
Tom Robinson Named New NACS Chairman
“I came [to NACS] for the advocacy and stayed for the knowledge and connections,” said new NACS Chairman Tom Robinson during the Oct. 4 Closing General Session at the NACS Show. An estimated more than 22,000 attendees from 50 countries attended the 2011 NACS Show, which featured more than 60 workshops and 1,300 exhibitors…
Award-Winning Rice
RiceSelect is causing consumers to think twice about which rice they buy with its unique Texmati Rice. Similar to basmati, the award-winning Texmati has a nutty flavor, delightful aroma, unique texture and easy cooking characteristics that set it apart from all other aromatics. Texmati Rice is produced by American family farmers; packed in reusable, re-sealable…
Fostering Better Communication Through Franchise Advisory Councils
By John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. Establishing a Franchise Advisory Council (FAC) as a formal communications system to ensure franchisees input with regard to store marketing & operations is a natural stepping-stone for a growing franchise operation. FAC representatives are an indispensable part of the communication system in that they…
NACS Chairman Jeff Miller Urges Advocacy
Approximately $3.2 million dollars. That’s the savings thus far to the convenience and fuels retailing industry and their customers since the Durbin amendment took effect just yesterday, said NACS Chairman Jeff Miller during the NACS Show Opening General Session. Miller, who is president of Norfolk, Va.-based Miller Oil Co., said that the swipe fee reform…