By utilizing solar panels, wind turbines and geothermal technology, engineers anticipate the new store in Evanston, Ill. will produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes. Sporting two wind turbines, nearly 850 solar panels and a geothermal system burrowed 550 feet into the ground, Walgreens is celebrating the official opening of what is believed…
RGCA Reveals Holiday Gift Card Trend Tracker Survey
Consumers embrace online and mobile options, but 78% plan to spend gift cards at brick and mortar retail locations. The holiday shopping season is just around the corner and to kick it off, the Retail Gift Card Association (RGCA) has released the results of the Holiday Gift Card Trend Tracker Survey that examines how consumers…
Supermarket Guru Predicts 2014 Trends
Social shopping and healthy snacking ahead as Millennials shape consumer trends in the new year. Millennials, health-conscious shoppers and a shift in consumer palates set the stage for what’s to come in the food world this year according to Supermarket Guru, Phil Lempert. For 2014, Lempert, who works closely with ConAgra Foods Inc. and its…
Corner Store Raises $2.4 Million for Children’s Miracle Network
“At Corner Store, we love to be part of our communities and can’t think of a better cause than helping children and families going through a challenging illness or injury,” says CEO of CST Brands. Customers and team members at CST Brands Inc.’s Corner Stores raised a record-breaking $2.4 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,…
The Florida Experiment
By: Gerald Donnini, associate, Moffa, Gainor & Sutton, P.A. In most states beer and cigarette distributors are required to report their sales to the state’s alcohol and tobacco division. There are numerous tax and licensing implications that demand these figures be reported to a state’s ABT agency. However, in most states, ABT does not share…
NSF Calls For Food Safety Leadership Nominations
Annual awards program recognizes outstanding leadership and innovation in food safety; nomination deadline is Feb. 14. NSF International, an organization committed to protecting and improving public health, has announced its first call for nominations for the 2014 Food Safety Leadership Awards (FSLA) Program. Well-respected in the food industry, this program recognizes individuals that demonstrate outstanding…
Parker’s Hires Veteran Chef As Director of Food Service
Steven Stempel joins the Parker’s team. Parker’s, a nationally-recognized convenience store leader, recently hired veteran restaurant owner and accomplished chef Steven Stempel as director of food service. In his new position, Stempel is responsible for culinary creative, branding development and oversight of all food service for Parker’s. “Steve brings an insider’s knowledge of the restaurant…
Pilot Flying J Celebrates 55 Years
Customers enjoy 55-cent cups of coffee on the anniversary date. On Nov. 20, 2013, Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America, marked its 55th anniversary. The Pilot journey began in 1958 when James A. “Jim” Haslam II opened the first Pilot in Gate City, Va., Pilot Store…
AWMA Announces Major Changes for Annual Convention
A redesigned Marketplace & Solutions Expo to greet attendees. The American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA) announced a new redesigned format for The AWMA Show, the annual convention and exposition, to be held Feb. 25-27, 2014, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now known as the AWMA Marketplace & Solutions Expo, the convention will…
Preparing for Industry Challenges
Steve Loehr, vice president of operations support for Kwik Trip and the current NACS vice chairman and treasurer, shares his insights on the issues affecting convenience retailers. By John Lofstock, Editor. The convenience store industry continues to evolve, becoming a bigger part of the American consumers’ daily lives. In 2012, the industry achieved record sales…