From analyzing customers to assessing their inventory, more convenience stores are using operational data to their advantage. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Today, collecting data is clearly essential for convenience store retailers. But capturing and making use of the most pertinent information—from customer analytics to competitive intelligence—can spell the difference between operating in the black…
Cigars Lighting Up Sales
With consumers reaching for interesting flavors at still low prices, cigars—especially cigarillos—continue to move briskly off of convenience store shelves. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor According to IRI’s convenience store statistics for the 52 weeks ending July 10, 2016, cigars notched nearly $2.7 billion in sales, a 6.19% increase over 2015. Units rose 10.17%. To…
The Art of Negotiation
Many convenience stores that rely on vendors to supply their retail operations know there’s some give-and-take involved when it comes to relationship building. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Part of running a profitable c-store business involves effectively negotiating supply contracts and employing solid direct store delivery (DSD) management. Both require experience, a command of a…
Kitchen Helpers
Before investing in foodservice equipment, convenience store operators must consider tangibles such as flexibility, return on investment, market demographics and menu offerings. By Howard Riell, Contributing Editor Purchasing, operating and maintaining foodservice equipment is becoming increasingly important for convenience stores, making experience, expertise and careful management essential. All of the factors that go into an…
ATMs Generate Returns
ATMs have always been valuable tools for c-stores, and with the possibility of rising debit card fees, that value figures to rise. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor In an economy where more and more U.S. consumers have less access to big bank accounts, ATMs are still considered a viable commodity in the convenience store channel.…
Meat Snacks Feed Demand
Meat snacks appeal to consumers for a lot of reasons, and each of them presents opportunities for c-store operators to bolster sales. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Most snackers prefer savory quality, robust flavors, inherent convenience, relatively low price points, health benefits and, of course, related promotions. Savvy retailers know how to take the best…
Cigars in the Light
For convenience stores that count on margins from cigar sales, the FDA recently introduced uncertainty into the mix. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor The ongoing legislative assault on tobacco products continues, leaving c-store operators with unanswered questions about the future of their tobacco sets, including cigars. The latest is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s…
RYO Faces the Future
Roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco isn’t immune to regulatory policy, but still has the equilibrium to remain a solid industry player. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco remains a segment in flux, tied as it is to such diverse factors as the health of the economy, the price of gasoline and stiffening federal and state…
Sweet Snacks Pack Variety
While indulgent sweets are still preferred by many U.S convenience customers, more consumers are spending their snacking dollars on healthier options. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Convenience store operators continue to walk a tightrope, balancing consumers’ love of sweet snacks with their intent to eat healthier. Still, America’s sweet tooth isn’t going away any time…
Salting Away Sales
Americans’ continuing hunger for salty snacks is keeping convenience stores at the forefront of a booming industry. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Americans’ love of salty snacks continues unabated as snacking occasions increase, shelf sets include more variety, spicier flavors gain wider acceptance and niche marketing grows in importance. The snacking trend continues to gain…