‘Mom & Pop’ convenience stores have been around seemingly forever and are, as the saying goes: “As American as Apple Pie!” These days, the term ‘Mom & Pop’ has become, kind of a “catch all” category that includes many more differing store types than the original neighborhood stores for which the name was first coined.…
How Can Independent C-Stores Compete With Larger Chains?
So you’re ready to open your first convenience store or chain of stores. As an independent operator competition will be steep, but with some best practices, you can position your business for success. First, establish a board of directors. A board of directors made up of my insurance rep, realtor, auto dealer, banker and attorney…
How Can Independent C-Stores Improve Beer Sales?
As a small, independent convenience store chain, if you’re looking to compete on beer sales, it’s essential to have a quality selection with which to entice customers, complete with limited-time and seasonal craft beers. If you’re confident in the assortment you’re offering, the next step is to do everything possible to communicate to customers that…
What Can Independent C-Stores Do to Drive Impulse Sales?
Impulse sales are an area where convenience stores hold a huge advantage over Big Box stores. Why, you ask? C-stores are relatively small compared to the Walmarts and Targets of the world, so customers find it significantly easier to find items. Plus, because of that size difference sales associates are more apt to know right…
How Can Independent C-Stores Compete on Foodservice?
For small and independent convenience store chains, today’s competition is steeper than ever. These stores often find themselves competing against large chains with greater resources to implement the latest and greatest programs, especially when it comes to foodservice. But despite the competition, small chains have a big opportunity to grow food sales, if they’re willing…
How Can Independent C-Stores Negotiate Better Supply Contracts?
Small and medium independent convenience store chains may not have the buying power of large chains, but that doesn’t mean they can’t negotiate for the best deals possible. The key is to make win-win deals, where those on both sides of the table walk away with something that they want, while working to create beneficial…
How Can Independent C-Stores Reduce Turnover?
Retaining top-tier employees can be challenging for convenience store chains competing in a tough labor market. Small, independent convenience store chains can find this even more difficult as they compete against larger retailers that often have larger budgets and more robust employee benefits. But there are many things small retailers can do to improve their…
Why Can’t You Leave Shrink Prevention to Terrific Tech?
In today’s convenience store environment, efforts at preventing theft have become tech intensive. More and better cameras are merely the start. POS systems now provide exacting time stamps of transactions, fine-tooth inventory tracking, employee shift in and out and break times, pre-programmed and instantaneously flexible price books, etc. But when it comes to product disappearing…
What Is the Cold Vault?
Judging by its name, we can forgive those who’d believe that the “cold vault” is a dark, dank room in a convenience store cellar where the safe is hidden away. Not only is the cold vault not hidden, but it is a rather bright and busy space in a c-store where cold beverages are featured…
What’s the Difference Between E-Cigs and Vape?
Well, let’s start with what those two non-combustible “smoking” products have in common. Both usually operate by heating a liquid gel – or e-juice, as it’s often called – that vaporizes the substance which the user then inhales, delivering nicotine through the lungs. An e-cigarette, though, is indeed the traditional cigarette lookalike – they’re often…