Cincinnati-based ice cream and convenience store chain United Dairy Farmers (UDF) has relaunched U-Drive, a legacy loyalty program now built on the Paytronix rewards platform. U-Drive is available for guests to sign up immediately — customers can pick up a card in-store, or download UDF’s new mobile app for the full digital experience. Since launching…
Tobacco Accessories Tick Up
For years, the most innovative development to hit the subcategory of tobacco accessories was lighter covers highlighting sports teams or colorful designs. There were even the occasional movie- or TV-based themes to attract mega fans. So when BIC introduced the EZ Reach lighter with an extended wand last summer, surely convenience store operators and managers…
NAG Scholarship Supports Higher Education
Every student’s story is different, but the financial gap in paying for college is still apparent. In keeping with that theme, the National Advisory Group (NAG) and the Young Executives Organization (YEO) created a scholarship fund for employees and children of NAG member companies. The 2021 NAG Scholarship is named after John MacDougall, who was…
Wawa Expands Beverage Offer With Refreshers Launch
Wawa announced the launch of Wawa Refreshers, now available in all 920 stores chainwide. This iced beverage made with high-quality ingredients including cold brewed green tea and tropical fruit juices that are high in Vitamin C. All the ingredients are made without artificial flavors, preservatives, colors from synthetic sources or high fructose corn syrup. Wawa…
Tight Market for RYO
2020 proved a tough year for the roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco segment at convenience stores. “Looking at same-store sales of 2020 versus 2019, we continued to see a downward trend on the RYO category, down 6%; however, that trend slowed some in Q4,” noted Tim Greene, category director of tobacco and general manager for Smoker Friendly.…
Kum & Go Partners With RELEX Solutions
Kum & Go is teaming up with RELEX Solutions, provider of unified retail planning solutions, for unified supply chain and merchandising optimization, including forecasting, replenishment and space and floor planning. RELEX will service Kum & Go’s stores across 11 states and support the family-owned retailer’s goal of optimizing their supply chain and merchandise practices through…
Nouria Completes VERC Acquisition
Worcester, Mass.-based Nouria Energy announced that it successfully completed the acquisition of 17 VERC convenience store locations inclusive of two with adjoining carwash operations. The acquisition adds further scale to Nouria’s footprint in its rapidly growing strategic markets of Massachusetts and Southeastern New Hampshire. The transaction brings the Nouria retail network to 146 locations. “My…
Build Relationships Through Loyalty Marketing
Did you know it costs five times more to acquire new customers than it does to retain current customers? And did you know existing customers are 50% more likely to try a new product of yours as well as spend 31% more than new customers? Whether or not you currently have a loyalty program that…
Kent Kwik Expands in the Texas Market With Connel Oil Acquisition
Kent Kwik parent company The Kent Cos. has acquired Connel Oil Co., dba Mr. C’s convenience stores, in Mineral Wells and Weatherford, Texas. The acquisition included six company-operated Chevron-branded Mr. C’s convenience stores, a book of branded and unbranded dealer supply accounts and a bulk plant. The acquisition increased the Kent Kwik portfolio to 59…
Pilot Flying J Debuts Four New Breakfast Sandwiches
Pilot Flying J is introducing four new breakfast sandwiches to its breakfast menu — sausage, egg and cheese biscuit; sausage, egg and cheese croissant; bacon, egg and cheese biscuit; and bacon, egg and cheese French toast. Available now at more than 300 participating travel centers across the country, Pilot Flying J’s newest creations are chef-approved…