TravelCenters of America (TA) provided business updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing that it has furloughed approximately 2,900 field employees, as well as approximately 122 corporate employees. Currently, all TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express travel centers remain open, providing essential services to drivers across the nation with fuel, showers, restrooms, quick-serve restaurants and…
7-Eleven’s Prepaid Mastercard Offers Alternative to Brick-and-Mortar Banks
The Trans@ct by 7-Eleven Prepaid Mastercard offers an alternative to brick-and-mortar banks and can help cardholders receive direct deposit payments such as government benefits or paychecks. The U.S. Treasury Department recently began sending out economic impact — or stimulus — payments, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some people may have to wait weeks…
New Research Identifies Key Trends in Grocery Shopping Behavior Amid COVID-19
Service Management Group (SMG) research has identified three trends in grocery shopper behavior and a few tips to help stores remain agile. Trend 1: Grocery pick-up orders have increased since the pandemic. In recent years, the evolution of e-commerce has led brands to invest in services that make the shopping experience easier for customers. The…
GetUpside Acquires A-Frame Ventures, Announces Additional Hiring
GetUpside has acquired A-Frame Ventures and brought two new executives on to the team. Even amid the current COVID-19 environment, GetUpside will continue to hire locally in the Chicago, D.C., and Austin markets. Meredith Sadlowski, former Senior Vice President of branded sales and marketing at Gulf Oil, has joined GetUpside as president of fuel and…
Cigarettes Face New Battles
For convenience stores in 16 states, implementing 21 as the federal minimum purchase age on tobacco products was a nonissue. They had already made the necessary signage and point-of-sale verification adjustments to abide by state tobacco-21 and experienced the fallout. “When we went to 21, we didn’t see a very big sales decrease,” said Reilly…
Tallying Up Tobacco Add-ons
For most consumers, lighters, ashtrays, papers, matches and pipes may be impulse purchases, but for c-stores, they shouldn’t be an afterthought. Granted, tobacco accessories account for the smallest percentage of tobacco-related transactions, both in numbers and dollars, but each additional basket item offers a chance to boost profits with every tobacco sale. Even at an…
Wawa Foundation Provides Additional $250,000 for Nonprofits, Local Food Banks
Wawa is dedicating the day of its founding on April 16 to essential workers and everyday heroes by giving recognition and resources to those helping others impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. April 16 is the date the first Wawa store opened in Delaware County, in 1964, and six years ago, the date marked the launch…
Kwik Chek Launches Family Meal Deals
Texas-based Kwik Chek, a family of customer service-oriented convenience stores, grocery stores and quick food operations, has launched Family Meal Deals and Family Kwik Packs. The Family Meal Deals are all under $20 and serve a family of four. Meals include: Chicken Family Deal: $15.99, 10 tenders, two 16-ounce sides, four rolls Kings Ranch Family Deal:…
Rutter’s Extends Fuel Rewards Redemption Period
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to limit everyday travel, Rutter’s has extended the redemption period on fuel rewards for its Rutter’s Rewards customers. All fuel rewards earned between March 1 and May 31 of this year will now have a 120-day redemption period, versus the usual 60 days. “As we continue to navigate this difficult…
Stewart’s ESOP Accounts See 17.5% Growth
New York-based Stewart’s Shops shared some good news with its employees regarding their profit sharing statements; existing Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) accounts received approximately 17.5% growth on their existing accounts including over 6.3% in dividends. This success is from the great service the employees — which Stewart’s calls its partners — provide, increased operating…