As the world becomes increasingly digital, prepaid cards are providing a crucial service, not only for unbanked and underbanked customers, but also for everyday shoppers seeking a convenient gift or budgeting tool. Case in point: Shareholders who dialed in for the August monthly earnings call for Yum Brands Inc., which owns quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains…
Finding a Legal Pathway for Cannabinoids Continues
The opportunity for cannabidiol (CBD) sales in c-stores hangs in the balance as retailers wait to learn the fate of this growing category. In 2018, the Agriculture Improvement Act (Farm Bill) removed hemp and hemp-derived CBD from the Controlled Substance Act. Also, since the Farm Bill has been in effect, the Food and Drug Administration…
Car Washes Take on Tech
A car wash operation can bolster a convenience store’s bottom line, but with a variety of options, new technologies, sustainability concerns, differences among locations and a host of promotional possibilities, a strategy aimed at building that business can prove to be a complex one. Mike Gewirtz, general manager of Lanman Oil Co. Inc., based in…
Tracking Packaging Trends
As foodservice becomes a bigger focus for many c-store chains, more retailers are upgrading food packaging to better attract customers. Packaging plays a crucial role in influencing foodservice purchases, given its ability to help maintain the quality and integrity of the food, highlight the appearance of items, and assure customers that the food is fresh…
Dash In Looks to Deliver Better Experiences With DEI
The Wills Group, the parent company of Dash In convenience stores, is working toward making diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) a way of life for the chain, embedding DEI practices into the chain’s culture from the way it does business to how it serves communities. CStore Decisions caught up with Rayma Alexander, director of corporate…
Counting on Confections
The pumpkin spice latte hails the unofficial onset of fall, but Halloween kicks off the holiday season, and convenience stores are in a prime position to gain sweet profits from the candy segment this time of year. While some customers might not view c-stores as the go-to channel for seasonal treats, the opportunity for convenience…
Training: On the Right Track
Foodservice training is imperative for any convenience store operation, both to maintain reliable quality standards and to keep the workspace’s sanitation in peak condition. If both of these goals are met, customers will grow to trust the store’s ability to provide high-quality meals and snacks. Foodservice training may vary from c-store chain to c-store chain,…
New Hurdles for Successful M&As
Given the current state of the economy, now might be an ideal time to pick up or divest a distressed convenience store business. After all, handled properly, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) allow the acquiring business to gain another operation that is a good fit under favorable terms and that might not otherwise survive. An M&A…
Appealing to Hispanic Customers
The population of the Hispanic community is rising, and convenience store retailers are well placed to cater to this demographic with targeted, more personalized attention. “(C-store brands) should seek to connect with Hispanics by showing them they understand and care about their culture. Connecting with consumers at an emotional level is essentially asking for share…
4 Must-Have Ingredients to Take Your Brand Digital
One of the biggest opportunities for c-store growth is providing customers with a convenient and valuable digital experience through channels such as apps, websites or in-store kiosks. Doing so not only drives customer retention and loyalty, but can also fuel significant growth for the business. Oftentimes, however, it can seem like an impossible feat for…