Keeping a cap on consumption can help cut costs and maintain budgets. by Mike Wardle, Roth Bros. Inc. Retailers spend nearly $20 billion annually on energy expenses, according to Energy Star, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) organization. And, as costs continue to rise, c-store operators need surefire strategies to conserve energy and maintain budgets. A…
appetite for construction
Dash In Food Stores is poised for growth as it introduces a new store design emphasizing its commitment to a foodservice future. Driving down Crain Highway in southernMaryland, motorists are offered many conveniencealternatives—7-Elevens, Wawas, XtraMarts—but asthey cross into La Plata, a glamorous new store stands out like a beautiful brick beacon. The 3,200 sq. ft.…
pricing for the future
Town & Country is among the chains investing in price optimization software to manage fuel sales. Gasoline retailers are currently facing an unstablemarket, where prices are in aconstant flux and the slightest miscalculation can cost them dearly. Tostay on top of their game, retailers areinvesting in new price optimization software technologies to help manage fuelpricing…
service to the fleet
Proprietary cards aimed at the trucking industry help retailers increase volume and in-store sales, while fending off costly processing fees. Retailers are caught inan endless battle at the gaspumps—fending off high payat-the-pump processing fees on credit cards, while trying to keep their customers from floating over to lower-pricedbig-box competitors. To do this, retailersare taking advantage…
getting the most out of fuel consumers
“High gasoline prices have not changed Americans’ driving habits but they have significantly changed their purchasing habits, as price is by far the No. 1 reason why drivers select a specificgas store. In fact, more than one out of four drivers say they change their behavior to save as little as one penny per gallon.”…
starbucking the system
Convenience concepts are spreading to coffee houses, supermarkets and even drug stores, and retailers have every reason to be concerned. It’s no secret that c-stores have“borrowed” ideas from outside channels.Thanks to Starbucks, c-storeoperators learned that customerswould pay $4 for a cup of coffee as long asit was a high-end brew. So it should comeas no…
branding benefits
Proprietary packaging can push profits. By Julie Crawshaw, Contributing Editor A study conducted by the Wharton School of Researchfound that nearly 70% of all purchase decisions are made atthe point of sale, where packaging is the primary spokespersonfor the product. Using this knowledge to full advantage in your c-store’s foodservice segment calls for developing packaging…
prepaying for the future
Reloadable cards are revolutionizing the prepaid wireless category and reaching out to new consumers. Convenience stores delvedinto the prepaid categoryyears ago by carrying long distance phone cards, long before the explosion of cellular phones. Today,the category has evolved into a distinctwireless display that caters to customerslooking for a commitment-free way to usethe latest cell phones.…
cash in hand
After creating a successful financial services program, Great Stops LLC is primed to make it an attainable profit center for other retailers. The idea of cashing $1 million in taxadvance loan checks in a conveniencestore could be daunting to some retailers, but not Great Stops LLC. TheChapel Hill, N.C.-based operation has benefited from having a…
wallowing in deep pools of inertia
Business success requires decisive action. Get ready, get set, whoa Nelly,hold on a minute. The failureto act decisively, to implement important decisions that are clearly in the best interests of thecompany, is a trend that we’ve noticed alot lately working with marketers around the country. To remain competitive and relevantin today’s tough business environmentrequires marketers…