“Improved quality—not just for products, but for service, location and marketing communications—is needed to bring in or bring back consumers for whom c-stores aren’t top-of-mind choices,” says Mintel spokesperson. While on-the-go customers are consistently searching for convenient snack and meal options that won’t slow them down, Mintel reported hungry shoppers often ignore the convenience store…
Emphasizing Category Management
By: John Lofstock, Editor. Convenience Store Decisions‘ annual Category Management Outlook issue is routinely one of my favorite issues of the year because it gives the CSD staff an opportunity not only to analyze the industry’s performance over the past 12 months, but to forecast the sales trends retailers can expect to see over the…
Don’t Overlook the Little Things
We all know that customer service, bright lights and a clean store drive business, yet many stores are not getting the message. By Jim Callahan. Last month I took a close look at making the outside appearance of our convenience stores attractive enough to entice consumers to want to enter our stores and spend more…
Enter the 2011 C-Store Futurecast Contest
Is your image suffering from market fatigue? Could your stores use a face lift? Are you looking for a marketing edge that will reinvigorate your retail brand? Then it’s time to enter C-Store Futurecast 2011, Convenience Store Decisions’ Extreme Marketing Makeover contest. CSD has joined forces with Convevo Partners and Integrate to offer one contest…
Choosing a Foodservice Model That Works
Is co-branding or a proprietary program the right choice for your chain? Retailers weigh in on what factors to consider before selecting a food brand. By: Erin Rigik, Associate Editor In today’s market, foodservice is crucial to attracting customers and maintaining strong sales. When adding foodservice, building a proprietary brand, co-branding and leasing space to…
IDDBA Reviews Purchasing Behavior in the Deli
Deli shoppers include the quality-driven, convenience-driven and health-conscious consumer. The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) has released a new deli benchmark study, Consumers in the Deli: Attitudes, Buying Behavior & Purchase Drivers. The new report updates the last study published in 2004 and determines the degree to which customers are changing eating behavior or tastes and…
Midwest Circle K Offers Hunt Brothers Pizza
“We recognized a growing consumer demand for hot fresh food options,” Circle K spokesperson says. A Circle K convenience store in Manteno, Ill., has added Hunt Brothers Pizza, a national made-to-order pizza brand that serves the convenience store industry. Located at 29 South Locust and open 24/7, the store plans to offer Hunt Brothers Pizza…
Retail Outlook: Cautiously Optimistic
Balvor survey highlights the foodservice concerns, focus and sentiments held by convenience store operators heading into 2011. By David Bishop, Contributing Editor. Cautious because a number of external factors, ranging from continued high unemployment, constrained consumer spending, and weak construction and housing markets are creating especially stiff headwinds for their core shopper base. Optimistic as…
Turning a Foodservice Profit
The stagnant economy and hefty cigarette taxes have more c-store chains adding extra roller grill items to provide a greater array of hot food options at a value price. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Yes, the number of food items that can be prepared on roller grills—hot dogs, corn dogs, taquitos, stuffed breadsticks, kielbasa, grilled…
Getting A Bigger Piece of the Foodservice Pie
Quality, price point and flexibility continue to drive customer interest in pizza. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Americans are into upscale, premium and gourmet everything these days. So why would anyone expect pizza to be any different? The question is, “Can your pizza program measure up?” From exotic toppings to a variety of doughs, c-store…