Convenience store retailers looking to drive loyalty can learn all about KickBack’s innovative loyalty solutions by visiting the KickBack team at Booth 401 at The Tech EVENT from May 6-10 in Dallas. It’s crucial that convenience store retailers take a step back now and look at what is coming down the pipeline with loyalty solutions…
Tedeschi Food Shops Urges Support for The One Fund Boston
Four of the chain’s nearly 200 stores remain closed due to the ongoing manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers. Separately, 7-Eleven tells CSD that despite media reports one of its stores was not robbed by the suspects early this morning. By John Lofstock, Editor As the nation continues to mourn the senseless terrorist attack on…
Shaken Economy Cannot Stir Gasoline Demand
Brian L. Milne, Energy Editor, Schneider Electric For six straight weeks, the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) retail gasoline price average has declined, down 17.6 cents or 4.7% from Feb. 25 when it reached $3.784 gallon, which is currently the high for 2013. Considering sharp selling activity during the second week of April, the February high…
Convenience Store Sales Topped $700 Billion in 2012
The convenience store industry had record sales of $700.3 billion in 2012, with in-store sales increasing 2.2% to reach a record $199.3 billion and motor fuels sales increasing 2.9% to a record $501.0 billion, according to figures released yesterday by NACS. The industry’s 2012 numbers were announced at the NACS State of the Industry Summit,…
Fas Mart/Shore Stop Stores Roll Out Mobile App
Fas Mart/Shore Stop Convenience Stores have introduced Fas APP, the company’s first smartphone application, which debuted this month across more than 200 locations primarily in Virginia, Connecticut, Maryland and Delaware. Fas APP, dveloped by VERGE Connect, integrates with the retailer’s new Fas CASHBACK secure payment card, which lets customers customize the types of food, beverage…
Mielke Oil Signs on With VP’s Retail Branding Program
VP Racing Fuels Inc. announced the newest addition to its roster of retail brand partners — Mielke Oil Co. Based in Little Falls, Minn., Mielke has distributed VP’s race fuels and other performance products for two years and sees much opportunity in VP’s brand program. “VP enjoys a great reputation for quality products in the…
Shrinking Labor Force Pressures Gasoline Demand
First quarter fuel demand jumps 1.4% in the first quarter, according to the Energy Information Administration. By Brian L. Milne, Energy Editor, Schneider Electric Preliminary data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows gasoline demand in the U.S. ending the first quarter 1.4% higher than during the same three months in 2012, although down 1.2%…
Wholesale Costs Set to Reverse March’s Lower Trend in Retail Prices
By Brian L. Milne, Energy Editor, Schneider Electric After four consecutive weeks with a decline, and 23 out of 29 days in which retail gasoline prices have fallen, higher wholesale costs could reverse the recent trend observed in March and push prices at the pump higher in early April. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported…
U.S. Gasoline Prices Pause Ascent—Renewed Advance Awaits
By Brian L. Milne, Energy Editor, Schneider Electric For the first time since the middle of December, the U.S. average price for regular grade gasoline moved lower according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) weekly survey, pressured by worries over economic growth and the effect on fuel demand, along with lower asking prices by suppliers…
Four Tips for Squelching Negative Social Media Backlash
By Ashley Verrill, CRM Analyst for Software Advice and Managing Editor for the Customer Service Investigator Customer service expert, consultant and author Micah Solomon told me recently about one question that consistently dominates group discussion at his public speaking events: “Isn’t my brand and company in danger out there in the social media universe?” The…