Study identifies five compelling new platforms that can drive convenience retail growth. Convenience retailers seeking a profitable path to the future now have five compelling growth platforms to explore, following recommendations offered in the final section of a new NACS /Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council (NACS / CCRRC) study posted on www.ccrrc.org. “C-Growth: Using Shopper Research…

Anheuser-Busch has announced personnel changes in its National Retail Sales organization, led by Chris Williams, vice president NRS. Effective April 2, 2012 Manny Zayas will become the vice president and team lead, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Walmart International. Zayas joined the organization last year as vice president of convenience and successfully merged the c-store and…

Kevin Freudenthal takes helm as region director–Americas and president and CEO of Commonwealth–Altadis Inc. Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, the world’s fourth-largest tobacco company, has appointed Kevin Freudenthal as region director–Americas and president and CEO of Commonwealth–Altadis Inc. He will assume his new position on Jan. 30, 2012, succeeding Graham Bolt who has retired from the company. Freudenthal brings a wealth of experience…

The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) spent $655,000 during the third quarter lobbying the federal government on issues related to price gouging, energy policy, credit card fees, tobacco regulation and other key business issues that impact the industry, the Associated Press reported. This year the association also lobbied the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department…

While dealing with red tape is a common occurrence when dealing with local municipalities, there are tax benefits for businessowners to make the process less costly.  By Mark E. Battersby, Contributing Editor. Thanks to the economy and skyrocketing costs, convenience stores and other businesses are making less money and paying more in taxes while, at…

“I came [to NACS] for the advocacy and stayed for the knowledge and connections,” said new NACS Chairman Tom Robinson during the Oct. 4 Closing General Session at the NACS Show.   An estimated more than 22,000 attendees from 50 countries attended the 2011 NACS Show, which featured more than 60 workshops and 1,300 exhibitors…

Approximately $3.2 million dollars. That’s the savings thus far to the convenience and fuels retailing industry and their customers since the Durbin amendment took effect just yesterday, said NACS Chairman Jeff Miller during the NACS Show Opening General Session. Miller, who is president of Norfolk, Va.-based Miller Oil Co., said that the swipe fee reform…

While private label products are improving, quality and value remain critical components for all snacking options. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor “Yes, but…” That’s the all-too-common answer to the question of whether or not price promotions can drive snack sales in convenience stores. Yes, in a lousy economy people look for and respond to savings.…

Convenience store in-store sales grew 4.4%in 2010, reaching a record $190.4 billion. NACS has released the NACS State of the Industry Report of 2010 Data, the industry’s premier benchmarking tool and most comprehensive collection of firm-level, store-level and category data and trends based on the convenience and petroleum marketing industry’s 2010 performance. Compiling and analyzing…

Speedway LLC President Tony Kenney and Valero Energy Corp. President Gary Arthur have been announced as panelists for the NACS Show General Session panel “A Tale of Two Retailers.” The panel discussion will be moderated by Joe Petrowski, CEO of Cumberland Farm Group of Cos. The Oct. 3 session, presented by NACS Magazine, is part…