The long-predicted demise of cigarettes has not come to fruition, nor is it likely to. But the effect of tobacco taxation and smoking restrictions has made it much more difficult to rely on cigarette sales as the primary category for driving in-store profitability. But don’t read that to mean tobacco is suffering. Retailers are reporting…
Competitive Assortment, Lower Prices Accelerate Cigar Growth
New insights on the cigar category reveal that retailers who manage the cigar category more strategically benefit from accelerated growth and a larger share of the market. The data was shared in a Convenience Store Decisions Webcast, sponsored by John Middleton Inc., titled “Cigars: Accelerating Category Profits by Increasing Strategic Focus,” and offered new evidence…
Deal Brewing for Couche-Tard?
United They Stand
United El Segundo Inc. Retail arm: United Oil Co. Primary areas of operation: Owns and operates convenience stores in Southern California in addition to maintaining a vast dealer-operated network and a chain of car washes. Long-range plans: Increasing market share while growing store count through new-to-market stores and acquisitions. Established: 1948 Net sales (2006): $1.27…
Growing the Business Together
On November 29th of this year, one of the most exciting moments of my publishing career occurred when we, Harbor Communications, closed on the purchase of Convenience Store Decisions from Penton Media. It was quick, exhilarating, and I am thrilled to now be the owner of such a groundbreaking, long-running publication serving this vital market.…
New Beginnings
I’d like to begin this month by saying I hope each and every one of you had a happy and healthy holiday season. It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for us at here at Convenience Store Decisions so I want to take a few minutes to give you all a personal update on the…
Deal Brewing for Couche-Tard?
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., Convenience Store Decisions 2007 Convenience Store Chain of the Year, locked up a $131.4-million sale and leaseback deal with Cole Capital related to 83 properties of Circle K Stores Inc. and Mac’s Convenience Stores throughout the U.S. The Laval, Quebec-based convenience store operator said it would use the proceeds to reduce its…
Kansas to Expand Ethanol Options
The Kansas Department of Agriculture is launching a pilot project that will allow fueling stations to install pumps that dispense a variety of ethanol blends and let consumers choose what blend they want. Almost all gas stations now have E10, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. All vehicles on the road…
Boston Stores To Limit Tobacco Ads
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is urging convenience stores, gas stations and liquor stores to adhere to city regulations limiting the advertising of tobacco products to minors. "We’ve done a great job in Boston of getting these stores to comply with the law forbidding the sale of tobacco products to minors," Mayor Menino said during a…
Wells’ Dairy Sells Milk Plant
Wells’ Dairy Inc., the Le Mars, Iowa-based manufacturer of frozen dairy products, reached a deal to sell its fluid dairy and cultured dairy facility in Le Mars, Iowa to Dean Foods Co. Terms were not disclosed. "Following extensive analysis, we have made a strategic decision to focus all of our efforts and resources on our…