7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto (pictured) fired a shot heard ‘round the industry calling for reforms to the direct store delivery (DSD) distribution system that helped grow the operator to one of the largest retailers in the U.S. The system has been used effectively for some 30 years, but the problem is, not much…
Convenience Industry Study Outlined at All Candy Expo
Three industry associations are partnering on a groundbreaking research effort to identify more effective and profitable opportunities in confections. Details of the study, which was spearheaded by The Hershey Co. and Eby-Brown, were announced at the All Candy Expo in Chicago. The study is intended to help generate increased sales and profits of confectionery products…
Hometown Convenience
Folks in Walla Walla, Wash., say their town is so nice, you have to say it twice. Bill and Loretta Singer (pictured on front) may be inclined to say it three or four times, seeing as the dynamics in this small town 13 miles north of the Oregon border have grown their relatively young convenience…
Fighting Through the Pain
Everybody wants a piece of the action. That was among the key messages my father taught me when he was running his business. Though he only had three pumps and four service bays, there was no shortage of business partners or associates who wanted a cut when times were good, but were nowhere to be…
Rutter’s Is Tops With Locals
Rutter’s topped the York Sunday News’ 2008 “Best of York” rankings in six categories, beating out a number of other national brands, the company said. Rutter’s took first place in the six categories evaluated by its hometown newspaper, including breakfast, coffee, deli/sub/sandwich, fast food, lunch and milk. York, Pa.-based Rutter’s bested the likes of Cracker…
Uni-Marts LLC Files For Bankruptcy
Uni-Marts LLC, operator of 283 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, has voluntarily filed bankruptcy, but in the meantime will continue operating most of its stores without interruption. The move, however, will result in closure of at least 45 Uni-Marts stores. The company and six subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions this week under Chapter…
Fresh & Easy Adds To Product Lineup
West Coast retailer Fresh & Easy said it added 23 new self-branded kitchen products to its lineup this week, all of which were developed by Fresh & Easy Chef Mike Ainslie. The company also introduced product No. 3 million to stores this week: a 17-ounce package of Fresh & Easy Mashed Potatoes made using only…
CHS Exec Calls For Delay On Lieberman-Warner Bill
CHS Inc. Executive Vice President and COO Leon Westbrock drafted a letter this week criticizing the Lieberman-Warner Bill pending in the U.S. Senate. “Next week the U.S. Senate may vote on the Lieberman-Warner bill which is intended to address greenhouse gas issues through a complex program of allowances targeted at our nation’s key industries,” Westbrock…
Zarco 66 Station Turning To Turbine Power
C-store chain Zarco 66, of Kansas, is taking its forward-thinking ecological practices a step further by planning green technologies such as the installation of a small-scale wind turbine atop its fuel island canopy, the Lawrence Journal reported. Lawrence City Commissioners gave tentative approval to Zarco 66 President Scott Zaremba’s plans to add a small-scale wind…
Altria Pushing OTP Over Cigarettes
Altria Group Inc. told shareholders this week that it’s looking to bolster its OTP business as domestic cigarette sales continue to decline, a decision also motivated by concerns about health, smoking bans and price increases, the Associated Press reported. Altria CEO Michael Szymanczyk told shareholders that while Altria will still be able to build market…