General Mills has appointed Sheila Gallagher as general manager of its Convenience Channels, the company said. In her new role, Gallagher is responsible for General Mills’ business in key segments, including convenience stores, vending, non-food retailers and General Mills’ restaurant accounts segment. Prior to her new role, Gallagher was senior director of restaurant accounts in…
Multiculturalism in the Marketplace…No Myth in C-Stores
A lack of mentors is affecting the advancement of women and minorities to executive positions. Even with the strain of oil prices and the reduction of in-store sales, convenience stores are a booming industry. But it has some work to do to continue reaching a profitable, untapped demographic: women. Women are a full 50% of…
Take Me Out of the Ball Game
With all the volatility surrounding the fuel business, a more effective strategy may be found in focusing on in-store volume. Any rookie baseball player knows you can’t win if you don’t score and that you can’t score if you don’t get on base. In business, this veteran player feels strongly that you can’t win if…
Spartan Steps Up Expansion Plans
Spartan Stores Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based grocery distributor that also operates 84 supermarkets in Michigan and Ohio, is looking to add another 10 stores to its portfolio in the next three years, according to the Grand Rapids Press. The construction includes a previously announced flagship store in Grand Rapids, though a timeline hasn’t been…
TravelCenters of America Extends Truck Repair Services To Petro:Lube
Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America said it has amended its long-standing agreement with Daimler Trucks North America LLC to expand its ServicePoint brand to the company’s Petro:Lube locations. “TA” and “TravelCenters of America” heavy truck-repair centers have been ServicePoint-branded locations since 1999, complementing the services provided by the Daimler dealer network. The chain’s repair shops…
Spartan Steps Up Expansion Plans
Spartan Stores Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based grocery distributor that also operates 84 supermarkets in Michigan and Ohio, is looking to add another 10 stores to its portfolio in the next three years, according to the Grand Rapids Press. The construction includes a previously announced flagship store in Grand Rapids, though a timeline hasn’t been…
Tough Break For Fast Break Workers
Employees at a Fast Break convenience store in Evans, Colo., may face criminal charges after dumping at least 400 gallons of diesel fuel into a stormwater drain that led directly to the South Platte River, the Greeley Tribune in Colorado reported. Customers saw the employees emptying the fuel into the drain and called authorities Sunday…
Putting Feet on the Street
Mark VII Equipment Inc., the Colorado-based subsidiary of WashTec AG of Germany, has added four people to its direct sales organization, the company said. Mark VII is a leading manufacturer and supplier of equipment and solutions for the carwash industry worldwide. “I’m proud to add these experienced sales professionals to the Mark VII team,” said…
Tesoro Closes Up 42 Mirastar sites
Petroleum giant Tesoro said it has closed 42 Mirastar sites located at Wal-Mart stores nationwide, though it will continue to operate another 32 Mirastar stores that are also located at Wal-Mart. Company spokeswoman Sarah Simpson said it was a “business decision” that prompted the closings, declining to delve into specifics. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas,…
Marsupial Miracle
Kangaroo, the Sanford, N.C.-based operator of 1,650 convenience stores in the southeastern U.S., was a recent participant in the third annual Dairy Queen “Miracle Treat Day” aimed at raising money for the nonprofit Children’s Miracle Network. Kangaroo is a franchisee of seven Dairy Queen locations as well. The c-store operator was one of thousands of…