Prepaid card sales are on the rise, and digital or ‘virtual’ prepaid cards continue to trend. The U.S. prepaid card market grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% from 2017-2022, according to Researchandmarket.com’s report “United States Prepaid Card and Digital Wallet Business and Investment Opportunities Databook – Market Size and Forecast, Consumer…
Should My C-Store Add Bean-to-Cup Coffee Dispensers?
Bean-to-cup coffee dispensers are the latest trend in the coffee area. But convenience store retailers must weigh the benefits with the cost of new equipment. Bean-to-cup coffee machines can signal ‘fresh’ to customers because the machines grind the coffee fresh with the touch of a button. Most retailers point to the perception of freshness as…
C-Stores Embrace Electronic Payments
C-store technology is rapidly expanding, and nowhere is that more evident than in the realm of electronic payments. “There are several trends that we have seen accelerate over the last year,” said Perry Kramer, managing partner with retail consulting firm Retail Consulting Partners. “One of the largest accelerations we have seen is in the use…
Huck’s Market Elevates Food
Following its rebrand as Huck’s Market in 2020, Huck’s has been busy redesigning stores, growing its foodservice menu and investing in new technology, including self-checkout and frictionless payments. Carmi, Ill.-based Huck’s can trace its roots to 1960 when founders Frank Bayley and Bob Martin partnered to open Big John supermarkets. They grew the business from…
Conversations With Women in Convenience Featuring Joy Almekies
Erin Del Conte, executive editor of CStore Decisions, speaks with Joy Almekies, senior director of food services, Global Partners about her experiences as a Gen X woman in the convenience store industry. This podcast is sponsored by Hunt Brothers Pizza. CStore Decisions · Conversations With Women in Convenience Featuring Joy Almekies
Is a Barista Program Right for My C-Store?
Convenience stores traditionally feature self-serve coffee, but as c-stores have transitioned into more food-centric businesses, some are implementing barista programs to offer customers made-to-order espresso-based beverages. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, some customers were more reticent about using self-serve dispensers leading to a growing demand for made-to-order coffee. As drive-through service expands and…
How to Upgrade Your C-Store Coffee Program
With the latest COVID-19 surge now waning, spring on the horizon and customers returning to former routines after the better part of two years, it may be time for some convenience stores to consider a coffee bar refresh. It should go without saying that a good coffee program starts with a quality cup of coffee…
The 2022 Category Management Handbook
After two full years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent omicron variant surge, uncertainty along with supply chain issues and labor shortages remain, yet convenience store retailers are cautiously optimistic about what 2022 has in store. A number of categories have recovered from pandemic lows, while some that enjoyed a robust pandemic boost —…
How Do You Determine the Best Foodservice Program for Your C-Store?
More convenience stores are upping their foodservice game today, but the best program for a c-store chain depends on numerous factors. First, retailers need to evaluate the offerings already sold in their operating area. Is there a sandwich shop next door or a pizza place across the street? If so, you might want to set…
Building Foodservice Success
CStore Decisions caught up with Dora Ocampo, senior foodservice category manager for Waltham, Mass.-based Global Partners, to learn more about her approach to the foodservice category. Global Partners operates more than 300 stores across New England and New York with many different banners (Alltown, Xtramart, Jiffy Mart, Honey Farms, etc.). Of those 300-plus stores, 75%…