At a time when many convenience stores were reeling amid the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago-based c-store chain Foxtrot watched its revenues double from January to May. Key to that success was Foxtrot’s ability to elevate its existing digital platform — which has been evolving since the company began as an e-commerce app seven…
Dealing With the New Normal
The c-store industry was never for the faint of heart. The competition is aggressive, customers have extremely high standards, and any challenges encountered have to be overcome — and fast. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that retail is evolving constantly to meet customers’ needs. This is not easy to do on short…
Top 4 Tips for Growing Coffee Sales
Today’s customers want more from their coffee. They expect it to be high quality, fresh. Hot and iced. They want to try new flavors; if they like it, they’ll grab the pods. Convenience retailers must know the trends and provide options. Customers also want to feel good about where their coffee comes from and how…
Real Estate in the Time of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every area of business, including real estate considerations. In fact, many new laws, programs and measures, especially the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, have significant impacts on real estate. Convenience store operators and owners are benefiting from immediate write-offs for the expense of fixing up their stores,…
Stewart’s Opens 20 Shops in 2020
Stewart’s Shops has a total of 20 shops opening in 2020. In fact, the New York-based c-store chain is setting a company record by opening six shops in three short weeks. “Our construction crews, district managers, marketing teams and gas team are busier than ever,” the company said. The full 2020 shop opening schedule, all…
NAG/YEO Virtual Conference: Tobacco Policy Primer – Stay Informed, Stay Engaged
National Advisory Group (NAG) Executive Director John Lofstock opened the eighth and final session of the 2020 NAG/YEO Virtual Conference with a thank you to all of the attendees as well as panelists who, despite the obstacles presented by the pandemic, came together to learn and to educate over an eight-week period. The session,…
Open Pantry Elevates C-Store Veteran Jim Schutz to COO
Pleasant Prairie, Wis.-based Open Pantry Food Marts is celebrating long-time partner Jim Schutz, who earlier this year accepted the title of chief operating officer (COO), in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Jim has really been running Open Pantry for the last eight years,” said Robert Buhler, president and CEO of Open Pantry, which operates seven…
NAG Awards Five Scholarships
The National Advisory Group (NAG) has been supporting higher education for the past 22 years. The association is proud to continue that support with the announcement of five $1,000 scholarships to members who work in the convenience store and petroleum industry or are children of an employee of a NAG member company. This year’s scholarship…
Single-Use Foodservice Packaging: An Unsung Hero
Convenience store operations across the country have come to depend on single-use foodservice packaging to keep their businesses operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are everyday staples, like soda cups, take-out food containers and cutlery that have become ubiquitous in our lives. That’s why, in a busy world where providing fresh, healthy and fun food…
Exclusive: Parkland to Unite North American Stores Under On the Run Flag
Parkland Corp. has acquired the license for the exclusive use of the On the Run trademark in the majority of U.S. states from Alimentation Couche-Tard, allowing it to create a unified North American convenience store brand, Parkland USA executives announced today in an exclusive meeting with CStore Decisions. The deal also provides what the company…