Grizzly, the flagship moist snuff tobacco brand of Memphis-based American Snuff Co., is celebrating 10 years of unprecedented success. Grizzly has become the best-selling smokeless tobacco brand on the U.S. market in 10 short years — something unique to the industry that has never been done before. From its introduction in 2001, Grizzly grown to…
Love’s Launches Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser
Beginning now through Sept. 30, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores employees will be putting their hearts into raising funds for 89 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by asking customers to purchase $1, $5 or $20 heart icons. Love’s raises additional funds by holding bake sales, pumping gas for tips, conducting in-store drawings and coordinating other…
OTP Makes Strong Push for More Shelf Space
With flavored cigarettes no longer available in the U.S., flavored cigars are in line for sharp sales gains. By Joe Bush, Contributing Editor. There is no secret that cigars, specifically little cigars and flavored little cigars, have grabbed the interest of smokers who can no longer buy flavored cigarettes because of federal regulations. But there…
Revitalized Roller Grill Sales
Hot dogs and tornados continue to provide chains with inexpensive, labor-friendly meal solutions that allow store operators to expand their fresh food offering. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. One of the most maligned pieces of equipment in all of foodservice—the roller grill—remains the backbone of many convenience store foodservice programs, offering an inexpensive, labor-friendly way…
Wholesale Gasoline Costs Mixed in Mid-August
Wholesale gasoline costs were mixed through the week-ended Aug. 22, while the New York Mercantile Exchange September RBOB (gasoline) futures contract edged higher. In California, wholesale gasoline costs moved up on a sharp drawdown from state specific gasoline inventories, while in the Midwest costs were higher as refining activity eased. Gasoline costs in the Northeast…
Attracting and Keeping 18-34-Year-Old Consumers
Do you fully understand your core demographic of 18-34 year old shoppers? Wonder about their price sensitivity toward key products like foodservice and beverages? Join us at the 2011 National Advisory Group (NAG) conference, September 10-13th to hear an exclusive MSA report from its pioneering cciPanel, the consumer research field’s first mobile panel to capture…
Frozen Beverages Appealing to Younger Consumers
New products, flavors and sweeteners have helped energize sales. ew market research from Y-Pulse LLC shows that today’s preteens and teens are interested in more sophisticated and trendy beverages, including those served up in convenience stores and even their school cafeteria. In a recent online survey, Y-Pulse asked middle and junior high school students to…
Valero Donates $3 Million to Feeding America
Valero Energy Corp. has donated $3 million to Feeding America, as part of its “Fill Up to Fight Hunger” campaign. Motorists across America fought hunger in their communities simply by filling up with fuel at participating Valero-branded outlets for the past three months. For each 8-gallon fuel purchase made at a participating Valero outlet, Valero…
Are Your Stores Compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
Is your chain meeting the rigid ADA compliance standards? Many operators think they, but are not and as a result find themselves facing federal fines and even litigation. Join us at the 2011 National Advisory Group (NAG) conference and hear from M. Bradley Gaskins, a leading accessibility architect who specializes in helping retail operators, including…
New Dates for the 2012 Sweets & Snacks Expo
One week after the National Restaurant Association announced new dates for its annual conference, the National Confectioners Association, sponsor of the SWweets & Snacks Expo, said that the dates of the 2012 EXPO have changed to May 8-10 in an effort to avoid G8 Summit activities happening later in the month. Last week, NATO announced…