SavOn convenience stores score exceptionally high on mystery shop reviews for its customer service skills. The convenience store industry has changed its customer service standards the past couple years. Customers expect more out of convenience store employees than ever before, and want some sort of “experience” when they stop by their favorite location. More c-stores…
Who Was Your Mentor?
As the convenience store industry continues to mature, today’s leaders have a responsibility to pass their wisdom forward. By Jim Callahan. Way back when I entered the oil industry as a bookkeeper in 1968, I didn’t have a clue how fortunate I was to have two great mentors. To be absolutely candid, I never heard…
Pilot Flying J Fights Human Trafficking
“Our associates, professional drivers and the motoring public can take a stand by keeping our eyes and ears open for trafficking red flags,” says Pilot Flying J CEO. In an effort to help raise awareness about human trafficking along America’s roadways, Pilot Flying J has partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) to expand education for…
Local Store Marketing: Greetings & Suggestive Sales
By John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. With any size retailer, getting customer trial at your store is the easy part. If the store owner throws out a compelling offer – perhaps a free deal – customers will come to your store to “check you out.” This is fairly straight forward,…
Sheetz Named Among Best Places to Work
“The fact that this is the 10th year in a row that our employees have rated us so highly says a lot about our culture and the spirit of teamwork and respect that exists throughout our company,” says Sheetz’ CEO. Sheetz Inc. has been named one of 2011’s Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania. …
Nice N Easy Recognizes Long-Term Employees
At an awards banquet, the Nice N Easy team celebrates employees who have worked with the company for five to 30 years. Canastota, N.Y. –based Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes recently recognized several employees who achieved very important milestones at a Service Awards Banquet held at The Rusty Rail in Canastota. President and CEO John…
Don’t Settle for Employee Mediocrity
Training and preparing employees for advancement is one proven method for attracting and retaining these talented workers. By Mel Kleiman, Contributing Editor. In the course of my more than 25 year’s of consulting and professional speaking work about how to recruit, select and retain the best frontline employees, I have identified one common case of…
Operational Excellence
By John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. Managing a retail store is tough work. Between operations, merchandising, marketing and facility upkeep, retail business owners have their hands full. Managing the details of retail is the difference between making it or not. All too often, retail owners become lax in their operation…
Rutter’s Trains Through the Web
Rutter’s Farm Stores now trains its new employees through online training services having teamed with both Ready Training Inc. and Targeted Solutions. Rutter’s Farm Stores has launched a new partnership to bring online training services to its employees. The company will work with Ready Training, Inc, a full-service online training company, and Targeted Solutions, a…
Family Express Partners with PeopleMatter
“We expect this year to be our most robust yet in terms of small acquisitions and new store development, and we feel that the PeopleMatter platform will bring about further efficiencies at a most welcome time,” says Family Express president and CEO. Family Express has teamed with PeopleMatter, a comprehensive talent management solution provider for…