NACS releases findings from its 2012 consumer fuels report. Beverage purchases drive gas customers inside the store more than any other item, but new preferences are emerging, with consumers saying that more foodservice, more healthy options and more local involvement could all increase their spending at convenience stores, according to findings released today from the…
C-Store Count Grows 1.2%
Today there is approximately one c-store per 2,100 U.S. residents. The U.S. convenience store count increased to a record 148,126 stores as of Dec. 31, 2011, a 1.2% increase (1,785 stores) from the year prior, according to the latest NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count. The convenience retailing industry has seen remarkable growth over the last…
Maintaining Compliance with Fuel Tank Standards
Out of sight, out of mind could land convenience store and gas station owners in serious trouble if they neglect their underground storage tanks (USTs) any longer. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. With fines for leaks on the rise, regulations for tank compliance data retention getting longer and reporting frequencies increasing, the time has come…
Tesco Deploys Retalix 10 Store Suite
Retalix to present at NRF Show, outlining the future of Tesco’s retail IT strategies. Tesco Plc. is set to deploy the Retalix next generation store platform following a successful initial pilot of the Retalix 10 Store Suite software. Tesco, the third largest grocery retailer in the world, has been a Retalix business partner since 1995,…
SymphonyIRI Report Examines Shopping Mission Trends
Times & Trends report finds pantry stock-up and quick trips account for two-thirds of CPG trips and dollar sales. It has long been a daunting task to stay in lock step with the shopper mindset. After all, mindsets are a moving target and can quickly change due to a variety of reasons, including purchase…
Susser Expects To Report Q3 Growth
Susser anticipates same-store merchandise sales growth ahead of its third quarter results release. Susser Holdings Corp. expects to report same-store merchandise sales growth for the third quarter of 2011 of approximately 7.4% versus the third quarter of 2010. Meanwhile, retail average per-store fuel volumes are expected to increase by 5.6% year-over-year. For the first three…
Boosting Fresh Food Sales
Americans are more amenable to buying meals at convenience stores, but won’t budge when it comes to quality, price or convenience factors like portability and packaging. By Howard Riell, Contributing Editor. Takeout food was invented for on-the-go consumers. But a takeout program has to do more than travel at high speeds. Today’s consumers want quality…
Murphy Oil Launches Gas Island Vending Pilot
Using Vendgogh’s integrated gas island vending solutions, Murphy Oil is set to allow fuel customers to buy fuel and cold drinks right at the pump with the swipe of a credit card. Murphy Oil USA is partnering with Vendgogh LLC to pilot gas island vending at selected Murphy USA stores in Arkansas, Georgia and North…
Climbing Gasoline Costs to Slow Retail Price Decline
By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Wholesale gasoline costs in the majority of US metropolitan markets moved higher during the first week of the fourth quarter, with some of those increases up sharply, climbing, in part, on easing concern that the U.S. would again slide into recession. The higher costs will, however,…
High’s Debuts Proprietary Fuel Brand
Maryland chain also unveils a prototype convenience store brand as it prepares for the future with a focus on energy efficiency, foodservice and market expansion. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor High’s of Baltimore is taking its convenience store and gas station business to the next level rolling out a new proprietary fuel brand—called High’s BTG—along…