By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN Wholesale gasoline prices made sharp gains in late July, early August, and there’s more upside left in the cash market, which will filter through to retail outlets across the U.S. Absent a steep selloff, retail gasoline prices are poised to move higher in most U.S. metropolitan…
Weathering the Economic Storm
C-store retailers express optimism as financial conditions continue to slowly improve. by Mel Kleiman, Contributing Editor. While we were able to summarize the major findings of the 2012 CSD/Humetrics Human Resources Benchmarking Survey earlier this year, there are a few more interesting facts to share concerning the responses to our first question: “How was the…
Fresh & Easy Slashes Jobs
Despite job cuts, Tesco continues to fight for the future of Fresh & Easy. Tesco has cut jobs at the Californian headquarters of its struggling Fresh & Easy chain in the U.S, but is still continuing with business as usual, according to Reuters. “In April we said we are taking a more cautious approach…
NRA Reports Job Growth Rate For Restaurant Industry
The National Restaurant Association finds that the job growth rate in the restaurant industry outpaces overall job growth rate in the U.S. The restaurant industry continues to lead the job market in creating jobs. The past year, eating and drinking place employment increased 2.7%, which is more than double the 1.3% increase in total U.S.…
Gas Sales Still High While Consumers Cut Spending Levels
Recent surveys show that Americans still want to buy gasoline, though they are cutting spending levels in other retail areas. Empathica Inc., a global provider of Customer Experience Management (CEM) solutions to more than 200 of the world’s respected brands, announced Thursday that its Consumer Insights Panel survey of 6,500 U.S. consumers found that consumers…
Inspiring Leadership in Those Around You
Master Chief Petty Officer David A. Lindenberger. He is the toughest man I’ve ever met. As the senior enlisted man aboard the submarine USS Providence during my time in the Navy, he was known simply as Chief of the Boat or the COB. He wasn’t a particularly big man, maybe an iron fist taller than…
Creating A Policy And Procedure Handbook
By John Matthews, president of Gray Cat Enterprises. “Badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges! I don’t have to show you any stinkin’ badges!” – from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. As a small business owner, you may wonder why one would need to get organized from a policy and…
Half Century Man
By John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. Feb. 11 was a milepost of sorts – I turned 50! As I enter the second half of my life [sic], I look back at the first 50 years with a great sense of pride and exuberance. I have been blessed with the opportunities…
7-Eleven Closes Sam’s Mart Deal
The 55 acquired stores are scheduled for rebranding as 7-Elevens in 2012. 7-Eleven Inc. has closed on the acquisition of 55 Sam’s Mart stores from Sam’s Mart LLC. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Slurpee drinks and Big Bite hot dogs aren’t the only good news 7-Eleven stores’ return to the Greater Charlotte…
Subway Aims To Open 2,500 Locations in 2012
New SUBWAY restaurants are expected to create a total of 25,000 full and part-time jobs in 2012. Through the opening of more than 2,400 restaurants worldwide, including 1,100 new locations just in the U.S. and Canada alone, the SUBWAY restaurant chain created approximately 24,000 new foodservice job and career opportunities in 2011. By opening an…