By: John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc. The lease is up at your existing location, and the new center down the street is happening. The thought of relocating your business is daunting—when will you find the time and will you lose customers? An important decision faces your brand—do you relocate your…
MACS To Be Exclusive Circle K Developer in Mid-Atlantic Region
Company-owned stores to begin conversion to the Circle K brand starting this August. Richmond, Va.-based Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores (MACS), one of the largest convenience store networks and fuel distributors in the mid-Atlantic region, announced today a new retail branding strategy that positions MACS as the exclusive developer for the Circle K brand in four regions:…
Valero To Acquire 29 Crackerbox Stores
“These stores are great assets and will complement our existing Corner Store network,” says CEO of Valero Retail. Valero Retail Holdings, a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corp., is purchasing 29 stores in the Little Rock and Hot Springs, Ark. areas from The Crackerbox Stores and converting them to Valero Corner Stores in the coming months.…
BP Unveils $500 Million Marketing Plan
BP Products North America looks to revitalize its U.S. retail brand. BP Products North America Inc. has rolled out plans to reclaim the title as the number one fuels marketer east of the Rockies at the 2012 BP Amoco Marketers Association (BPAMA) Convention and Business Expo—an annual gathering of BP marketers taking place in Florida.…
Chester’s Opens 200th Store of the Year
“Chester’s success can be attributed to our commitment to our retailers,” says Chester’s spokesperson. Chester’s International LLC, a fried chicken foodservice provider in the convenience store industry, has opened its 200th store of the year. The milestone was crossed with three recent openings: Sunmart Store #115 in Fargo, N.D., Bailey’s in Franklin Furnace, Ohio and…
BP’s ampm Adds Chase ATMs
Some 800 ATMs scheduled for ampm locations in five states. Chase ATMs are set to be installed at 800 ARCO-branded ampm locations in California as well as Washington, Arizona, Oregon and Nevada as part of Chase’s nation-wide ATM network expansion. “Chase’s ATMs are an exciting addition to our convenience store offering, and will help us…
Shell Bolsters Loyalty
The Fuel Rewards Network, an extension of its Grocer Rewards program, is enhancing the brand proposition for Shell marketers and wholesalers. By John Lofstock, Editor. The competition for customers has never been so furious. Consumers have more and more choices every day, and the right customer loyalty program has the power to make or break…
It’s All About the Brand
Top retailers in any category understand the importance of their brand, their brand promise and how they deliver on that promise. They understand that given a choice, consumers would rather spend their money with retail brands they know, like and trust. So how recognizable is your c-store brand and what is it that you promise…
Breaking into Branding
Branded Check List Retailers planning to add a branded foodservice program should consider the start up cost as well what long-term factors will influence profitability such as additional labor and rising food costs. “You have to decide what’s best for you,” said Sandy Arrasmith of J&H Family Stores. “Take a look at the brand you…
BP’s ampm Offers Breakfast Samples
After launching its new breakfast menu at the start of this month, ampm invited customers to sample its new breakfast burritos, empanadas and croissant sandwiches today from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at participating ampm stores across the U.S. while supplies lasted. Participating stores offered half-size versions of items from the new menu and handed…