The onslaught continues. It never ceases to amaze me that why, in these trying economic times, lawmakers insist on introducing legislation that costs retailers sales opportunities. Virtually every chain I’ve covered over the past 15-plus years in this industry has counted on earnings and profits to reinvest in the business. That means buying more real…
Combating C-Store Theft
Typically, convenience stores can experience a few gasoline thefts a week. But when prices increase, some stores see several gas thefts a day. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor When times get hard, thieves get industrious and innovative. The response by convenience store operators must be twofold: extensive background checks on potential employees to weed out…
Coalition Urges Senators To Reform U.S. Sugar Program
Vote on Amendment No. 2433 to the 2012 Farm Bill expected today. In advance of the Senate’s consideration of amendments to the 2012 Farm Bill today, the Coalition for Sugar Reform released the following statement urging Senators to support Amendment NO. 2433. “Last week’s narrow 50-46 defeat of the Shaheen sugar amendment is evidence that…
LA Bans Plastic Bags In Retail Outlets
Los Angeles plans to get rid of all plastic bags in the city to promote sustainability in its grocery, convenience and retail stores. The Los Angeles City Council approved a sweeping ban on the distribution of single-use, plastic shopping bags at grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies within the city. This decision came from a…
ABC Cracks Down on Illegal Sales in Virginia
Reports find that about one in every eight stores in Virginia sells tobacco or alcohol to underage buyers. The Virginia Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) now has a program to see if alcohol and tobacco retailers follow the law when it comes to selling to underage buyers. The state conducted more than 9,700 underage…
Mandatory Receipts at Convenience Stores?
A Philadelphia City Councilman wants to make receipts mandatory at all convenience stores in the city. Philadelphia City Councilman Curtis Jones told CBS News that he is frustrated that not all convenience stores readily offer receipts. Some, he said in the report, are hoping to keep cash transactions off the records. Jones, in the report,…
NRF Urges FTC To Move Cautiously on Mobile Payments
“The government should not impose regulations that would forestall yet-to-be-imagined advances and innovation,” says NRF spokesperson. The National Retail Federation is urging the Federal Trade Commission to move cautiously in establishing regulations for mobile payments, and said any rules that are adopted should parallel those for the underlying form of payment and not be specific…
Retail Theft Laws Get Stronger In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) and Pennsylvania Convenience Store Council (PCSC) supported “Organized Retail Crime” (ORC) legislation into law today. Representative Thomas R. Caltagirone (D-Berks) was the primary sponsor of the bill and Representative Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) was the first co-sponsor. House Bill 1720 strengthens Pennsylvania’s retail theft laws.…
Could A Value-Added Tax Be Next?
President Barack Obama in an interview with CNBC Wednesday noted the possibility of a new value-added tax (VAT) is still on the table, although White House spokesmen insist it’s no longer being considered, the Associated Press reported. A VAT is normal in many European countries, which tax the value added at each stage of production…
The Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco supports passing Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking
The Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco has praised the New York Association of Counties for passing a resolution calling for the federal government to support and implement the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act of 2009, S. 1147. The resolution, passed by NYSAC on Feb. 11, 2010, calls on Congress “to take any and…