Easy Trip Convenience Stores are dedicated to customer service. As part of that strategy, the Ohio chain has introduced a new mobile app and fresh Websites to fast forward into the mobile, social and digital worlds. A newly launched client with OpenStore by GasBuddy, Easy Trip is thriving with the new technology that includes a…
NACS Celebrates the Past, Looks to Redefine the Future
As NACS celebrates the convenience and fuel retailing industry’s remarkable achievements since it was founded 50 years ago, the association is equally looking toward the future, said NACS President and CEO Hank Armour during the NACS Show Opening General Session. It is expected that more than 22,000 attendees from 50 countries will attend the 2011…
Are You Prepared for FDA Tobacco Inspections?
As the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) begins to implement tobacco regulations, the tumult surrounding tobacco at retail shows no sign of abating. In fact, the future of cigarette retailing will depend largely on retailers themselves. This issue and more will be addressed at the National Advisory Group (NAG) conference, September 10-13th in Savannah,…
Are Your Stores Compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
Is your chain meeting the rigid ADA compliance standards? Many operators think they, but are not and as a result find themselves facing federal fines and even litigation. Join us at the 2011 National Advisory Group (NAG) conference and hear from M. Bradley Gaskins, a leading accessibility architect who specializes in helping retail operators, including…
Aloha Petroleum Unveils C-Store Prototype
Aloha Petroleum Ltd., the Hawaii-based gas retailer and convenience store operator, has unveiled the first ‘ground-up’ version of a new prototype design for its convenience store-fuel sites that highlights the chain’s local roots. Designed by CBX, the strategic branding and retail design consultancy, the 3,000-square-foot store and adjoining gas islands with five pumps opened in…
Emerging Retail Trends
Convenience store owners should expect to embrace new technology and a fresh set of rules for communicating with today’s consumers as 2011 approaches. A year that witnessed a whirlwind of technological advancements proved that retail is all about change. The best retailers are embracing that change and diversifying their technology investments in order to stay…
Effectively Managing Scan Data
Before executives at The Spinx Co. roll out a sales promotion to their 75-plus convenience stores in the Carolinas, they carefully review current point-of-sale (POS) sales data. “We’re able to pull all sorts of data by store, by category and by items,” said Bryan Zeiger, category manager for Spinx, who relies on the reports when…
Attacking Shrink from All Angles
Loss prevention in retail is becoming a more challenging task as the economy stumbles along. In order to keep costs down it is important to put measures into place that will deter thieves. In a tough economy, every dollar counts. But loss prevention is often overlooked by convenience stores, even when following through on upholding…
Food Lion Rolls Out Cell Phone App
Food Lion customers can now access weekly specials, new recipes and store directions right at their fingertips by using their iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. “At Food Lion, we are constantly looking for new ways to enhance the shopping experiences of our customers,” said David Palmer, director of customer relationship management and interactive marketing for…
Securing Payment Data
The SWAT Team During its brief tenure, the PCATS Data Security Standards committee has proven extraordinarily active, holding biweekly conference call meetings that are regularly attended by as many as 50 members. As PCATS Executive Director Gray Taylor pointed out, “These aren’t single-site operators. These are people who are in charge of security for…