A crowning achievement of the CEFCO organization, the new store is the next generation of store design and guest experience. It incorporates a number of innovative operational enhancements made possible by an open, fresh design with modern treatments and upgraded finishes. “We are tremendously proud of what the newest CEFCO store means to the organization,”…
New Dates for the 2012 Sweets & Snacks Expo
One week after the National Restaurant Association announced new dates for its annual conference, the National Confectioners Association, sponsor of the SWweets & Snacks Expo, said that the dates of the 2012 EXPO have changed to May 8-10 in an effort to avoid G8 Summit activities happening later in the month. Last week, NATO announced…
Employee Unionization: Is Your Chain Ready?
How versed are you on current labor laws regarding union organizing? Do you know about the rules changes in regulations occurring within the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Department of Labor? Do you have a strategy plan for maintaining positive employee relations and effective union organizing strategies and tactics? If not, plan on…
Mississippi Retailer Challenges Tobacco Warning Labels
A Mississippi tobacco retailer is questioning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s plan that will require tobacco makers to include graphic health warnings and graphic images on cigarette packaging and advertisements, “It’s another form of Big Daddy trying to tell people what to do,” said Frank Williams of Gulfport, who owns three Smokey’s Discount Tobacco…
Strong Demand for Cigars
Flavored and single-serve cigars represent a real opportunity for convenience stores to boost tobacco sales. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. With flavored cigarettes no longer available in the U.S., flavored cigars are in line for sharp sales gains. But with FDA having declared last year that it’s got the cigar industry in its sights, retailers…
Serving Today’s Smokers
Led by the Gallagher family, Smoker Friendly continues the fight to sell tobacco legally and responsibly. By John Lofstock, Editor. While the federal government seems intent on eliminating tobacco products altogether, tobacco remains a legal product in the U.S. enjoyed by legal-aged adults exercising their right to smoke, dip or chew. The right to enjoy…
CSD Partners with MSA and Paradigm Sample
In our ongoing effort to provide the most relevant and timely industry data, Convenience Store Decisions has reached a deal to serve as the excusive media sponsor of the new Convenience Consumer Insights Panel (cciPanel) launched last month by Management Science Associates Inc. (MSA) and Paradigm Sample. The cciPanel is the consumer research field’s first…
Discount Tobacco City Takes on the FDA
When a number of major tobacco companies, including R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Conwood Co. LLC, Commonwealth Brands Inc., Lorillard Inc. and National Tobacco Co., decided to take on the federal government’s ban on tobacco advertising, they were looking for one retailer to step up and join the fight. They got their wish when Frank Hinton,…
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Convenience store operators must take the time to observe how their competitors are marketing tobacco. In most of the presentations I have given over the past few years, I challenge my participants to take the time to understand how their business is doing, but to also make sure to check on the competition. After all,…
The Future of Cigarette Retailing
With graphic new warning labels destined for individual packages and higher tobacco prices, retailers are facing a harsh new reality. On November 10, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled 36 graphic warning label images, one of which will be selected to go on every cigarette package no later than Sept. 22, 2012.…