Most c-store owners understand that advancements in payment technology are causing fuel consumers to come into the c-store from the pump less and less. Because gas margins are so thin compared to those on items sold inside the c-store, this is a troubling trend for store owners. C-store owners can no longer simply rely on great fuel prices to drive their store’s customer traffic and loyalty. Now, retailers are under pressure to innovate and keep their consumers coming inside their stores. While...

July is almost over and temperatures are still high. If you haven’t already began offering frozen drinks to your consumers, it’s not too late to start. With more consumers shifting the way they think about food and beverage choices, there are plenty of frozen dispensed beverage trends to take advantage of. If you’re looking for a great way to boost profits, increase traffic, and enhance your store’s image in the summer and all year around, frozen beverages are a great way to go.

Many of the best convenience stores are filled with products of all kinds. These different products often come from several brands and in an assortment of varieties. For the c-store shopper, choosing the right product can be a challenge when standing among all their options. Because many convenience customers are often in a hurry, the packaging of their food and drink items is an important factor in their product choices. As always, the industry is relying on packaging trends to give consumers...

Mandeep and her husband are the owners and operators of American Eagle, a gas station and convenience store in Toccoa, Georgia. In a small country town like Toccoa, American Eagle has become a hub for the community. Because large grocery stores or even fast food chain locations are few and far between, the citizens of Toccoa really rely on small businesses for day to day food and beverage purchases. Luckily at American Eagle, customers can do even more than grab a quick beverage and fill up...

By now, all c-store retailers should be aware of the importance of optimizing the shelves in their store. Where a product is placed can make all the difference in whether it sells. There are several best practice concepts that store owners can use to best organize their store shelves and keep their profits rising.

While gasoline purchases are the number one reason why shoppers go to convenience stores, food and beverages follow close behind at number two. Consumers of all ages are drawn to the ease of grabbing a quick drink whether it’s on their way to work or before they get back on the road for a road trip. Beverage sales are something you should prioritize all year round to maximize your customer satisfaction and your profits. If you want to make sure your c-store is ready for success, understanding...

Studies say that most people spend 53 hours a year at the grocery store. However, as technology has evolved and the consumer demand for more convenience has grown, more consumers are turning toward grocery delivery options. In fact, as of 2015 a quarter of global respondents were already ordering groceries online and having them delivered to their home. More consumers are embracing the e-commerce trends and looking forward to the growing number of options for leaving trips to brick-and-mortar...

In today’s food and retail industries, choices are seemingly endless and several trends are driving the way that consumers purchase and eat food. One trend, healthy eating, continues to be critical to the success of many food retailers and restaurants today. Over time, Americans have become more health conscious than ever and now they expect even grab-and-go meals and snacks to be good for their body. However, as c-stores are making the shift to offer more healthy options for foodservice and...

In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was passed. This legislation protected small business owners and consumers alike, by placing a limit on the fees that banks could charge businesses for debit and credit card swipes. The fee reform meant business owners could grow their bottom line without hiking up prices for their customers. Since 2010, the debit fee reform has saved businesses and their consumers $40 million. Now, the U.S. House Committee on Financial...

The convenience store is a staple in almost every neighborhood. Although these neighborhoods and the people who live in them are all different, some studies have shown that trends do exist across the convenience industry and the customers that frequent stores across the country. While your “regular” customers may frequent your c-store simply because they’re nearby, there are other customer characteristics to consider when thinking about frequent shoppers.