C-store Dive summarized a recent Convenience Leaders Vision Group roundtable discussion in which the future of fuel was a hot topic. With federal funding increasing for electric vehicles and sales tripling in 2022, c-store owners are facing new challenges and looking for new ways to address this trend.
SNAP retailers are key access points to healthy, nutritious foods for SNAP recipients. USDA announced a $25M investment for SNAP healthy incentives. This will help SNAP retailers provide coupons, promotions, or special discounts on healthy items like fruits and vegetables for SNAP recipients.
Convenience stores have been upping their foodservice game over the last couple of years. In 2021, foodservice sales reached a record high of $43.2 billion in sales, and 20.5% increase from 2020.Convenience stores are evolving to stops for people to fuel not only their cars, but themselves too.
Grocers, convenience stores, and other specialty retailers could benefit from selling branded merchandise in-store. Selling branded merchandise can increase brand awareness, bring in new customers, improve customer loyalty, and boost sales.
Technology is constantly evolving and consumers' shopping behaviors are changing with it. The advances in technology have made people want things even quicker, appreciate environmentally friendly options more, and above all demand more convenience. For businesses, that means evolving retail models in an attempt to keep up with the quickly changing demands of customers. Especially for convenience stores, where technology could make or break a consumer's perception of the business.
While there are mixed emotions about going back to school, one thing is for sure, it means great business for you. Students are heading back to college, parents are back to school shopping, and your c-store should be preparing more than you think. This is especially true for c-stores that are in family neighborhoods and/or near a college. Ensuring parents and students get their morning coffee fix or mid day snacks means great business for c-stores. We have a few tips that will get you prepared...
Since the early 2000s, Amazon has been disrupting and challenging businesses in most consumer product and service industries. The ecommerce giant has single-handedly transformed the way that consumers choose to spend their money, find the products they want, and get the products to their homes. For some time, the businesses that have traditionally been able to rely on in-person traffic to drive sales felt safe from Amazon’s growth, but now that’s changing too. With developments such as the...
Large c-store chains are expanding and with big box stores like Walmart have recently expanded into the convenience store industry , the competition is getting even more intense. To keep attracting customers and driving profits for your store, you will have to do things differently to compete. As a small c-store owner, you may be wondering how you can compete with the c-store giants. We have a few tips that will ensure your customers will continue to pick your business over a large c-store...
Competition is heating up and not just among convenience stores, but with all retailers. Customers' demands have changed and providing access to quality products as quickly as possible is top priority. People are strapped for time and they appreciate the convenience of getting things they actually want and need easily, especially meals. Amazon's revenue may have increased by 38% in the last year, but what they are still unable to provide is fresh food ready to eat the moment a customer pays...
We’ve talked about the changes in the way c-store customers shop quite a few times. What you may not be aware of is the fact that in the past four years, overall consumer trips to any retail location have steadily declined. Even during the holiday quarters, trips are down three trips per household. While overall, studies show that these numbers are being driven by the ways that younger generations spend their money (or don’t spend their money), there is more that you should understand about...
While at first glance your store may appear clean, it may not be what your customers see. No matter the business, customers want to buy their products from a clean store. An unclean store goes beyond the physical appearance, it is the small things that matter too; such as the smell, under-stocked shelves, or poor staff appearance. The reality is: an unclean store will drive business away and decrease sales.
Make the best selling items easier to find
Business Owners should pay close attention to the latest trends. If you can predict the emerging trends, you can determine what business decisions you should make for the upcoming year. Summer is starting, and the latest trends are coming with it. There will likely be frequent stops at convenience stores to stock up on snacks and refuel. In-store sales have only continued to grow since 2002 and this summer will be no different. To help you anticipate what this summer has in store, we have put...
One of the best parts about operating a c-store is that they are universally recognized across the world as a place to pick up quick essentials. Chances are international customers shop at your convenience store or small grocery store every day. You might wonder how you can best serve them, and we’re here to help.
Age-Verification Solution TruAge to be Deployed by CDE Services, Inc., Expanding Access to Convenience Stores Nationwide Payment solutions provider CDE to implement TruAge, a proof-of-age solution developed by NACS and Conexxus to inhibit the sale of age-restricted products to minors
EBT Processor goEBT Adds Credit Processing, Smart Payment Terminals to Service Offering goEBT+ payment terminal application enables EBT, credit processing on one smart device
SNAP retailers are key access points to healthy, nutritious foods for SNAP recipients. USDA announced a $25M investment for SNAP healthy incentives. This will help SNAP retailers provide coupons, promotions, or special discounts on healthy items like fruits and vegetables for SNAP recipients.
Convenience stores have been upping their foodservice game over the last couple of years. In 2021, foodservice sales reached a record high of $43.2 billion in sales, and 20.5% increase from 2020.Convenience stores are evolving to stops for people to fuel not only their cars, but themselves too.
Grocers, convenience stores, and other specialty retailers could benefit from selling branded merchandise in-store. Selling branded merchandise can increase brand awareness, bring in new customers, improve customer loyalty, and boost sales.
Convenience stores have become popular stops for quick and convenient meals. Foodservice sales increased by 20.5% to $43.2 billion in 2021, yet 6 in 10 shoppers are not happy with the current selection of healthy foods.The post-pandemic world has brought an intense focus on physical health and well-being, as 70% of Americans are more conscious of their physical health post-pandemic, according to the New York Post.
C-store Dive summarized a recent Convenience Leaders Vision Group roundtable discussion in which the future of fuel was a hot topic. With federal funding increasing for electric vehicles and sales tripling in 2022, c-store owners are facing new challenges and looking for new ways to address this trend.
Convenience stores have been upping their foodservice game over the last couple of years. In 2021, foodservice sales reached a record high of $43.2 billion in sales, and 20.5% increase from 2020.Convenience stores are evolving to stops for people to fuel not only their cars, but themselves too.
Grocers, convenience stores, and other specialty retailers could benefit from selling branded merchandise in-store. Selling branded merchandise can increase brand awareness, bring in new customers, improve customer loyalty, and boost sales.
Convenience stores have become popular stops for quick and convenient meals. Foodservice sales increased by 20.5% to $43.2 billion in 2021, yet 6 in 10 shoppers are not happy with the current selection of healthy foods.The post-pandemic world has brought an intense focus on physical health and well-being, as 70% of Americans are more conscious of their physical health post-pandemic, according to the New York Post.
Grocers, convenience stores, and other specialty retailers could benefit from selling branded merchandise in-store. Selling branded merchandise can increase brand awareness, bring in new customers, improve customer loyalty, and boost sales.
C-stores experienced a 6.2% growth in in-store sales in 2022, a record high according to c-store news’ state of the industry report.This means that store owners should take a look at their in-store shopping experience and ensure that everything is running smoothly.
For c-store owners, grocers, and other specialty retailer the holidays usually bring in more customers, more sales, and an overall busier store. November and December are often notably busy times of year. C-store owners see an increase in travel which means more people stopping in for fuel or a quick snack and grocers have a boost in customers looking for items to make their favorite holiday meal. The months that follow might bring about some challenges for store owners like less foot traffic,...
Being an independent retailer can come with challenges. It may be more difficult to market your business in your community and stand out against the competition, luckily there are a few easy and inexpensive ways to familiarize local customers with your business.
Grocers, convenience stores, and other specialty retailers could benefit from selling branded merchandise in-store. Selling branded merchandise can increase brand awareness, bring in new customers, improve customer loyalty, and boost sales.
For c-store owners, grocers, and other specialty retailer the holidays usually bring in more customers, more sales, and an overall busier store. November and December are often notably busy times of year. C-store owners see an increase in travel which means more people stopping in for fuel or a quick snack and grocers have a boost in customers looking for items to make their favorite holiday meal. The months that follow might bring about some challenges for store owners like less foot traffic,...
Being an independent retailer can come with challenges. It may be more difficult to market your business in your community and stand out against the competition, luckily there are a few easy and inexpensive ways to familiarize local customers with your business.
If your store is experiencing high sales and low profits, you may need to re-evaluate your profit margins. Profit margin measures a retailer’s profit after subtracting cost from how much you sell the item for, if this number is positive then you are making money. As a business owner, you always want to maximize your profit margins so that you can maximize your revenue.
Food deserts are defined by the USDA as “low-income census tracts with a substantial number or share of residents with low levels of access to retail outlets selling healthy and affordable foods.” In food deserts it is extremely difficult for kids, families, and communities to access foods that promote health and strength. There are many ways to prevent food deserts, but the first step is increasing access to c-stores, grocery stores, supermarkets, bodegas, farmers markets, etc.
Farmers fuel food sustainability by using digital agriculture platforms that improve farming efficiency and optimize the food supply chain. Technology has been optimizing every area of our lives since the digital revolution began, so it only makes sense that this idea made its way into our food system. Here are some ways that digital agriculture can improve food sustainability…
EBT, the payment system for SNAP benefits, is available in more farmers markets than you may think. In fact, EBT is accepted in farmers markets in all 50 states! EBT being accepted in farmers markets provides a number of benefits for both farmers and SNAP recipients including…
SNAP retailers are key access points to healthy, nutritious foods for SNAP recipients. USDA announced a $25M investment for SNAP healthy incentives. This will help SNAP retailers provide coupons, promotions, or special discounts on healthy items like fruits and vegetables for SNAP recipients.
USDA’s SNAP-Ed program is an amazing resource for SNAP retailers as well as SNAP recipients. The program focuses on educating people on how to live a healthy life and how to make the most of their SNAP dollars, organizing nutrition education classes and social marketing campaigns, as well as takes initiative to improve government policies. While FNS provides resources and guidance on SNAP-Ed, states oversee running their own programs.
Food deserts are defined by the USDA as “low-income census tracts with a substantial number or share of residents with low levels of access to retail outlets selling healthy and affordable foods.” In food deserts it is extremely difficult for kids, families, and communities to access foods that promote health and strength. There are many ways to prevent food deserts, but the first step is increasing access to c-stores, grocery stores, supermarkets, bodegas, farmers markets, etc.
In honor of National Farm to School Month, let’s learn the importance of supporting adequate nutrition and balanced plates.
SNAP retailers can benefit from knowing what produce is in season. SNAP-Ed emphasizes the added benefits of buying seasonal produce and provides this resource for what produce is in season now.
The USDA announced that “low-income Florida residents recovering from Hurricane Ian could be eligible for assistance from the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)” on October 7th, 2022.
Louisiana announced an increase in SNAP benefits beginning October 1st, 2022 in response to increased cost of living. This is the second more recent increase, the first of which was on October 1st, 2021 and was the first reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) in 45 years.
SNAP spending reached an all-time high of $113.8 billion in fiscal year 2021, according to the USDA. This is largely due to recent economic challenges in the last few years and the expansion of SNAP benefits during the pandemic.
Age-Verification Solution TruAge to be Deployed by CDE Services, Inc., Expanding Access to Convenience Stores Nationwide Payment solutions provider CDE to implement TruAge, a proof-of-age solution developed by NACS and Conexxus to inhibit the sale of age-restricted products to minors
EBT Processor goEBT Adds Credit Processing, Smart Payment Terminals to Service Offering goEBT+ payment terminal application enables EBT, credit processing on one smart device
According to the Small Business Administration, the second leading cause of business failure is insufficient or delayed financial support. In many cases, this is brought about by a poor business credit score. If you are unaware, a business' credit score is similar to a personal credit score. A person's credit can be improved by paying loans on time and avoiding any reoccurring debt. Business credit is almost exactly the same with minor differences. In today's blog, we will discuss the...
A large part of gaining favoritism among legislation is bringing these officials to your level as a store owner and showing them how valuable your business is. In recent years, the value that C-stores provide to their community was lost in the eyes of legislators. Laws did not exist to protect the C-store industry from data breaches or loss of people's financial information. NACS is seeking better representation from legislators and government officials in the hopes of turning this around....
