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when should you order holiday inventory?

The holiday season is a crucial time for retailers of all kinds. Whether you run a grocery store, a convenience store (c-store), or a specialty retail shop, planning your inventory for holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving is essential to meet customer demand, maximize profits, and ensure a smooth shopping experience. We know it is only September, but the holidays sneak up on you! Let's discuss the optimal timing for ordering holiday inventory to help you make the most of this festive season.

If you're a business owner looking to increase your customer base and boost sales, accepting EBT payments is a smart move. Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is a government program that provides assistance to low-income individuals and families, making it an essential part of many households' financial resources. By accepting EBT payments, you can tap into this market and create a more inclusive shopping experience for your customers. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the...

Ensuring food safety in convenience stores is key for store owners operating a foodservice option. We understand the importance of a clean and safe shopping environment, especially when it comes to food. We've gathered valuable insights from a recent article by NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) to provide you with the best practices to make your convenience store experience a healthy one.

Welcome, fellow store owners, to a revitalizing journey into transforming your healthy food offerings. Are you ready to boost your business by nourishing your customers? Let's dive into three data-backed strategies that will energize your store and delight your health-conscious clientele.

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.

Tidewater Seafood Shack

goEBT has helped a lot with business, this location has a lot of EBT customers and getting started with goEBT helped me grow the business.

Hawkins House of Burgers

At least 20% of the restaurant’s sales are generated from EBT customers, which has helped sustain Hawkins House of Burgers through COVID-19

Knicker Knacker Market

Through goEBT, Knicker Knacker Market was able to offer services for his customers that he originally could not.

Sr. Cliff's Texas Style Burritos

Working with goEBT for the past few years has made things easier because they don’t miss a beat when assisting their customers.

Roeser's Bakery

goEBT is just another way for Roeser's Bakery to take care of the people that have made his business so successful for over 100-years.

On July 11th, 2022, the USDA announced their P-EBT program, which is a partnership with 27 states and territories (and growing) that provides summer food benefits to eligible children. For years, the summertime has been a struggle for millions of families who rely heavily on the school system to feed their children throughout the year. Cindy Long, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator said “Child food benefits can bridge the gap and help families provide the nourishment their children...

Are you a store owner looking for a quick snapshot of the retailer application for SNAP? Our free EBT resources are exactly what you need if you are interested in applying to accept SNAP! Before you get started on the application take our SNAP retailer quiz to see if you qualify.

SNAP recipients come from a variety of backgrounds and situations. While we may think we know who uses SNAP, the reality is SNAP recipients are far more diverse than most people realize, and can include your friends, neighbors, family, coworkers, etc. SNAP users are more varied and a lot closer to home than you think, in fact...

SNAP EBT Fraud Mistakes Merchants Should Avoid

SNAP retailer requirements are strict, and keeping track of mistakes can be a complex process. Although SNAP fraud is relatively rare, failure to comply with program rules can result in severe consequences for your business, such as: Temporary or permanent disqualification from the program Monetary penalties and fines Criminal prosecution To help you navigate program rules, we’ve put together a list of common types of fraud and errors that you’ll want to avoid as a SNAP-authorized retailer.

SNAP Approved For Hot Foods for Hurricane Ida

Louisiana-based EBT merchants have now been authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for hot or prepared foods in the wake of Hurricane Ida. The waiver issued by the USDA for “hot food products prepared for immediate consumption” will apply to Louisiana retailers that currently accept EBT cards.

SNAP Benefits Increased In USDAs Thrifty Food Plan

On Monday, August 16, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result of this re-evaluation, the average SNAP benefit–excluding additional funds provided as part of COVID-19 pandemic relief–will increase beginning on October 1, 2021.

Now more than ever the American people will be turning to local businesses to meet their families’ nutritional needs. With the economic impact of COVID-19 the number of applicants for government assistance has doubled. As part of the U.S. government’s $2T stimulus package, an additional $15.5B has been allocated to the SNAP/EBT government benefits program.

About every five years, it is the government’s duty to pass a new Farm Bill that molds the foundation for food and agriculture, and other similar matters. Last month, in December, the 2018 Farm Bill was passed by the Senate and House. Soon after the President gave his signature, allowing it to become law. As a store owner, it is incredibly important to know what is being signed into law, for it can drastically affect your business.

Question: "Is there an alternative option to charge customers and accept food stamps when the system is down?" - Israel Jurado, Jurado Family Farms, Inc.

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-healthy-incentives-expanded-with-USDA-investment

c-stores-increasing-foodservice-sales-and-offerings

Branded Merch in C-stores and Grocery Stores

C-Store Trends: Improving Healthy Food Offering

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.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in consumer behavior and expectations. Customers are no longer solely focused on the products or services a company offers; they also want to align themselves with brands that share their values and actively contribute to social issues. This growing trend highlights the importance of supporting social causes as a means to attract and retain customers. Here are 5 reasons supporting social issues can draw more customers and why it has become a...

Store owners may not realize the impact litter has on customer perception and the environment. While factors such as quality products, excellent customer service, and competitive pricing are widely recognized as crucial elements, one aspect that is often overlooked is the store itself. The presence of litter can significantly influence how customers perceive your store, making it essential for businesses to prioritize cleanliness and maintain a positive image. In this blog post, store owners...

Convenience stores, groceries, and bodegas are known for snack stops. Whether your store attracts road trip snackers or city dwellers looking for a late-night snack from your bodega or grocery store, snacking is a key category for business. Even more so the last couple of years with consumer snacking being on the rise.

Foodservice for convenience stores grew in 2022 and brought in more profit for business owners. In order to keep up with changing customer needs, it is important to make changes to your menu every once in a while. Food trends are constantly changing, so be sure to ask your customers what they’d like to see so you can best cater your offerings to your store’s audience. Here are a few food trends to help you refresh your store's food menu…

Accepting-ebt-at-your-store-know-your-snap-customers

Accepting EBT at your store has many benefits for your business. A recent Supermarket News article cited “SNAP households represent 24% of U.S. consumer goods spend.” Opening your doors to this new market can increase your revenue and your store’s foot traffic.

The requirements to accept EBT payments in your store can be confusing for owners. Seeing if you qualify to be a SNAP retailer, the application process, and even the reauthorization process for existing retailers can be time-consuming and difficult for busy store owners. Make the process a little easier with this quick, easy overview of how to accept EBT payments in your store…

food-deserts-and-how-to-increase-access-to-foods

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.

How-Farmers-Leverage-Digital-Agriculture-to-Improve-Food-Sustainability

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…

SNAP-Ed_Program_Tips_For_Retailers_and_Commmunities

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.

usda-myplate-importance-of-a-balanced-plate

In honor of National Farm to School Month, let’s learn the importance of supporting adequate nutrition and balanced plates.

SNAP customers shop can use their EBT cards to purchase healthy food items from convenience stores, grocery stores, quick service restaurants (in states that operate an RMP), bodegas, and other specialty retailers. What you may not know is SNAP customers can bring in a new revenue stream to your business.

SNAP-For-Restaurants-3-Things-You-Need-to-Know

Learn how to accept EBT payments at your restaurant. SNAP recipients can use their EBT cards to purchase hot/prepared meals from restaurants with the Restaurant Meals Program through Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). This program is a great initiative from FNS that increases access to nutritionally balanced, prepared meals. Here are 3 of your questions, answered…

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....

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Merchant Spotlight

Tidewater Seafood Shack

Hawkins House of Burgers

Knicker Knacker Market

Sr. Cliff's Texas Style Burritos

Roeser's Bakery

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