TWIC Shows What C-store Channel Can Do to Accelerate Change

TWIC Shows What C-store Channel Can Do to Accelerate Change

Each year, more women and companies rise up to advance gender equity

DID YOU KNOW that since 2014, more than 400 convenience industry women have been recognized in Convenience Store News’ Top Women in Convenience (TWIC) awards program?

These accomplished female leaders have included retailers, suppliers and wholesalers. They’ve ranged from c-suite executives to store managers. They’ve represented every professional discipline of the industry, from merchandising and marketing, to technology, human resources, and national and regional sales managers.

In Chicago last October, 74 exceptional women who made a positive impact on the convenience store industry were honored at our 2021 TWIC Awards Gala. More than 300 industry people turned out to honor these female leaders. Attendance included the CEOs of the three largest c-store retail chains, along with scores of other executive leaders from the retailer and supplier sides of the business. You’d be hard-pressed to find another issue that has such enthusiastic support from the entire convenience industry.

As we open nominations for our 2022 TWIC awards, we have another exciting announcement to make. This year, to recognize the companies that have committed to gender equality and the promotion of female leaders, CSNews is proud to launch the TWIC Corporate Empowerment Award. The criteria for this new award was established by the TWIC Advisory Board, which consists of key longtime program sponsors and the five 2021 TWIC Women of the Year.

The TWIC Corporate Empowerment Award winner will be the retail company that most effectively champions for women in their networks, workplaces and communities. It will be an organization that paves the road to empower women in leadership roles. It will be a champion for the inclusion of women in the goals and vision of the enterprise. Examples include advancements in board membership, promotions leading to senior management positions, and relevant professional development.

This award is currently open for nominations. To nominate your company, simply answer the questions on the nomination form, which can be found at csnews. com. The deadline for nominations is April 1. The winner will be notified by the end of May and be prominently recognized in the August issue of CSNews. The award will be presented at the 2022 TWIC Awards Gala in Las Vegas on Oct. 2.

For comments, please contact Don Longo, Editorial Director, at (201) 855-7606 or dlongo@ensembleiq.com.

EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS (2013-2022)

2021 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Infographics, June 2021 2018 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Editorial Use of Data, June 2017 2013 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Best Single Issue, October 2012 2013 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Profile, August 2012

2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Bronze, Best Original Research, June 2015 2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Silver, Best Original Research, June 2015 2015 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Silver, Best Profile (long form), February 2014 2015 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best Special Supplement, November 2014 Silver, Best Profile (long form), February 2014 2013 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Bronze, Best Editorial/Commentary, July 2012 2020 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Series of Articles, September 2019 2018 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Website Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2017 Business to Business, Editorial Use of Data, June 2017 2017 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine Winner, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, May 2017 Honorable Mention, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, June 2016 2016 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2015 Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, August 2015 2015 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, February 2014 2014 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2013 Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, February 2013 2013 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2012

2020 Trade Association Business Publications Intl. Tabbie Awards Honorable Mention, Best Single Issue, September 2019 2016 Trade Association Business Publications Intl. Tabbie Awards Silver, Front Cover Illustration, June 2015 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Laura Aufleger

OnCue Express

Ray Johnson

Speedee Mart

Chad Beck Core-Mark

Edward Davidson

Ed Davidson & Associates (7-Eleven Inc., retired)

Robert Falciani

ExtraMile Convenience Stores

Jim Hachtel

Eby-Brown Co.

Chris Hartman

Rutter’s

Ruth Ann Lilly

GPM Investments LLC

Vito Maurici

McLane Co. Inc.

Matt Paduano

Lakeport Markets

Jonathan Polansky Plaid Pantries Inc.

Greg Scriver Kwik Trip Inc.

Roy Strasburger

StrasGlobal

COVER STORY 28

22

FEATURES

COVER STORY

28 The DEI Imperative A diverse, equitable and inclusive convenience store industry is more important than ever.

FEATURE

38 Data Drives Leading C-store Suppliers Seventeen companies earn recognition in this year’s Category Captains awards.

2022

38 77

DEPARTMENTS

VIEWPOINT

3 TWIC Shows What C-store Channel Can Do to Accelerate Change Each year, more women and companies rise up to advance gender equity.

8 CSNews Online

18 New Products

SMALL OPERATOR

22 Overcoming Labor Challenges Focusing on what employees seek most beyond money can be a smart play for small operators.

NEW HORIZONS

73 Same Mission, New Name Network of Executive Women is now NextUp.

STORE SPOTLIGHT

77 Built for High Traffic QuikTrip’s new remote travel center concept targets geographies with strong truck traffic.

INSIDE THE CONSUMER MIND

98 Finding Balance in Beverages Consumers seek moderation as they celebrate the simple pleasures of life.

18

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP

10 Convenience Store Retailers Set Forth 2022 Strategic Plans 12 7-Eleven Inc. & Seven-Eleven Japan Form New Venture

14 Fast Facts

14 Eye on Growth 16 Retailer Tidbits

16 Supplier Tidbits

TECHNOLOGY

68 The Wonders of Workforce Management Today’s technology enables convenience stores to do more with less store-level staff.

12

CATEGORY MANAGEMENT

FOODSERVICE

54 Making a Grab for Eat-at-Home Sales Consumers are increasingly interested in take-home meals and family-size portions.

TOBACCO

62 Another Active Year Taxes, flavor bans and the future of alternative tobacco products are still on the table.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

65 The Ins & Outs of Alcohol Delivery Everything c-store retailers need to know before entering this burgeoning market.

65

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BRAND MANAGEMENT Vice President/Group Brand Director Paula Lashinsky (917) 446-4117 plashinsky@ensembleiq.com EDITORIAL Editorial Director Don Longo (201) 855-7606 dlongo@ensembleiq.com Editor-in-Chief Linda Lisanti (201) 855-7608 llisanti@ensembleiq.com Senior News Editor Melissa Kress (201) 855-7618 mkress@ensembleiq.com Senior Editor Angela Hanson (201) 855-7619 ahanson@ensembleiq.com Managing Editor Danielle Romano (201) 855-7604 dromano@ensembleiq.com Contributing Editor Renée M. Covino (303) 741-3377 reneek@aol.com Contributing Editor Tammy Mastroberte (201) 280-2614 tmastroberte@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES & BUSINESS Associate Brand Director & Northeast Sales Manager Rachel McGaffigan (774) 212-6455 rmcgaffigan@ensembleiq.com Associate Brand Director & Western Sales Manager Ron Lowy (330) 840-9557 rlowy@ensembleiq.com Associate Publisher & Midwest Sales Manager Kelly Fischer (773) 992-4464 kfischer@ensembleiq.com Account Executive & Classified Advertising Terry Kanganis (201) 855-7615 tkanganis@ensembleiq.com Classified Production Manager Mary Beth Medley (856) 809-0050 marybeth@marybethmedley.com AUDIENCE List Rental MeritDirect (914) 309-3378 Marie Briganti Subscriber Services/Customer Care contact@csnews.com TOLL-FREE: (877) 687-7321 FAX: (888) 520-3608 PROJECT MANAGEMENT/PRODUCTION/ART Creative Director Colette Magliaro (973) 607-1320 cmagliaro@ensembleiq.com Advertising/Production Manager Ed Ward (773) 992-4418 eward@ensembleiq.com Art Director Lauren DiMeo (973) 607-1321 ldimeo@ensembleiq.com

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