C-stores Moving to Forefront of Business Innovation

C-stores Moving to Forefront of Business Innovation

Convenience retailers are evolving successfully to meet the post-pandemic future

A YEAR AGO, the nation’s convenience retailers were facing an uncertain future. Fuel sales had cratered due to the shutdowns enacted nationwide to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Store traffic was down, and foodservice sales were hit particularly hard by pandemic safety restrictions. Yet, I pointed out then that innovation would carry retailers through the crisis.

A year later, business is improving for most c-store retailers, although you cannot say things are back to normal. Despite the availability of vaccines that have proven to be extremely effective against the COVID-19 virus and its variants, infection rates have risen in many regions of the country, and some areas are dealing with a return to difficult-to-enforce mask mandates.

Nevertheless, if innovation got the industry through the nadir of last year’s business conditions, I’m convinced it will do likewise in the coming year. Our cover story (see page 32) proves that point. The convenience channel’s ability to innovate was especially visible during the pandemic.

Scott Hartman, president and CEO of Rutter’s, told me that the industry did things faster and better than most any other business during COVID-19. He pointed to the changes in regulations, customer habits, and supply chain challenges that faced the industry. “While other industries simply closed, limited hours, cut out inside seating and sales, we adjusted in ways many thought impossible. Not only did we step up and stay open, but we were a huge winner for our customers and investors,” Hartman noted.

The pandemic sped up testing and implementation of technology, too. Check out the 2021 Convenience Store News Technology Study (page 108) to see how retailers are investing their tech dollars today and what they plan to focus on in the near future.

From making pandemic-inspired menu changes to utilizing new technology, the nation’s top food-forward convenience retailers also demonstrated remarkable innovation over the past year. Being able to turn on a dime and succeed, during a global pandemic, is the definition of innovation. Check out this year’s CSNews Foodservice Innovators Awards winners and read how they did it (page 76).

And although dealt enormous supply chain challenges that continue today, industry suppliers rose to the occasion as well. Brand marketers correctly anticipated that consumers’ thirst for healthier products would only increase during the pandemic. See the innovation exhibited by the 44 products recognized in our 25th annual Best New Products Awards (page 52).

As the COVID-19 cloud clears — and operators assess the new normal — the c-store industry stands poised to lead the future of retail, both in-store and on the forecourt.

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

EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS (2013-2021)

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

Brett Atherton

Bolla Management

Laura Aufleger OnCue Express

Rick Crawford

Green Valley Grocery

Edward Davidson

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

Jim Hachtel

Eby-Brown Co.

Chris Hartman

Rutter’s

Ray Johnson Speedee Mart

Jack Lewis

GPM Midwest

Robert Falciani

ExtraMile Convenience Stores

Ruth Ann Lilly

GPM Investments

Vito Maurici

McLane Co. Inc.

Matt Paduano

Lakeport Markets

Jonathan Polonsky Plaid Pantries Inc.

Greg Scriver Kwik Trip Inc.

Bill Stein Core-Mark

Roy Strasburger

StrasGlobal

COVER STORY PAGE 32

FEATURES

COVER STORY

32 Stepping Up The convenience channel has long been criticized for being a follower rather than a leader when it comes to innovation, but it stands poised to lead once the COVID cloud clears.

FEATURE

52 A Healthy Dose of Innovation Health and wellness is a common theme among this year’s Best New Products Awards winners.

FEATURE

116 The NACS Show Is Back The convenience store industry’s premier expo is ready to resume course. DEPARTMENTS

VIEWPOINT

3 C-stores Moving to Forefront of Business Innovation Convenience retailers are evolving successfully to meet the post-pandemic future.

8 CSNews Online

18 New Products

SMALL OPERATOR

25 The Art of the Steal: Part 1 Minimize employee theft by letting your staff know that you’re paying attention to the details.

NEW HORIZONS

120 The Myth of the Critical Female Boss Banishing this stereotype is a key step to advancing women to leadership roles.

52

STORE SPOTLIGHT

122 Foodservice First FriendShip Kitchen is making an impact in the competitive Columbus market.

INSIDE THE CONSUMER MIND

146 Serving the Customer Fueled by the pandemic, the world of c-store services has significantly expanded.

10

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP

10 Convenience & Fuel Retailers Begin to See Impact of Outdoor EMV Liability Shift 12 U.S. Senate Passes $1T Infrastructure Bill

14 Eye on Growth 14 Fast Facts

16 Retailer Tidbits

16 Supplier Tidbits

TECHNOLOGY

108 Putting Technology in the Forefront Retailers are making plans to increase their tech investments and improve everything from data security to the customer experience.

98

CATEGORY MANAGEMENT

FOODSERVICE

76 Overcoming Adversity With Innovation For a third time, Rutter’s leads this year’s slate of Foodservice Innovators Awards winners.

FOODSERVICE

84 Barbecue Trends The protein-driven category continues to innovate into new formats and flavors.

TOBACCO

88 Oral Testimony C-stores can do more to elevate modern oral products to their full backbar potential.

GROCERY

98 Remaining Relevant The grocery categories at c-stores benefited from consumers’ pandemic-influenced shopping shifts, but can the momentum last?

CBD

102 CBD in the C-store While product popularity continues to shift, c-stores are still primed to benefit from this category.

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CORPORATE OFFICERS Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Litterick Jane Volland

Chief Innovation Officer

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