7 minute read
A Legacy Like None Other
from CSN_0123
by ensembleiq
COVER STORY PAGE 34
FEATURES DEPARTMENTS
COVER STORY
34 Feeling the Pinch Inflation, supply chain issues and the ongoing labor shortage have c-store retailers and suppliers more pessimistic about this year’s business prospects.
E DITOR’S NOTE
3 From Troubles to Triumph Adaptability can be a game changer for c-store industry players in 2023.
SMALL OPERATOR
30 A Mixed Bag The convenience store industry’s small operators are keeping an eye on cross-channel competition in 2023, but are prepared to boost their bottom lines.
35 A Lukewarm Reception for 2023 C-store retailers are largely neutral about their business prospects this year.
37 Not So Great Expectations Inflation is pushing dollar sales up, but most retailers don’t expect considerable change in how much consumers will actually buy in the coming months.
46 Shifting Gears Despite economic headwinds, suppliers and distributors are excited about new opportunities in 2023.
26
VIEWPOINT
4 A Legacy Like None Other Don Zietlow is the humble genius behind Kwik Trip’s success.
12 CSNews Online
26 New Products
TWIC TALK
52 Empowering Diversity & Inclusion Through Your Company Culture A recent Convenience Store News webinar discussed how to set up organizations for success.
INSIDE THE CONSUMER MIND
70 Snacking: The All-Day Opportunity Consumers are shifting toward “hometainment” activities and away from traditional mealtimes.
INDUSTRY ROUNDUP
14 Convenience Retailers Continue to Explore New Markets
16 Parkland USA Names Industry Veteran as President 18 Fast Facts
20 Eye on Growth 22 Retailer Tidbits
24 Supplier Tidbits
14
TECHNOLOGY
48 The 2023 Technology Hit List Frictionless and mobile technologies top the list of priorities for c-store retailers in the new year.
48
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CONVENIENCE STORE NEWS AFFILIATIONS
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Convenience Store News (ISSN 0194-8733; USPS 515-950) is published 12 times per year, monthly, by EnsembleIQ, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60631. Subscription rates: Subscription rate in the United States: $125 one year; $230 two year; $14 single issue copy; Canada and Mexico: $150 one year; $270 two year; $16 single issue copy; Foreign: $170 one year; $325 two year; $16 single issue copy; Digital One year, digital $87; two year, $161. Periodical postage paid at Chicago, IL 60631, and additional mailing addresses. Copyright 2023 by EnsembleIQ. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Convenience Store News, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60631.
TOP VIEWED STORIES
1Casey’s Unwraps ‘24 Days of Casey’s Rewards’ From Dec. 1 through Dec. 24, Casey’s revealed surprise offers to members of the Casey’s Rewards program. Guests who participate in the program got to unwrap free and exclusive offers in the Casey’s app, including bonus points, buy-one-get-one offers, and a variety of candy, drinks and snacks.
2Sheetz Brings Back Holiday Coffee Program Starting Dec. 9, Sheetz Inc. offered customers one free selfserve coffee or Cup’occino each week. The offer was added weekly to each My Sheetz Rewardz member’s account every Friday through Dec. 31.
3Kum & Go to Close Most Walk-Up Stores The retailer closed four out of five of its fuel-free, urban c-store locations, as they no longer fit into the company’s long-term expansion plans. Kum & Go’s original walk-up store, located at the corner of Seventh and Locust streets in Des Moines, Iowa, will continue operations.
4
Couche-Tard Advances Customer-Focused Initiatives
During the second quarter of its 2023 fiscal year, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. expanded its data-driven assortment optimization work with a rollout to all categories in North America, President and CEO Brian Hannasch reported. The company is also preparing to expand its new loyalty program and smart checkout technology.
5
EG Group Adds New Pizza Restaurant Concept to Its Network
Two Ria’s Pizzeria locations opened in November. The new concept offers signature, specialty and breakfast pizzas whole or by the slice, as well as Ria’s Ninos (bite-size sweet or savory dough snacks) and Bolis (mini stromboli).
EXPERT VIEWPOINT
Solving the Biggest Convenience Store Maintenance Problems
Diversity in convenience store stock has multiple implications in terms of maintenance. The modern c-store, having so much to offer customers, needs to ensure that the store is continuously fit for purpose, writes Bryan Christiansen, founder and CEO of Limble CMMS.
Key steps to solve maintenance problems include having a thorough maintenance program that includes an exhaustive list of all store maintenance tasks and requirements; creating and carrying out stringent cleaning schedules; adopting technologies that fit c-stores’ specific maintenance issues and risk profile; and having a proactive maintenance regime that empowers employees regarding maintenance principles and their important role in it.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Scenes From the 2022 Convenience Store News Hall of Fame Gala
Present and past members of the convenience store industry gathered in Charlotte, N.C., for the 36th annual Convenience Store News Hall of Fame awards gala. Honored at this year’s event were Retailer Hall of Fame inductee Brian Hannasch, president and CEO of Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.; Supplier Hall of Fame inductee Brent Cotten, vice president of customer and industry affairs at The Hershey Co.; and Retailer Executive of the Year Doug Haugh, formerly president of Parkland USA.
For more exclusive stories, visit the Special Features section of csnews.com.
MOST VIEWED NEW PRODUCT
Hostess Bouncers
Hostess unveiled a new line of bite-sized snack cakes called Hostess Bouncers, offering mini variations of some of the company’s most beloved creations. These shareable treats, with creamy fillings, are available in three varieties: Glazed Twinkies, Glazed Chocolate Ding Dongs and Cinnamon Donettes. Each multipack box contains five packable, portable pouches with three Bouncers per pouch.
Hostess Brands LLC Lenexa, Kan. hostesscakes.com
