Friday, September 2, 2011
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Monday, August 29, 2011
Sheetz CEO Gets Rock Star Treatment at New Chambersburg area store
Stan Sheetz laughs at the notion of being called a celebrity. For someone who doesn't claim to be a celebrity, the president and CEO of the Sheetz convenience store chain sure has a lot of fans.
Customers eagerly waited to get T-shirts signed or have their picture taken with him during the grand opening of the chain's 400th store Thursday in Chambersburg.
"I'm not a celebrity," Sheetz said. "(But) it seems that way. I'm flattered by it."
About 200 to 250 people were on hand for the opening of the new Sheetz at Wayne and Kriner roads in Guilford Township.
Shortly after the store opened, there was a line of people waiting to talk to Stan Sheetz or get a shirt signed.
Brenda Nenninger, Waynesboro, stood outside in the steady rain for a chance to tell him about an idea for a new location.
"He's a very pleasant person," Nenninger said. "I asked about putting another location down in Blue Ridge Summit. I think it's a good location. I think it would make that place hop."
A request for a new location is one of the things Stan Sheetz hears the most when talking with customers.
"Some tell me where to build. Some tell me stories about their experiences. Some tell me about great ideas for new food items," he said. "Some just say 'Thank you.'"
Nancy Cline got a T-shirt signed for her grandson. She was off work Thursday and waited outside the store for the 11 a.m. opening.
"I've been here since 6 o'clock this morning," she said. "To meet him, that's something else."
Penny Williams brought her two sons, Dakota and Andrew, to the opening. The two boys had their shirts signed while their mother snapped pictures with her cell phone.
"Since we're from Texas, Sheetz is a new thing for us," she said.
The Sheetz name is well-known in the mid-Atlantic region, especially in central Pennsylvania, where the privately owned family company is headquartered.
It took 31 years after its founding in 1952 by Bob Sheetz to reach 100 locations. Within another 28 years, the Altoona-based company grew to 400 stores.
"It's just one of those milestones. It's more a result of our people continuing to make the organization better," Stan Sheetz said. "We plan to open 35 to 40 new stores a year. Obviously, we'll hit 500 in a couple more years, but our goal is to take care of our customers."
He said the secret to the company's success over time is its employees.
"I have to think it's our people. We spend a lot of time trying to find the right people to work in our stores. Once we find them, they stay with us."
After employees cut the ribbon to the store and Stan Sheetz presented a check to the Special Olympics organization, customers began pouring in. Food orders quickly began buzzing over the store speakers.
Customers began lining up as early as 6 p.m. Wednesday for the 11 a.m. opening on Thursday, sleeping on the concrete or in lawn chairs. The first 50 people in line received a free Sheetz gift card.
David Wynkoop, Waynesboro, was the first person in line when the store opened. He waited about 17 hours for the store to open, getting only 20 minutes of sleep.
"I like Sheetz, but for me this was an experience of a lifetime and I wanted to see if I could do it," he said.
He immediately went inside and bought two hot dogs.
"There ain't nothing like a Sheetz hot dog," Wynkoop said.
Charles Bonner, second in line, also waited since around 6 p.m. Wednesday. He did not get any sleep.
"The first few hours were kind of rough, but once they got the coffee going, it perked up a bit," Bonner said.
http://goo.gl/M06Rt
Discussion
Customers eagerly waited to get T-shirts signed or have their picture taken with him during the grand opening of the chain's 400th store Thursday in Chambersburg.
"I'm not a celebrity," Sheetz said. "(But) it seems that way. I'm flattered by it."
About 200 to 250 people were on hand for the opening of the new Sheetz at Wayne and Kriner roads in Guilford Township.
Shortly after the store opened, there was a line of people waiting to talk to Stan Sheetz or get a shirt signed.
Brenda Nenninger, Waynesboro, stood outside in the steady rain for a chance to tell him about an idea for a new location.
"He's a very pleasant person," Nenninger said. "I asked about putting another location down in Blue Ridge Summit. I think it's a good location. I think it would make that place hop."
A request for a new location is one of the things Stan Sheetz hears the most when talking with customers.
"Some tell me where to build. Some tell me stories about their experiences. Some tell me about great ideas for new food items," he said. "Some just say 'Thank you.'"
Nancy Cline got a T-shirt signed for her grandson. She was off work Thursday and waited outside the store for the 11 a.m. opening.
"I've been here since 6 o'clock this morning," she said. "To meet him, that's something else."
Penny Williams brought her two sons, Dakota and Andrew, to the opening. The two boys had their shirts signed while their mother snapped pictures with her cell phone.
"Since we're from Texas, Sheetz is a new thing for us," she said.
The Sheetz name is well-known in the mid-Atlantic region, especially in central Pennsylvania, where the privately owned family company is headquartered.
It took 31 years after its founding in 1952 by Bob Sheetz to reach 100 locations. Within another 28 years, the Altoona-based company grew to 400 stores.
"It's just one of those milestones. It's more a result of our people continuing to make the organization better," Stan Sheetz said. "We plan to open 35 to 40 new stores a year. Obviously, we'll hit 500 in a couple more years, but our goal is to take care of our customers."
He said the secret to the company's success over time is its employees.
"I have to think it's our people. We spend a lot of time trying to find the right people to work in our stores. Once we find them, they stay with us."
After employees cut the ribbon to the store and Stan Sheetz presented a check to the Special Olympics organization, customers began pouring in. Food orders quickly began buzzing over the store speakers.
Customers began lining up as early as 6 p.m. Wednesday for the 11 a.m. opening on Thursday, sleeping on the concrete or in lawn chairs. The first 50 people in line received a free Sheetz gift card.
David Wynkoop, Waynesboro, was the first person in line when the store opened. He waited about 17 hours for the store to open, getting only 20 minutes of sleep.
"I like Sheetz, but for me this was an experience of a lifetime and I wanted to see if I could do it," he said.
He immediately went inside and bought two hot dogs.
"There ain't nothing like a Sheetz hot dog," Wynkoop said.
Charles Bonner, second in line, also waited since around 6 p.m. Wednesday. He did not get any sleep.
"The first few hours were kind of rough, but once they got the coffee going, it perked up a bit," Bonner said.
http://goo.gl/M06Rt
Discussion
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Fresh food could last for years without refrigeration!
According to a recent report in The (London) Sunday Times, researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a naturally-occurring compound – called ‘bisin’ – which can destroy the bacteria that cause the rotting of meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.
The researchers have reported that ‘bisin’ is essentially a preservative which reduces the growth of bacteria - including E. coli, salmonella and listeria – and can, thus, help food stay fresh for more than a year, without refrigeration.
Revealing that ‘bisin’ has been discovered from a culture of a harmless bacteria - Bifodobacterium longum, which is commonly found in the human gut -, the researchers said that it would be safe to consume foods treated with the preservative long after they were bought. However, since the decomposition process of fruits and vegetables is different, the agent cannot prevent them from rotting.
Noting that the discovery of ‘bisin’ in effectively preventing the rotting of foods will bring down the 20 million tonnes of food waste thrown out in the UK every year, the researchers said that it is likely that foods like milk, sausages and sandwiches containing the agent could hit store shelves within the next three years.
Stating that bisin “seems to be much better than anything which has gone before,” Dr Dan O’Sullivan - an Irish microbiologist who works at the university, and accidentally discovered the agent while examining a culture of bacteria found in the human intestine – said: “It doesn’t compromise nutrient quality – we are not adding a chemical, we are adding a natural ingredient.”
The researchers have reported that ‘bisin’ is essentially a preservative which reduces the growth of bacteria - including E. coli, salmonella and listeria – and can, thus, help food stay fresh for more than a year, without refrigeration.
Revealing that ‘bisin’ has been discovered from a culture of a harmless bacteria - Bifodobacterium longum, which is commonly found in the human gut -, the researchers said that it would be safe to consume foods treated with the preservative long after they were bought. However, since the decomposition process of fruits and vegetables is different, the agent cannot prevent them from rotting.
Noting that the discovery of ‘bisin’ in effectively preventing the rotting of foods will bring down the 20 million tonnes of food waste thrown out in the UK every year, the researchers said that it is likely that foods like milk, sausages and sandwiches containing the agent could hit store shelves within the next three years.
Stating that bisin “seems to be much better than anything which has gone before,” Dr Dan O’Sullivan - an Irish microbiologist who works at the university, and accidentally discovered the agent while examining a culture of bacteria found in the human intestine – said: “It doesn’t compromise nutrient quality – we are not adding a chemical, we are adding a natural ingredient.”
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The Way Out of this Dismal Economy
This past week we had the THRILL of riding the DJIA down a pretty steep incline, dropping 513 in 8 hours. It would have been a rush if it was a roller coaster moving that quickly. And this was outdone today with another drop by over 600 points in the Dow-Jones average.
“These are times that try men’s souls,” Thomas Paine once wrote.
Whether we remain in the land of the free and the home of the brave or become an expat in an attempt to avoid these volatile times, there is stability. There is Hope. There is a bright future for us.
Yes, hope springs eternal.
What matters is what is inside you, not what happens on Wall Street. You are much more than cars, large houses and clothes. “You have been fearfully and wonderfully made,” as the good book says.
You can cry out like Chicken Little about the “Sky is falling.” It seems many of our leaders in Washington have taken this position. They seem to run after one symptom, then another. If we all painted our houses green, a re-enactment of the citizens of Oz running to the wizard because “He’ll know what to do” would be in order.
You see how well our political leaders are able to control the situation.
So, rather than depending on the manure on the banks of the Potomac, why not take care of things where you are?
My grandparents owned a small convenience – grocery store for several decades. In fact, the building and the business remain, although it is different owners now. During the Great Depression, my grandparents took care of the neighborhood in many ways. For instance, they had accounts and when their neighbors did not have the money to pay for their food that week, it was charged to their account.
For years afterwards, and up through the 1950s, my grandparents customers would come in to make their weekly payment on their account.
It’s no different today. In fact, this is one of the ways you can beat Wal-Mart every day of the week. Since your convenience store is a part of the community, you take care of the community. Wal-Mart can take care of Bentonville – you take care of YOU-ville.
Will you have a bank book as large as the big box stores doing this? Probably not. But, then, your business is not about you – it’s about your customers. In fact, if you take care of your customers in this fashion, you’ll never have another customer – you’ll only have clients!
We’ve lived through a tough ten years or so. The next ten years may make the last ten seem like a calm before the store. During these years we have realized that nothing outside of ourselves and our own efforts can be depended upon. Washington and the politicians cannot. Businesses the size of General Motors and Chrysler combined cannot. Bank or America and Lehman Brothers cannot. US Army Core of Engineers cannot.
Only we can.
The only question that remains is whether you will sit, watch, shake your head and reflect that “It isn’t what it used to be” or will you take the economy – the only economy that affects you and the only economy you have any control over – and make a difference.
By doing so, you’ll become more successful than you ever dreamed possible, because your thoughts, words and actions will reflect one theme to your clients – that of “You Are Loved.”
Never forget the three ingredients that football coach Lou Holtz says about all successful teams. They answer YES to the following three questions:
- Can I trust You?
- Do You Care About Me?
- Are You Committed to Excellence?
Comment on this post
“These are times that try men’s souls,” Thomas Paine once wrote.
Whether we remain in the land of the free and the home of the brave or become an expat in an attempt to avoid these volatile times, there is stability. There is Hope. There is a bright future for us.
Yes, hope springs eternal.
What matters is what is inside you, not what happens on Wall Street. You are much more than cars, large houses and clothes. “You have been fearfully and wonderfully made,” as the good book says.
You can cry out like Chicken Little about the “Sky is falling.” It seems many of our leaders in Washington have taken this position. They seem to run after one symptom, then another. If we all painted our houses green, a re-enactment of the citizens of Oz running to the wizard because “He’ll know what to do” would be in order.
You see how well our political leaders are able to control the situation.
So, rather than depending on the manure on the banks of the Potomac, why not take care of things where you are?
My grandparents owned a small convenience – grocery store for several decades. In fact, the building and the business remain, although it is different owners now. During the Great Depression, my grandparents took care of the neighborhood in many ways. For instance, they had accounts and when their neighbors did not have the money to pay for their food that week, it was charged to their account.
For years afterwards, and up through the 1950s, my grandparents customers would come in to make their weekly payment on their account.
It’s no different today. In fact, this is one of the ways you can beat Wal-Mart every day of the week. Since your convenience store is a part of the community, you take care of the community. Wal-Mart can take care of Bentonville – you take care of YOU-ville.
Will you have a bank book as large as the big box stores doing this? Probably not. But, then, your business is not about you – it’s about your customers. In fact, if you take care of your customers in this fashion, you’ll never have another customer – you’ll only have clients!
We’ve lived through a tough ten years or so. The next ten years may make the last ten seem like a calm before the store. During these years we have realized that nothing outside of ourselves and our own efforts can be depended upon. Washington and the politicians cannot. Businesses the size of General Motors and Chrysler combined cannot. Bank or America and Lehman Brothers cannot. US Army Core of Engineers cannot.
Only we can.
The only question that remains is whether you will sit, watch, shake your head and reflect that “It isn’t what it used to be” or will you take the economy – the only economy that affects you and the only economy you have any control over – and make a difference.
By doing so, you’ll become more successful than you ever dreamed possible, because your thoughts, words and actions will reflect one theme to your clients – that of “You Are Loved.”
Never forget the three ingredients that football coach Lou Holtz says about all successful teams. They answer YES to the following three questions:
- Can I trust You?
- Do You Care About Me?
- Are You Committed to Excellence?
Comment on this post
Monday, August 1, 2011
NYACS Day at the Races!
Time: August 3, 2011 all day
Location: Saratoga NY
Event Type: scholarship, foundation
Organized By: Denny McMichael
'NYACS DAY AT THE RACES' IS NEXT WEEK
Tickets are still available for the annual NYACS Day at the Races benefiting the NYACS Scholarship Foundation. It's next Wednesday, August 3rd at Saratoga Race Course. If you want to share this relaxing, enjoyable summertime event with NYACS colleagues, don't delay. Sign up now using the link below.
Register Now
Location: Saratoga NY
Event Type: scholarship, foundation
Organized By: Denny McMichael
'NYACS DAY AT THE RACES' IS NEXT WEEK
Tickets are still available for the annual NYACS Day at the Races benefiting the NYACS Scholarship Foundation. It's next Wednesday, August 3rd at Saratoga Race Course. If you want to share this relaxing, enjoyable summertime event with NYACS colleagues, don't delay. Sign up now using the link below.
Register Now
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Dean Foods Reaches Agreement With Southeast Dairy Farmers
Dean Foods Co. has reached an agreement to settle litigation brought on behalf of a class of dairy farmers in various Southeastern states. The case had been scheduled for trial beginning in August.
Under the proposed settlement agreement, which is pending approval by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Dean Foods will pay a total of $140 million over a period of four to five years into a fund that will be available for distribution to dairy farmer class members in a number of Southeastern states.
Dean Foods will make an initial payment of $60 million upon preliminary approval of the agreement by the Court, and will make subsequent payments of $20 million in each of the following four years on the anniversary of the final approval date. "We continue to be confident that we have operated lawfully and fairly at all times in the Southeast," said Gregg Engles, company chairman and chief executive officer. "We believe this settlement is in the best interest of our shareholders, employees, customers and consumers. Settling this case allows us to focus on the business challenges that we face, and to continue to take costs out of our operations while avoiding the expense, uncertainty and distraction of a protracted litigation and the likelihood of a lengthy appeals process.
Under the proposed settlement agreement, which is pending approval by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Dean Foods will pay a total of $140 million over a period of four to five years into a fund that will be available for distribution to dairy farmer class members in a number of Southeastern states.
Dean Foods will make an initial payment of $60 million upon preliminary approval of the agreement by the Court, and will make subsequent payments of $20 million in each of the following four years on the anniversary of the final approval date. "We continue to be confident that we have operated lawfully and fairly at all times in the Southeast," said Gregg Engles, company chairman and chief executive officer. "We believe this settlement is in the best interest of our shareholders, employees, customers and consumers. Settling this case allows us to focus on the business challenges that we face, and to continue to take costs out of our operations while avoiding the expense, uncertainty and distraction of a protracted litigation and the likelihood of a lengthy appeals process.
Friday, July 15, 2011
7-Eleven Undertakes its Fastest Store Renovation Ever
Retailer Upgrades More than 1,000 Stores on East Coast Launches ‘More in Store’ Marketing Campaign
Dallas (July 13, 2011) – 7-Eleven, Inc. wants residents in the greater New York City, Northern and Central New Jersey, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas to come see what they’ve been up to for the last few months.
The retailer has undergone its fastest store-renovation effort ever, significantly upgrading more than 1,000 of its 7-Eleven® stores on the East Coast.
The whirlwind store-remodeling ramped up in March, when the convenience retailer added revamped coffee bars, hot-foods equipment and, in some cases, updating stores’ interiors with new walls, floors, ceilings, lighting and fixtures. It’s all part of a campaign to present a consistent and fresh customer experience in each of its stores in these markets.
The four-month construction schedule was somewhat of a logistical marvel. Most stores remained open during the remodeling process, with each store upgrade taking no more than five days – actually, nights to avoid the heavier customer-traffic periods during the day. The schedule called for 60 stores to be renovated each week. In addition to various equipment improvements at 1,000-plus stores, 7-Eleven replaced floors, repaved parking lots or upgraded the exteriors of another 550 stores.
Some stores already had added the hot foods program with new ovens and display cases, the expanded coffee bars or both, while others were adding all these new elements at once. Each renovation was planned to ensure continuity in look, product offering and convenience store-to-store.
While the construction project was underway, 7-Eleven employees in the affected stores received additional customer-service training to enhance their guests’ overall experience.
“We want to present one updated and refreshed store face to our guests in these markets, and offer a quality alternative to fast-food restaurants, which includes expanded fresh-food selections, hot foods and a new coffee island with dispensers that ensure high quality at every location,” said Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, senior vice president of merchandising, marketing and logistics.
To let consumers know that there’s a “new” 7-Eleven in town, the company is kicking off a media blitz this month that includes television and radio spots, outdoor and online advertising and newspaper ads for free or fresh and hot foods offerings. Media messages convey that 7-Eleven stores are good not only for snacks and variety, but can be meal destinations for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The colorful “More in Store” campaign features larger-than-life beauty shots of fresh foods like sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit, pizza, chicken wings, muffins and iced coffee. Print and outdoor headlines like “More of What You’d Never Expect,” “We A.M. to Please,” “Shame on the Same Ol’,” “We’ve Raised the Bar on the Coffee Bar” and “Give Your Tastebuds the VIP Treatment” were written to entice consumers to visit 7-Eleven stores to see and taste the difference.
The company is considering store-remodel programs in other parts of the U.S.
About 7-Eleven, Inc.
7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 8,600 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are approximately 41,500 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2010, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales close to $63 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Forbes magazine’s 2011 list of Top Franchises for the Money; #4 spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 2009, #3 in Forbes magazine’s Top 20 Franchises to Start, and #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies. Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven in its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven received the 2010 Retailer of the Year honor from PL Buyer because of the company's private-label brand initiative. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.
Contact:
7-Eleven, Inc.
Margaret Chabris
972-828-7285
margaret.chabris@7-11.com
Dallas (July 13, 2011) – 7-Eleven, Inc. wants residents in the greater New York City, Northern and Central New Jersey, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas to come see what they’ve been up to for the last few months.
The retailer has undergone its fastest store-renovation effort ever, significantly upgrading more than 1,000 of its 7-Eleven® stores on the East Coast.
The whirlwind store-remodeling ramped up in March, when the convenience retailer added revamped coffee bars, hot-foods equipment and, in some cases, updating stores’ interiors with new walls, floors, ceilings, lighting and fixtures. It’s all part of a campaign to present a consistent and fresh customer experience in each of its stores in these markets.
The four-month construction schedule was somewhat of a logistical marvel. Most stores remained open during the remodeling process, with each store upgrade taking no more than five days – actually, nights to avoid the heavier customer-traffic periods during the day. The schedule called for 60 stores to be renovated each week. In addition to various equipment improvements at 1,000-plus stores, 7-Eleven replaced floors, repaved parking lots or upgraded the exteriors of another 550 stores.
Some stores already had added the hot foods program with new ovens and display cases, the expanded coffee bars or both, while others were adding all these new elements at once. Each renovation was planned to ensure continuity in look, product offering and convenience store-to-store.
While the construction project was underway, 7-Eleven employees in the affected stores received additional customer-service training to enhance their guests’ overall experience.
“We want to present one updated and refreshed store face to our guests in these markets, and offer a quality alternative to fast-food restaurants, which includes expanded fresh-food selections, hot foods and a new coffee island with dispensers that ensure high quality at every location,” said Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, senior vice president of merchandising, marketing and logistics.
To let consumers know that there’s a “new” 7-Eleven in town, the company is kicking off a media blitz this month that includes television and radio spots, outdoor and online advertising and newspaper ads for free or fresh and hot foods offerings. Media messages convey that 7-Eleven stores are good not only for snacks and variety, but can be meal destinations for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The colorful “More in Store” campaign features larger-than-life beauty shots of fresh foods like sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit, pizza, chicken wings, muffins and iced coffee. Print and outdoor headlines like “More of What You’d Never Expect,” “We A.M. to Please,” “Shame on the Same Ol’,” “We’ve Raised the Bar on the Coffee Bar” and “Give Your Tastebuds the VIP Treatment” were written to entice consumers to visit 7-Eleven stores to see and taste the difference.
The company is considering store-remodel programs in other parts of the U.S.
About 7-Eleven, Inc.
7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 8,600 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are approximately 41,500 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2010, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales close to $63 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Forbes magazine’s 2011 list of Top Franchises for the Money; #4 spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 2009, #3 in Forbes magazine’s Top 20 Franchises to Start, and #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies. Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven in its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven received the 2010 Retailer of the Year honor from PL Buyer because of the company's private-label brand initiative. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.
Contact:
7-Eleven, Inc.
Margaret Chabris
972-828-7285
margaret.chabris@7-11.com
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Foodservice Social Media Universe (FSMU) Conference
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Coffee and Other Dispensed Beverages Represent a Purpose-Driven Purchase and High Frequency Convenience Store Visits, Reports NPD
Houston, Texas, July 5, 2011 —Getting a cup of coffee or another dispensed beverage is the single-minded mission of many high frequency convenience store visitors, and often they'll grab a donut or something else to go with it, according to convenience store research by The NPD Group, a leading market research company.
NPD's Convenience Store Monitor, which continually tracks the consumer purchasing behavior of more than 51,000 convenience store shoppers in the U.S.,finds that 86 percent of dispensed coffee purchases are planned and seven percent are purchased on a deal. Other dispensed beverages are also purpose-driven purchases with only 14 percent bought on impulse and 13 percent on a deal. Consumers of coffee and other dispensed beverages are high frequency buyers who represent68 percent more visits than the average convenience store customer.
Coffee and other dispensed beverages represent 31 percent of unit purchases made in a convenience store, and of the dispensed beverage consumers, 33 percent are looking for coffee, 11 percent cappuccino or latte and 3 percent hot or iced tea.Typically, with the dispensed beverage incremental purchases are made amounting to an average visit of $6.83. Forty-five percent of consumers who purchase their coffee between 6 and 10 a.m. tend to also purchase doughnuts, gum, sweet rolls, sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, snack cakes, and cookies, reports NPD.
Dispensed beverage buyers are different than average convenience store buyers, who tend to be blue collar males, 18-to-49 years-old, according to the Convenience Store Monitor. Dispensed beverage buyers tend to be female, ages 35-64, white collar, Hispanic and from larger households. Coffee buyers tend to be male, ages 45-65, a mix of white and blue collar, strong military connection, smaller households and higher income.
"The fact that the buyers of coffee and other dispensed beverages are defined differently than the typical convenience store visitor presents anincremental opportunity for c-stores," says David Portalatin, executive director of industry analysis at NPD. "If a convenience store can deliver on what dispensed beverage buyers are looking for in terms of product quality, a rewards program, and a clean and bright store, it can attract a loyal new customer base."
Coffee and Dispensed Beverage Buyers are Super Heavy C-Store Visitors
C-Store Visits per Month (Index vs. Industry)
Source: The NPD Group/Convenience Store Monitor
"The fact that coffee and other dispensed beverages are purpose-driven purchases is a ready-made niche for any convenience store ready and willing to compete with QSRs and other retail outlets offering coffee and beverages," says Portalatin. "If a convenience store is looking for a way in which to distinguish itself from its gasoline or other offering, dispensed beverages appear to be among the possible answers."
NPD's Convenience Store Monitor, which continually tracks the consumer purchasing behavior of more than 51,000 convenience store shoppers in the U.S.,finds that 86 percent of dispensed coffee purchases are planned and seven percent are purchased on a deal. Other dispensed beverages are also purpose-driven purchases with only 14 percent bought on impulse and 13 percent on a deal. Consumers of coffee and other dispensed beverages are high frequency buyers who represent68 percent more visits than the average convenience store customer.
Coffee and other dispensed beverages represent 31 percent of unit purchases made in a convenience store, and of the dispensed beverage consumers, 33 percent are looking for coffee, 11 percent cappuccino or latte and 3 percent hot or iced tea.Typically, with the dispensed beverage incremental purchases are made amounting to an average visit of $6.83. Forty-five percent of consumers who purchase their coffee between 6 and 10 a.m. tend to also purchase doughnuts, gum, sweet rolls, sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, snack cakes, and cookies, reports NPD.
Dispensed beverage buyers are different than average convenience store buyers, who tend to be blue collar males, 18-to-49 years-old, according to the Convenience Store Monitor. Dispensed beverage buyers tend to be female, ages 35-64, white collar, Hispanic and from larger households. Coffee buyers tend to be male, ages 45-65, a mix of white and blue collar, strong military connection, smaller households and higher income.
"The fact that the buyers of coffee and other dispensed beverages are defined differently than the typical convenience store visitor presents anincremental opportunity for c-stores," says David Portalatin, executive director of industry analysis at NPD. "If a convenience store can deliver on what dispensed beverage buyers are looking for in terms of product quality, a rewards program, and a clean and bright store, it can attract a loyal new customer base."
Coffee and Dispensed Beverage Buyers are Super Heavy C-Store Visitors
C-Store Visits per Month (Index vs. Industry)
Source: The NPD Group/Convenience Store Monitor
"The fact that coffee and other dispensed beverages are purpose-driven purchases is a ready-made niche for any convenience store ready and willing to compete with QSRs and other retail outlets offering coffee and beverages," says Portalatin. "If a convenience store is looking for a way in which to distinguish itself from its gasoline or other offering, dispensed beverages appear to be among the possible answers."
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Budweiser Asks Men To Conserve Water By Not Shaving
Budweiser is asking adult men across America to help save one million gallons of water by not shaving in the days and weeks leading up to World Environment Day, June 5.
In 2010, more than 1,200 employees from Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch skipped shaving for one week prior to World Environment Day, helping to save about 42,000 gallons of water. This year, Budweiser is expanding the effort by inviting suppliers, partners, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers to join the effort.
"Water is a key ingredient in the brewing of Budweiser and all our beers, which is why water conservation is a priority both inside and outside our breweries," said Kathy Casso, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Anheuser-Busch. "In the past three years alone, our 12 U.S. breweries have reduced water use by 34 percent. Additionally, our employees and their families take action by volunteering to participate in local river cleanup projects in communities across the country."
As part of its annual recognition of World Environment Day, Anheuser-Busch and its Budweiser brand will again donate $150,000 to River Network to help support the organization watershed conservation projects in each of the company's 12 U.S. brewery cities. These projects will include stream/river cleanups, education programs, tree plantings and various activities that support the environment and provide employees and local wholesalers the opportunity to volunteer in their communities.
In 2010, more than 1,200 employees from Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch skipped shaving for one week prior to World Environment Day, helping to save about 42,000 gallons of water. This year, Budweiser is expanding the effort by inviting suppliers, partners, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers to join the effort.
"Water is a key ingredient in the brewing of Budweiser and all our beers, which is why water conservation is a priority both inside and outside our breweries," said Kathy Casso, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Anheuser-Busch. "In the past three years alone, our 12 U.S. breweries have reduced water use by 34 percent. Additionally, our employees and their families take action by volunteering to participate in local river cleanup projects in communities across the country."
As part of its annual recognition of World Environment Day, Anheuser-Busch and its Budweiser brand will again donate $150,000 to River Network to help support the organization watershed conservation projects in each of the company's 12 U.S. brewery cities. These projects will include stream/river cleanups, education programs, tree plantings and various activities that support the environment and provide employees and local wholesalers the opportunity to volunteer in their communities.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Appellate Division Allows Tax Collection to Resume in NY
Appellate Division Allows Tax Collection to Resume
The on-again, off-again enforcement of tax collection in Indian sales of cigarettes to non-Indian customers is on again -- for now -- following a ruling today by the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court.
Sitting in Rochester, the court upheld a lower-court ruling that the State of New York had followed proper procedures in adopting regulations governing the collection of such taxes, and lifted the previous restraining order imposed by one of its judges.
Thus, for the moment, the Cuomo administration can resume enforcement. However, the Seneca Indian Nation is vowing to seek permission to appeal to the state Court of Appeals. The key question will be whether they succeed in getting a new stay of enforcement while their request is pending. They are running out of legal options; who knows what other steps they might take to try to preserve the status quo?
NYACS will continue to keep you posted as we continue the quest for a level playing field for tax-collecting retailers.
The on-again, off-again enforcement of tax collection in Indian sales of cigarettes to non-Indian customers is on again -- for now -- following a ruling today by the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court.
Sitting in Rochester, the court upheld a lower-court ruling that the State of New York had followed proper procedures in adopting regulations governing the collection of such taxes, and lifted the previous restraining order imposed by one of its judges.
Thus, for the moment, the Cuomo administration can resume enforcement. However, the Seneca Indian Nation is vowing to seek permission to appeal to the state Court of Appeals. The key question will be whether they succeed in getting a new stay of enforcement while their request is pending. They are running out of legal options; who knows what other steps they might take to try to preserve the status quo?
NYACS will continue to keep you posted as we continue the quest for a level playing field for tax-collecting retailers.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Commissaries Account For A Quarter Of All Supermarket And Convenience Store Prepared Food Purchases, Says Technomic
CHICAGO, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a first-of-its-kind study, Technomic found that commissaries (also known as meal assemblers and central kitchens) are the source of a large percentage of all foodservice purchases in both supermarkets and c-stores. Commissaries have recently become more popular and required as these growing channels look to increase their overall foodservice sales and to meet consumer demand for fresh, prepared foods.
"Commissaries are a great option for c-stores and supermarkets largely because they can outsource the food preparation function to someone else," said Tim Powell, a director of research and consulting at Technomic. "As these channels have explored new avenues of growth, foodservice has shown that margins can sometimes be three times as high as other in-store categories."
In recent years, supermarkets and c-stores have looked to foodservice for expansion and have been growing faster than the overall foodservice industryrate, making them attractive targets for suppliers to the industry.
Other pertinent findings include:
Technomic identified four primary models of commissaries that will be critical for trading partners to understand.
Commissary growth over the next three years will exceed both c-store and supermarket growth.
Cold deli sandwiches, burritos and pizza account for the largest shipments from commissaries to c-stores.
The largest volume categories going to supermarkets are fully-cooked meats, prepared salads, pizza and cold deli sandwiches.
As part of this research, Technomic developed a framework for suppliers to determine the best way to select and identify commissaries relevant to a trading partner's business. The study also focuses on supermarket and c-store operator opinions as well as commissary attitudes and needs from suppliers.
http://goo.gl/mxgTt
"Commissaries are a great option for c-stores and supermarkets largely because they can outsource the food preparation function to someone else," said Tim Powell, a director of research and consulting at Technomic. "As these channels have explored new avenues of growth, foodservice has shown that margins can sometimes be three times as high as other in-store categories."
In recent years, supermarkets and c-stores have looked to foodservice for expansion and have been growing faster than the overall foodservice industryrate, making them attractive targets for suppliers to the industry.
Other pertinent findings include:
Technomic identified four primary models of commissaries that will be critical for trading partners to understand.
Commissary growth over the next three years will exceed both c-store and supermarket growth.
Cold deli sandwiches, burritos and pizza account for the largest shipments from commissaries to c-stores.
The largest volume categories going to supermarkets are fully-cooked meats, prepared salads, pizza and cold deli sandwiches.
As part of this research, Technomic developed a framework for suppliers to determine the best way to select and identify commissaries relevant to a trading partner's business. The study also focuses on supermarket and c-store operator opinions as well as commissary attitudes and needs from suppliers.
http://goo.gl/mxgTt
Monday, May 23, 2011
Scripting
Visit virtually every fast food restaurant in the United States and you hear, “You want the extra size that?” In fact, you hear it so much that you are probably tired of the upsell offer.
There's nothing wrong with an upsell. In fact, statistics show that somewhere between 46-70% of offered upsells are accepted and purchased. That’s a lot of extra cash flow for no additional marketing or overhead cost.
But you would think that there would be thought that goes into this.
When I managed stores for a global 5 company, we required the CSRs to upsell everyone. But here was the extent of the upsell training – a 3” by 5” card that had suggestions of what to offer as an upsell when a customer was purchasing a specific type of item.
So every cigarette sale became, “Would you like a lighter with that?”
This was replaced by the Product of the Month push. Someone at the corporate offices decided that it would be easier to offer the “Product of the Month” as the upsell to everyone. The next month, when someone came in to the store to purchase a 6 pack of beer and a pack of cigarettes, the upsell was “Would you like a 2 liter Pepsi with that?”.
How do you think the upsells did? Pretty poorly, it would seem.
Here’s my point – wouldn’t it be a lot more conducive to increasing your sales is you gave your Customer Service Reps a little clue by giving them a little bit of sales training.
The argument I heard a number of times at my employer was that should we teach our employees to sell, they would leave the company and find an employer that would be willing to pay them more based on their sales skills. It never occurred that the opposite – not training your employees to sell and keeping them – was less beneficial to the corporation.
There are many sales trainers out there. Many sales techniques. Many books, CDs, DVDs and one can spend up to $25,000 for a lifetime sales training class in Cincinnati. I am not suggesting you do this.
What’s my suggestion? Personally, I like the sales trainers that incorporate some persuasion language into their training. Persuasion language can take a close ratio of 20-25% to 40-60% - in fairly short manner.
Another point about sales training – I like those who insist on scripting. Without scripting, you are winging the presentation. No presentation goes 100% the way any salesperson desires. But how can a sale continue to move in the direction intended if the sales person doesn’t even have an outline or clue of how to steer the sale back to their desired outcome?
Lastly, is it really that necessary to provide sales training to CSRs? After all, this is an impromptu purchase, not a sale of a computer or an automobile. It may not be, but having memorized scripts so that your CSRs don’t come off as a mindless “You wanna biggie size that order?” may be in order.
Want to receive some very cost effective insights on writing scripts and “sales presentations” for your CSRs to learn? I would highly recommend the following:
www.ericlofholm.com
Eric was trained by a Dr. Donald Moine. Dr. Donald Moine has a book from several years ago (which Eric is currently updating) entitled Unlimited Selling Power (available from www.Amazon.com).
BTW, tell Eric Ted sent you to him.
There's nothing wrong with an upsell. In fact, statistics show that somewhere between 46-70% of offered upsells are accepted and purchased. That’s a lot of extra cash flow for no additional marketing or overhead cost.
But you would think that there would be thought that goes into this.
When I managed stores for a global 5 company, we required the CSRs to upsell everyone. But here was the extent of the upsell training – a 3” by 5” card that had suggestions of what to offer as an upsell when a customer was purchasing a specific type of item.
So every cigarette sale became, “Would you like a lighter with that?”
This was replaced by the Product of the Month push. Someone at the corporate offices decided that it would be easier to offer the “Product of the Month” as the upsell to everyone. The next month, when someone came in to the store to purchase a 6 pack of beer and a pack of cigarettes, the upsell was “Would you like a 2 liter Pepsi with that?”.
How do you think the upsells did? Pretty poorly, it would seem.
Here’s my point – wouldn’t it be a lot more conducive to increasing your sales is you gave your Customer Service Reps a little clue by giving them a little bit of sales training.
The argument I heard a number of times at my employer was that should we teach our employees to sell, they would leave the company and find an employer that would be willing to pay them more based on their sales skills. It never occurred that the opposite – not training your employees to sell and keeping them – was less beneficial to the corporation.
There are many sales trainers out there. Many sales techniques. Many books, CDs, DVDs and one can spend up to $25,000 for a lifetime sales training class in Cincinnati. I am not suggesting you do this.
What’s my suggestion? Personally, I like the sales trainers that incorporate some persuasion language into their training. Persuasion language can take a close ratio of 20-25% to 40-60% - in fairly short manner.
Another point about sales training – I like those who insist on scripting. Without scripting, you are winging the presentation. No presentation goes 100% the way any salesperson desires. But how can a sale continue to move in the direction intended if the sales person doesn’t even have an outline or clue of how to steer the sale back to their desired outcome?
Lastly, is it really that necessary to provide sales training to CSRs? After all, this is an impromptu purchase, not a sale of a computer or an automobile. It may not be, but having memorized scripts so that your CSRs don’t come off as a mindless “You wanna biggie size that order?” may be in order.
Want to receive some very cost effective insights on writing scripts and “sales presentations” for your CSRs to learn? I would highly recommend the following:
www.ericlofholm.com
Eric was trained by a Dr. Donald Moine. Dr. Donald Moine has a book from several years ago (which Eric is currently updating) entitled Unlimited Selling Power (available from www.Amazon.com).
BTW, tell Eric Ted sent you to him.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Dunkin' Donuts Files For IPO
Dunkin' Brands Group Inc., Canton, Mass., the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, last week filed for a proposed initial public offering (IPO) of $400 million of its common stock. All of the shares would be sold by Dunkin' Brands and no shares are being offered by existing shareholders.
Dunkin' Brands intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund a portion of the redemption price for the outstanding Dunkin' Brands, Inc. senior notes due 2018.
Dunkin' Brands says it has more than 16,000 points of distribution in 57 countries worldwide, At the end of 2010, Dunkin' Brands' nearly 100 percent franchised business model included 9,760 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants and 6,433 Baskin-Robbins restaurants, and the company had system-wide sales of approximately $7.7 billion.
Dunkin' Brands intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund a portion of the redemption price for the outstanding Dunkin' Brands, Inc. senior notes due 2018.
Dunkin' Brands says it has more than 16,000 points of distribution in 57 countries worldwide, At the end of 2010, Dunkin' Brands' nearly 100 percent franchised business model included 9,760 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants and 6,433 Baskin-Robbins restaurants, and the company had system-wide sales of approximately $7.7 billion.
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