This month’s issue of CSP is special on many fronts.
First, we are excited to share that we have entered into a special partnership with Technomic Inc., one of the premier information and consulting businesses in the foodservice and retail arena.
Our cover story—an in-depth report exploring the preferences and habits of the men and women who shop your stores—represents the first fruits of this new relationship. There is an incredible amount of information in this report, which begins on p. 30. We are excited to offer you fresh strategic insights not only through this feature, but also via our website, cspnet.com.
While our cover story delves into the mindset of our customer, our second major exclusive speaks to our industry’s response.
The second annual CSP Top 101 touts not only the largest convenience chains but also some of the most innovative and daring. The report is built from our proprietary CSPedia database, which spotlights companies with at least 10 stores. Both our exclusive consumer report and Top 101 promise fresh thinking, confirmation of long-held beliefs and some big surprises.
Speaking of surprises, you are probably wondering: Why does this CSP look different from the magazine you’ve been reading for decades?
The answer is because of you. We as an industry have matured and can stand proudly against the best that drug stores, mass merchants and QSR have to offer. But to compete in the long term, we must improve.
That “we” also means CSP. Over the past year, we have talked to you about your biggest business challenges and greatest opportunities, and explored how best we can aid in your growth. We hosted focus groups, talked one on one with dozens of you, and conducted an in-depth online readership study.
In our research, you told us that CSP was your No. 1 most-trusted brand and the first publication you read. But you also told us we could do better.
Specifically:
- You wanted CSP to be easier to read and to navigate, to find the departments and articles of interest more easily.
- You wanted CSP to deliver more solutions, to offer strategies that make you better operators and improve your bottom line.
- You wanted CSP to produce even more coverage on fuels, foodservice and tobacco—and pay greater attention to technology and beverages.
- You wanted to learn from your peers, and you asked that CSP return to its roots when it was called Convenience Store People, by celebrating the extraordinary people who represent our channel.
We heard you, and we continue to listen.
We have invigorated our magazine to feel like the business publications you trust: Fortune, Forbes and Bloomberg. We have simplified your reading experience by increasing the amount of white space and infographics.
We are making CSP more engaging. Yes, a print product by definition is two-dimensional, but studies of brain activity shows readers are increasingly engaged and entertained through powerful visuals, quick bits of information and short, thought-provoking ideas.
We are dramatically increasing our coverage of your most vital categories to a level never before seen in the c-store trade industry.
We have launched three new monthly pillars: CSP Kitchen (foodservice), CSP Fuels and CSP Tobacco. In each, you will find a compelling mix of columns, strategic insights and new products that will keep you ahead of your competition.
We also are increasing our coverage of technology, beverages and candy and snacks.
We are delivering more peer-to-peer communication. Each month will feature a Grand Opening, a spotlight of a recently opened store that includes lots of photos and a guide through the store by a company executive.
In addition, we will have a monthly guest column from a retail executive. We are pleased to have Scott Hartman, president of Rutter’s Farm Stores, to launch this column by sharing some of his thoughts on business, strategy and leadership.
And we are introducing Diversions, a new monthly feature that celebrates the amazing activities and hobbies folks in our industry take part in outside of work. We encourage you to read the riveting story of how John West and his friends at Alon Brands are honoring our military veterans. (See p. 171).
We also have new legislative and financial pages to keep you abreast of the most important regulatory and business news.
So the new CSP isn’t just a redesign—it’s a reinvention. In short, we are remaking ourselves to better serve our most important consumer: you.
This is a journey. We want to hear from you about our consumer report and our redesign, about how we can further enhance your reading pleasure and business needs.
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