MILPITAS, Calif. -- The American Petroleum & Convenience Store Association (APCA) has been formed to unite independent gasoline retailers and convenience store owners, beginning with California and then expanding nationwide. APCA aims to be a grass-roots organization providing representation to these small and medium-sized enterprises, filling a need previously unfulfilled, according to founding members.
APCA's chief aims will be to improve the business environment and community relations of the independent c-store retailers and become a resource for its members in all their business transactions.
APCA will provide information on legislative and regulatory policy at the state and federal level along with updates for members on issues that affect members daily and directly. It will also provide connections to vendors for better pricing and stronger relationships. Members of APCA will be able to participate in trade/buying shows where they can test new products before investing in them. APCA will also educate its members so those with experience can continue to grow, and those who have less experience can be empowered to take their businesses to new levels.
"Our goal is nothing less than providing an excellent platform for our members," said founding member Jag Kapoor, chairman of APCA. "With our collective experience in the convenience store industry, we feel that we can provide needed services and information in a timely manner to our members which will serve to increase their bottom line."
Kapoor opened his first Stop 'N' Save convenience grocery store in 1982 and is the president of Stop 'N' Save Inc. He acquired a competing 22-store chain known as Bonfare Markets and he is the chairman/CEO of Bonfare Markets Inc.
"We believe there is a niche for APCA, which is why we created it," said Jivtesh Gill, spokesperson of APCA and executive vice chairman of the National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees. "We felt that this niche could best be filled by this new association, and we intend to become a force that will serve our members' interests"
Gill procured first 7-Eleven store in 1998. Current franchises inlcude7-Eleven, Chevron, 76, ARCO ampm.
Click here to view all found members' backgrounds.
Based in Milpitas, Calif., APCA is a no-profit association formed in late 2013 and is dedicated to empowering its members in the c-store industry to succeed. APCA members include many gas station and c-store owners throughout California. APCA was founded by industry veterans with a combined experience of more than 300 years.
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