GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The first stop for many attendees of CSP’s 2017 Convenience Retailing University wasn’t the general session theater or even the convenience-store product gallery. No, for dozens of retailers, the first stop was one of three retail sites included in the conference’s popular store tours.
Here’s a look at the stores visited during the conference held in February in Glendale, Ariz. …
Tour participants marveled at this Gen 3 QuikTrip convenience store, which was designed around the kitchen. That meant an accent on foodservice, including kiosk-ordering and multiple merchandising areas for fountain drinks and cold-vault beverages.
The two dozen fueling positions outside belie the multiple foodservice options in the store. These include fresh fruit, roller-grill items, pizza, fresh sandwiches and a wide selection of made-to-order food products, including all-day breakfast and a variety of specialty drinks.
Circle K’s store 3477 is a 4,400-square-foot site in Glendale, Ariz. Opened on Dec. 9, 2015, the site exemplifies the chain’s commitment to “Make it easy, so folks can take it easy,” the company said. Many retailers on the tour were impressed by the LED-lit candy set (above), which included lights on each shelving row to illuminate the product options.
The Circle K site includes 16 fueling positions, a 20-door cold vault, a beer cave and four roller grills. Retailers got a look at the store’s extensive hot- and cold-dispensed beverages offer, which includes seven coffees flavors, five cappuccinos, two iced coffees and an espresso machine. A dramatic video wall (above) topped the 36 fountain heads. The fountain also included eight frozen-beverage options.
Don’t look for Coca-Cola, Red Bull or Doritos in Sprouts Farmers Market. With its commitment to healthy foods, the chain of grocery stores started in Chandler, Ariz., in 2002 turns away products that don’t meet its healthy-living standards. There are now 250 Sprouts sites across the United States. The chain prides itself “on our unwavering commitment to providing customers with affordable, healthy foods and friendly, knowledgeable and engaging service every day.”
Much of Sprouts is dedicated to bulk deli meats, fruits and vegetables, including specializing in fresh juices ground on-site. This 27,000-square-foot store does, however, offer a variety of alternative snacks and beverages, while its largest food offer is a well-stocked salad bar (above). The site includes a limited 18-foot cooler dedicated to beer, including singles, six-packs and 12-packs.
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