Not That Thirsty!
What works and doesn't with digital promotions? Simple, accessible games good; think scratch-off games, said Mats Danielsen of Liquid Barcodes, Oslo. Two-for-ones bad; people want to drink only one beverage per visit.
Cleanliness Is Next to ...
How do you get corporate to buy into a forecourt cleaning program? Explain to them that a cleaning program not only improves the aesthetics, but also extends the life of pumps, thereby saving money in the long term, said Rachel Gee of Brookshire Grocery Co., Tyler, Texas.
EMV: Pump It Up
When preparing to upgrade your pumps for EMV compliance, put together an individual site plan for each location because sites can vary by dispenser type and model, wiring, age and other factors, advised Kara Gunderson, POS manager for CITGO Petroleum Co., Houston. If you are upgrading your pumps, consider adding additional functionality, such as 2-D scanners or near-field communication (NFC) capability to accept mobile, contactless payment technologies such as ApplePay.
Set Yourself Apart
As competition in the c-store industry stiffens, NACS director of industry analytics Leroy Kelsey suggests there are three areas in which a retailer can differentiate himself: service, quality or price. His suggestion: Be good at two of them and the best in the world at one.
'What Does This Button Do?'
Term of the day: "self-eject." What a manager does when he or she does not comply with a store or company policy.
QuickChek's Smooth(ie) Start
QuickChek, Whitehouse Station, N.J., may have just launched mobile ordering in March, but the convenience-store chain has already seen higher order sizes and value through its QuickChek in Your Pocket app. Maria Fidelibus, vice president of information technology, said QuickChek has seen a 28.3% increase in order size and a $1 increase in order value. One of the best mobile sellers is its smoothies.
Canopies of a Different Color
Don't be afraid to ask why and why not when designing your forecourt experience, said Joe Bona, president of MoselyBona Retail, Franklin, Mass. For example, even though fueling canopies are traditionally rectangular in shape, there is no reason they cannot be oblong, circular or another shape. The canopy can serve as a powerful extension of your brand and an identifier for consumers.
No Such Thing as a Small Partner
Stop believing the major retailers get all the best programs from suppliers. Derek Gaskins, chief customer officer for Rutter's Farm Stores, York, Pa., said small and midsize retailers have a real advantage. "A large [supplier] may be more likely to partner with a small chain because of the geographic concentration," he said. "So we serve as a test market before rolling [a program] out to the industry."
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