DALLAS -- Retailers attending CSP’s Convenience Retailing University (CRU) caught the latest prototypes Wednesday of two of the channel’s premier chains: QuikTrip and RaceTrac.
Here’s a quick snapshot of each store and what retailers had to stay:
QuikTrip
QuikTrip's Gen 3 convenience-store model in Richardson, Texas, is 5,700 square feet, features 10 fuel dispensers, 11 cooler doors and is designed like an eagle with a center entrance flanked by entranceways at each wing.
Retailer likes:
- “Superior commissary. I can’t price snacks this cheap,” one operator said of a chocolate-covered Rice Krispie clone retailing at $1.49.
- “They have [foot-traffic] drivers everywhere. Go left, you get tea and fountain; go right, and you have coffee. Clever.”
- “Very symmetrical. Each point in the store has a destination.”
- “Great mix of [major] brands and their own private label. You can tell that QT is the brand.”
- “Cool lighting. It shifts depending on the theme within the store.”
- “Great kitchen, better than what I remember a couple years ago.”
- “Pairings are really strong: candy and snacks with coffee.”
- “Store associates are active, always moving: cleaning, greeting.”
Retailer dislikes:
- “It felt tight, a bit claustrophobic.”
- “Because they have so much stuff, the store feels smaller than its true size”
- “You kind of walk past the automotive and newspapers.” [They appear to the immediate right upon entering through the store center.]
- “Don’t like that they moved the checkout from the middle of the store. Now you walk right past them when you come through.”
- “QT is famous for their customer service, but I think they lost something by moving the checkout. You don’t get that big Hello!”
CONTINUED: A Look Inside RaceTrac's RT6K
RaceTrac
RaceTrac's RT6K convenience store features a 6,000-square-foot floorplan, including 10 Swirl World Yogurt flavors with more than 40 toppings. The store also includes indoor seating and free WiFi.
Retailer likes:
- "Love the spaciousness and the lighting. Very bright, very friendly.”
- “The low-profile, cube racks are great. Wonder where I can get them.”
- “Bakery is a real marquee and everything looks real fresh.”
- “Signage is awesome—bright colors, very contemporary, very visual; makes you want to buy more than you planned.”
- “Real easy flow. I can see the whole store when I enter. People are friendly. Very inviting.”
- “One of the best stores I’ve seen. Probably cost a s--- load to build.”
- “In-line presentation’s very clean, orderly, easy to find things.”
- “Great pairings of coffee and baked goods. Probably do a strong breakfast business.”
- “It’s obvious this store is all about foodservice.”
- “Love the ornamental stone columns at checkout and brick columns at the pumps.”
- “Great marketing tie-ins from the forecourt to the store.”
Retailer dislikes:
- “Coffee is hard to find, not obvious.”
- “Right side of the store with foodservice is great, but the left side is congested.”
- “Fountain is hidden behind gondolas.”
- “Didn’t like that as soon as I go right I saw out-of-stocks on candy, not a great first impression.”
- “Really strong on cigars but rest of the tobacco set is ordinary.”
CSP’s Convenience Retailing University (CRU) conference began Wednesday in Dallas and continues through Friday. Watch CSPnet.com all week for updates and reports from on site!
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