Retail Disruption Watch (January 2021)

CHICAGO — Mobile devices are playing an increasingly large role in the convenience retail industry.

From mobile payment to Augmented Reality (AR) and digital training tools, smartphones are continuing to innovate consumer and employee experiences in c-stores.

Click through for four examples of mobile device innovation in convenience stores …

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores has expanded contactless payment options for transactions inside and outside its locations across the country. The expansion includes tap-and-go credit cards, mobile phone payment options and Mobile Pay from the Love’s Connect app.

Oklahoma City-based Love’s is No. 16 on CSP’s 2020 Top 202 ranking of c-stores by number of retail outlets.

7-Eleven Inc.'s new app-based mobile wallet offers all customers—including those who would like to load cash—a contactless way to pay at participating U.S. stores.

Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven is No. 1 on CSP’s 2020 Top 202 ranking of largest c-store chains by store count.

Customers using the 7-Eleven Wallet, accessible in the 7-Eleven app, can load funds to use upon checkout using cash, debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and prepaid 7-Eleven gift cards. Cash must be loaded in store at the register, while other payment methods can be loaded in the app. 7-Eleven Wallet users are not charged any loading or transaction fees and incur no interest fees as with credit card charges, the company said.

Wawa has enhanced its line of Kids Meals further by partnering with Reading, Pa.-based Neo-Pangea to develop a free and interactive AR game, “Wally’s Adventure Game.” Players can flap Wally’s wings, move left and right to fly around trees, over fences and beneath storm clouds on a quest through the forest to collect Kids Meal Boxes.It is accessible through a QR code on the Kids Meal boxes. Players scan the QR code or visit www.wawakidsmeals.com/game on a mobile device and play, with no downloads required.

Wawa reached the milestone of its 900th store in June. The Wawa, Pa.-based chain is No. 10 on CSP’s 2020 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by number of retail outlets.

FiveStar is tapping PlayerLync as its mobile workforce enablement platform to help bolster communication, training and employee engagement in its stores.

Bardstown, Ky.-based Newcomb Oil Co. and its FiveStar stores are No. 78 on CSP’s 2020 Top 202 ranking of c-stores by store count.