Shows
Retail101onlineBrand Differentiation: PROMISE. PROOF. PERSISTENCESend us a textLaunch day! Series 3 of RETAIL101online kicks off with the one thing that separates winners from wallpaper: brand differentiation. In this episode I break down what real differentiation is (not logos or limited-time drinks), how to build your Brand Wedge (Promise • Proof • Persistence), and the exact plays convenience stores and small-format retailers can run to stop blending in and start winning.We’ll cover: how to choose a single, memorable promise your team can chant, the proof moments customers can feel at shelf and at the till, the we...
2026-01-0718 min
CStore DecisionsOnvo Podcast _Harman Aulakh, VP of marketing and second-generation member of Onvo, discusses the chain's rebranding in 2020, subsequent growth, Food-on-the-Fly foodservice program, electric vehicle charging, its new delivery program and much more.
2025-12-2243 min
CStore DecisionsInConvenience PodcastErin Del Conte, editor-in-chief of CStore Decisions speaks with Lindsay Griffith, marketing and community engagement manager for InConvenience Inc, the women-led team behind “The G Spot” (Good Spot and Gas Spot) convenience stores. InConvenience Inc is a relatively new company. The company was founded by CEO Tiffany Fraley. The journey began in 2023. At the time she had 25 stores, but when Mountain Express and SQRL Service Stations LLC went bankrupt, the stores were shuttered overnight. Fraley founded InConvenience Inc in February 2024. The company quickly reopened 15 Iowa stores and began remodels on the company’s Missouri and Arkansas stores. In September 2024, the chain’...
2025-11-2031 min
Fresh Take with IDDBA#37 (S4E11) Cheese: From Treasure Hunt to Category Growth with Brian FreemanCheese: From Treasure Hunt to Category Growth with Brian Freeman (Specialty Cheese Category Business Manager, Tops Markets) For November, Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, speaks with Brian Freeman, Specialty Cheese Category Business Manager at Tops Markets, in a free-rolling but practical conversation that moves from social-media spikes and global flavor discovery to the merchandising habits and programs that turn a cheese case into a true destination. Brian shares how his category at Tops has outpaced national growth by pairing innovation and authenticity with close collaboration across makers, brokers, and buyers—gr...
2025-11-0422 minCStore DecisionsGlobal Partners PodcastLaura Derba, SVP of Retail Operations for Global Partners, discusses the company’s Honey Farms and Alltown Fresh banners, its new Bees Knees Benefits loyalty program and much more.
2025-10-2937 min
Coca-Cola - Brand BiographyCoca-Cola's Fizzy Fortunes: AI, Mini Cans, and a Halloween BlockbusterCoca Cola BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.In the whirlwind of corporate maneuvering and pop-culture spectacle that is my daily life, a flurry of headlines and happenings have put Coca Cola front and center again this week. Investors just got a sweet treat as Coca-Cola Consolidated, the US bottling giant, declared a fourth quarter dividend of 25 cents per share, payable November seventh, maintaining its track record of stable shareholder rewards. This comes on the heels of both a recent stock split and dividend hike, moves that have given the stock a sparkling 198 percent return over three years, according...
2025-10-1103 minCStore DecisionsBP — Thorntons, ampm, TravelCenters of America — PodcastDerek Gaskins, head of guest experience, bp convenience & mobility, discusses bp and its c-store banners Thorntons, ampm and TravelCenters of America and gives us the inside scoop on what’s happening at the brands from foodservice to technology to bp’s Epic Goods private label program to new-to-industry stores.
Register for the Oct. 2 Young Executive Power Hour: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_01QOWOTTcKmywc7fUqoCg
Retailer Registration for Oct. 15 Chain of the Year Event: https://cstoredecisions.com/2025-chain-of-the-year
2025-09-1733 minFresh Take with IDDBA#34 (S4E9) Bakery is Civilization: Donald DeMont on the Big Picture of (Gluten-Free) Bakery Bakery is Civilization: Donald DeMont on the Big Picture of (Gluten-Free) Bakery (Regional Sales Manager, Antonina's Gluten-Free Bakery) For August, Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, speaks with Donald DeMont, Regional Sales Manager for Antonina's Gluten-Free Bakery, in a wide-ranging conversation that goes from the current world of bakery and taste trends all the way back to the beginning of human civilization. Donald shares the company's origins in meeting family dietary needs, how and why it became America's No. 1 manufacturer of gluten-free muffins, cakes, and brownies , the journey to creating gluten-free...
2025-08-0523 min
CStore DecisionsYATCO PODCASTCStore Decisions speaks with Hussein Yatim, VP, Yatco, and second generation of the family business about the chain's aggressive growth plans to scale from 13 to 19 company-operated stores in 2025 and then to 30. Yatim shares the story of how the family business began as well as how the chain is innovating in terms of foodservice, technology, remodels and more.
2025-07-1849 minCStore DecisionsLoop Neighborhood & Poppy Market PodcastIn this episode, we’re joined by Pervez Pir, president of retail for Loop Neighborhood Marketplace, who offers an inside look at the company’s Loop Neighborhood and Poppy Market banners. Based in California, the chain recently expanded with the acquisition of 11 stores from National Petroleum. From foodservice innovation and car wash services to cutting-edge technology, Pir shares what’s driving the brand forward today.
2025-06-1835 minFresh Take with IDDBA#32 (S4E7) Live from #IDDBA2025 in New Orleans!Let the good times roll! IDDBA's Whitney Atkins, VP of Marketing and Membership, and Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations, take the podcast down to New Orleans to bring you a collection of conversations and stories right from inside #IDDBA2025, the premier event of the year in our industry. All of the podcast was recorded on location at the show - some of it on the busy show floor itself! If hearing the podcast isn't enough, you can head over to the YouTube version of the episode and watch the full episode! This year's show...
2025-06-0315 minCStore DecisionsGreen Valley GroceryAmanda Yaw, director of marketing for Green Valley Grocery talks about the chain's growth plans and areas of focus from foodservice and technology to new-to-industry stores.
2025-05-2027 minCStore DecisionsCountry Fair Celebrates 60 Years, Opens Flagship StoreSteve Seymour and Stacy Kline from Country Fair discuss the chain’s new flagship store, — which is its biggest location and first city market concept — as well as Country Fair’s 60th anniversary year, how the chain is investing in its company culture and its earned wage access program for employees. From the company history to foodservice and technology initiatives to goals for the future, this podcast deep-dives into the Country Fair convenience store chain.
2025-04-1738 minCStore DecisionsH&S Energy & Power MarketWith the second-generation of the family active in management of the company, and fresh off a major acquisition that more than doubles its footprint while adding vertical integration opportunities, H&S Energy has its sights set on continued growth. Today, H&S Energy operates more than 260 stores in California, Oregon and Nevada. The company currently operates under the proprietary banners Power Market, as well as Pinnacle 365, and it’s also an Extra Mile franchisee.
2025-03-1745 minCStore DecisionsMajor Oil Plans 500-Store GrowthMajor Itule, CEO of Major Oil, discusses his plans to grow to more than 500 locations. His new concept includes autonomous Convenience Store Portable Above Ground Stations (CPAGs) that take days to build for a fraction of the cost of a traditional convenience store. With the first station opening later this year, he aspires to introduce five to 10 locations per month in 2026. Learn the ins and outs of the unique concept, how it's constructed, how the technology works, the offerings inside the store and the vision behind the new concept.
2025-02-1445 minCStore DecisionsChestnut Market Talks Retail Is Detail, Store Remodels, Foodservice, Loyalty And So Much MoreIt’s been five years since Chestnut Petroleum Distributors began aligning its fleet of stores under the Chestnut Market banner. Now, with more visibility in its marketplace, Chestnut Market is mastering execution and consistency with help from its Retail Is Detail program while growing through remodels and new store builds. It’s also making bold strides with a stronger focus on food and the imminent launch of its new mobile app and loyalty program.
Today, the chain operates approximately 75 company-operated convenience stores in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and it’s also a major distributor for Exxon Mobil, Shell, bp, Gu...
2025-01-161h 07CStore DecisionsTriumph Energy Updates Sites, Tunes Operations and Sharpens Execution as it Works to Create a Cohesive Experience Across StoresConvenience store chain Triumph Energy is elevating its execution for 2025, rolling out new programs and creating a cohesive experience for customers from its store design to its offerings.
2024-12-1942 min
Postgres FMCompressionNikolay and Michael discuss compression in Postgres — what's available natively, newer algorithms in recent versions, and several extensions with compression features. Here are some links to things they mentioned:wal_compression https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/runtime-config-wal.html#GUC-WAL-COMPRESSIONOur episode on WAL and checkpoint tuning https://postgres.fm/episodes/wal-and-checkpoint-tuningSynthetic wal_compression and streaming replication wal size test https://gitlab.com/postgres-ai/postgresql-consulting/tests-and-benchmarks/-/issues/11default_toast_compression https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/runtime-config-client.html#GUC-DEFAULT-TOAST-COMPRESSION ZFS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZFSOur episode on TOAST https://postgres.fm/episodes/toastOn compression of ever...
2024-07-2645 min
Culture of ConvenienceEpisode 0124 | An Interview with Frank BeardIn 2016, Frank Beard spent 30 days eating exclusively at convenience stores – breakfast lunch and dinner. Ever since then, Frank has been extremely passionate about convenience stores. In this info-packed episode, Jeff Kahler speaks with Frank about his cstore diet, EV charging stations, autonomous check-out, and measuring success. What is your go-to convenience store food order? We want to know! Share your thoughts on this episode in the comments at: https://www.cultureofconvenience.com/ or email Producer@CultureofConvenience.com.
2023-10-1054 minPostgres FMReal-time analyticsNikolay and Michael discuss real-time analytics — what it means, what the options are, and some tips if you're trying to implement it within Postgres. Here are links to a few things we mentioned: Loose index scan / skip scan with recursive CTE (wiki)Zheap (wiki)cstore_fdw (now part of Citus)Timescale compression docsHydra founders interview (on Postgres TV)Materialised views episode pg_ivmTimescale continuous aggregates docsClickhouseSnowflakeReplication episodeTimescale bottomless storage on S3 (blog post)pg_partmanQuerying Postgres from DuckDB (blog post)Heap blog (filter by “Engineering”)Incremental View Maintenance (wiki)PostgreSQL HyperLogLog Faster counting (by Joe Nelson on the Cit...
2023-02-1734 min
CStore DecisionsSocial Media Awards Podcast 2023CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte and Seth Bridges, founder of Rival IQ, discuss the 2023 Social Media Awards. For the third year in a row, Kwik Trip claimed the top spot as the overall winner across platforms. Listen for more on which chains took first and second place on the various platforms. New this year, the social media awards include TikTok, in addition to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Bridges details what this year's winners did well, and the trends ahead for social media in 2023. Hint: C-store retailers should consider joining TikTok, if they're not already active on the popular...
2023-01-0649 min
CStore DecisionsWinning the Last Mile and Boosting Online SalesThis month, CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock speaks with Elie Y.Katz, President and CEO of National Retail Solutions (NRS) to dicuss retail trends, including e-commerce, winning the battle for the last mile and expanding a loyalty program. With vast retail industry knowledge gained from having owned over a dozen retail establishments, Elie has refined insight into the mindset and needs of the retail business owner. Elie coordinated the creation of the NRSPoint of Sale (POS) system and NRS PAY merchant services, combined with a loyalty and rewards network for IDT’s five million-plus customers.
2022-06-1323 minCStore DecisionsConversations With Women in Convenience Featuring Christy PatientErin Del Conte, executive editor of CStore Decisions, speaks with Christy Patient, regional director of operations at Circle K, co-chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Council and co-chair of the Women’s Council, about her experiences as a woman in business.
2022-05-0231 minCStore DecisionsTracking Customer Trends With Elie KatzCStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock speaks with Elie Katz, President and CEO of National Retail Solutions (NRS) about the trends he is seeing in the retail marketplace. With vast retail industry knowledge gained from having owned over a dozen retail establishments, Elie has refined insight into the mindset and needs of the retail business owner. Elie coordinated the creation of the NRSPoint of Sale (POS) system and NRS PAY merchant services, combined with a loyalty and rewards network for IDT’s 5 million+ customers.
2022-03-1123 minCStore DecisionsConversations With Women in Convenience Featuring Joy AlmekiesErin Del Conte, executive editor of CStore Decisions, speaks with Joy Almekies, senior director of food services, Global Partners about her experiences as a Gen X woman in the convenience store industry.
2022-03-0823 min
Shelf ConfidenceWhat Safe Shop Certified means to High'sEvery retailer claims to have the cleanest space, tastiest sandwich and best customer service, but how do consumers know? Meghan Mattern and Michele Truelove of High's convenience stores join the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association to share how they became Safe Shop Certified. The third-party certified, 10-point checklist of safety and sanitation measures is a new program that recognizes retailers for high standards. Shelf Confidence also welcomes John Lofstock, editor of CStore Decisions, to discuss how and why the program started. To learn more, visit safeshopassured.com or email John at jlofstock@wtwhmedia.com.If you...
2022-02-1531 minCStore DecisionsConversations With Women in Convenience Featuring Kendra MeyerCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Kendra Meyer, the vice president of real estate development for Casey's, to learn more about her experiences as a millennial woman in the workforce.
2022-01-3114 minCStore Decisions2022 Social Media Awards PodcastCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte and Seth Bridges, founder and head of product for Rival IQ, discuss the 2022 Social Media Awards. Bridges explains the methodology behind the awards and what the winners are doing well. He also shares best practices on social media for retailers for the year ahead.
2022-01-0645 minCStore DecisionsConversations With Women in Convenience Featuring Amanda ShymanskiCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Amanda Shymanski, digital marketing & advertising manager for QuickChek. Shymanski shares her experiences as a woman in business and what she wishes she knew when she was first starting out.
2021-12-2232 min
CStore DecisionsKeeping Pace With Continuous Regulatory Change at Local, State & Federal Levels.Thomas Mulloy, senior editor with CBDRetailTrends.com and CStore Decisions magazine, welcomes Jeff Ragovin, chief commercial officer with Fyllo, a company whose mission is providing compliance-first solutions for highly regulated industries. Ragovin discusses the difficulties for CBD manufacturers and retailers in navigating a continually shifting regulatory landscape.
2021-12-0633 min
CStore DecisionsThe Impact of Hispanic Shoppers on Convenience RetailJohn Lofstock, editor of CStore Decisions and executive director of the National Advisory Group (NAG), speaks with Horacio Gavilán, of the Hispanic Marketing Council (HMC); and Suzy Silliman, of National Retail Solutions (NRS), about the growing impact Hispanic shoppers are having on the convenience store market.
2021-11-2335 minCStore DecisionsConversations With Women in Convenience Featuring Carly LaBeauErin Del Conte, executive editor with CStore Decisions, speaks with Carly LaBeau, retail accounting administrator for FriendShip Stores and Beck Suppliers. A millennial, LaBeau talks about her experiences in the c-store industry as she celebrates her 11th anniversary with FriendShip, as well as FriendShip’s culture of rewarding employees.
2021-11-2220 min
CStore DecisionsConversations With Women In Convenience Featuring Polly FlinnCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Polly Flinn, president of GetGo and executive vice president of Giant Eagle. Flinn has seen the convenience store industry evolve over the years. Today, more businesses are becoming more accepting of different styles and working to call in more voices. Flinn shares some of her experiences over her more than 25-year career and offers advice to the younger generation.
2021-08-2717 min
CStore DecisionsMike Kostyo Talks Food and Delivery TrendsCStore Decisions Editor-in-Chief John Lofstock and Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speak with Datassential Trendologist Mike Kostyo about food and delivery trends.
2021-08-2041 minCStore DecisionsConversations With Women in Convenience Featuring Sandy DeelCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Sandy Deel, director of HR services and benefits for Thorntons Inc., to learn more about Deel's experiences as a Gen X woman in the convenience store industry. Deel discusses how things have changed since the era of power suits, and how having a mentor helped her navigate her career, as well as advice for the younger generation.
This podcast is sponsored by Bic.
2021-07-3017 minCStore DecisionsCStore Talks With Candice ClarkCandice Clark, CFO of Clipper Petroleum, talks with Erin Del Conte, executive editor of CStore Decisions about her experiences as a women in the convenience store industry, and the importance of creating environments that welcome a more diverse workforce.
2021-06-2823 min
CStore DecisionsPilot Flying J's Tyler Tanaka on mobile apps, contactless payments, drive-thrus, and morePilot Flying J was recently recognized in CStore Decisions' 2021 Tech Innovation Awards for their work with contactless payments. To learn more, Erin Del Conte and Frank Beard reached out to Tyler Tanaka—the vice president of digital and loyalty marketing at Pilot Flying J.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including why Pilot Flying J is leaning-in on mobile app strategies, contactless payments, and even drive-thrus.
If you missed our coverage of the 2021 Tech Innovation Awards, be sure to click the link below:
https://cstoredecisions.com/2021/05/12/2021-tech-innovation-awards/
2021-06-1138 min
CStore DecisionsPatrick Raycroft on EV charging and what's next now that the outdoor EMV deadline has passedWhat's next for convenience retailers now that the outdoor EMV deadline has passed, and what should they consider when thinking about the business case for EV charging? Patrick Raycroft, W. Capra Consulting Group's convenience and energy vertical lead, joins Erin and Frank in this episode of CStore Decisions Live.
Topics include:
- What the EMV deadline means for retailers
- Point-to-point encryption (P2PE) and tokenization
- The challenges retailers face with EV charging
- Why EV charging makes sense for some retailers but not others
- And much more...
Click below to read Raycroft's latest article, "What Comes After...
2021-05-2555 min
CStore DecisionsConversations With Women in Convenience_ Kelsey CapellinoCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte talks with Kelsey Capellino, category manager for United Pacific. Capellino, talks about the challenges of being a millennial woman in the workforce. Kelsey and Erin discuss generational differences in finding one's voice as a woman in business as well as navigating the pressures of social media, balancing family and work, expectations, having difficult conversations and setting boundaries.
2021-05-1424 min
Data Engineering PodcastBuilding Your Data Warehouse On Top Of PostgreSQLSummary
There is a lot of attention on the database market and cloud data warehouses. While they provide a measure of convenience, they also require you to sacrifice a certain amount of control over your data. If you want to build a warehouse that gives you both control and flexibility then you might consider building on top of the venerable PostgreSQL project. In this episode Thomas Richter and Joshua Drake share their advice on how to build a production ready data warehouse with Postgres.
Announcements
Hello and welcome to the Data Engineering Podcast, the...
2021-05-141h 15CStore DecisionsConversations With Women in Convenience _ Stephanie DoliveiraCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Stephanie Doliveria, vice president of human resources for Sheetz, about her experiences as a women in convenience and member of Gen X, the challenges women still face today, as well as how Sheetz is leading the way with a new paid maternity and parental leave policy. She also shares advice for young women starting their careers.
2021-04-2327 minCStore DecisionsDigging into the new HR report from CSD and Humetrics. Also, Buc-ee’s and DoorDash in the news.How is labor management adjusting in the age of COVID-19? For the 13th consecutive year, CStore Decisions and Humetrics have collaborated on the annual Human Resources Benchmarking Survey, which polled c-store leaders about HR practices, labor challenges, and headwinds. Erin and Frank unpack the 2021 report.
Buc-ee's is also in the news for expanding to Kentucky, and DoorDash is making noise about their two new dark store formats. (No, not DashMart. They're testing one called Dandelion Organic Grocery and another called A-Mart Asian Grocery)
2021-04-2235 minCStore DecisionsConversations With Women In Convenience_Lisa Dell'AlbaCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Lisa Dell'Alba, CEO of Square One Markets, about navigating the unique challenges women face in the workforce. Dell'Alba talks about finding her voice as she stepped into her father's shoes as CEO of the company, coming into your own in the business world, and navigating your own and societal expectations.
2021-03-2534 minCStore DecisionsGetGo's Jon Cox on checkout-free technology, delivery, new consumer habits, and more.Erin and Frank chat with Jon Cox, GetGo's vice president and chief merchandising officer. This episode, sponsored by Apter Industries, dives deep into changing consumer habits, GetGo's use of Grabango's checkout-free technology, delivery trends, and what's on the horizon for fuel and convenience retailers.
2021-03-1939 minCStore DecisionsWhat's in store for convenience retailers in 2021? Erin and Frank speak with John Lofstock.What's in store for convenience retailers in 2021, and is eCommerce actually taking over the world? Erin Del Conte and and Frank Beard speak with John Lofstock, the vice president of CStore Decisions and executive director of the National Advisory Group and Young Executives Organization.
2021-02-1235 min
CStore DecisionsCliff's Director of Foodservice on Category Changes, TrendsCStore Decisions talks with Cliff's Local Market Director of Foodservice Derek Thurston about its foodservice program this past year and its plans for 2021. The Central New York-based-, 19-store chain has experienced sales dips in the breakfast daypart, for example, but some foodservice items, like whole pizzas and local beans, have seen huge success.
2021-01-2216 minCStore Decisions2021 Social Media AwardsFor this year's social media awards, CStore Decisions partnered with social media analytics company Rival IQ to track 65 convenience store chains' performance across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter from November 2019 to November 2020. In this podcast, CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte and Rival IQ Founder Seth Bridges discuss the award winners. Bridges shares insights on the methodology behind the awards as well as what other convenience stores can learn from what the winners did well.
2021-01-0833 minCStore DecisionsSocial Media Trends in 2021CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with social media expert Gini Dietrich, founder of Spin Sucks and author of the book “Spin Sucks,” about social media trends as we head into 2021. Dietrich shares insights on how the pandemic has impacted social media trends, which platforms convenience store retailers should be targeting and top tips for success.
2020-12-1818 min
CStore DecisionsCBD Market Insights With Casey Taylor of CivicScienceCStore Decisions Senior Editor Thomas Mulloy, who also manages companion website CBDRetailTrends.com, talks with Casey Taylor, vice president of client development for market research firm CivicScience about growing opportunities and strategies for brick-and-mortar retailers looking to join the CBD marketplace.
2020-12-0731 min
CStore DecisionsTobacco Update with Tobacco SuperstoresJoe Marelle, the CEO of Tobacco Superstores in Marion, Arkansas, sits down with CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock to talk about the state of tobacco and nicotine and what to expect over the next year.
2020-12-0440 minCStore Decisions2021 Trends to WatchCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Daniel Burrus, global futurist, speaker and best-selling author to learn more about the tech disruption on the horizon for 2021 and how c-stores can position themselves for success.
2020-11-1843 min
the Joshua Schall Audio ExperienceFrank Beard Shares Why COVID-19 Was a "Dress Rehearsal" For Future of Fuel & Convenience RetailingThis episode of Pivotal, we talk with Frank Beard, Director of Special Projects at CStore Decisions and Director at Shop Safe, about the huge changes happening within the convenience sales channel. Frank Beard broke onto the convenience and fuel retailing thought leadership scene by traveling across the country and only eating at convenience stores for 30 days. We discuss how COVID-19 has affected convenience and fuel retailing and why those trends are only a dress rehearsal for the future. Finally, we expand on the future of c-stores by discussing third-party delivery start-ups like goPuff, Instacart, and DoorDash, channel consolidation, CPG...
2020-11-1241 min
CStore DecisionsFood and Beverage Trends to WatchWGSN Director of Food & Drink and established trendologist Kara Nielsen spoke with CStore Decisions about the latest food and beverage trends to come out of the pandemic — from oat milk to canned cocktails to hatch chile and more — and what to look for in years to come.
2020-11-0629 min
CStore DecisionsCStore Decisions Live Interview with Terry GallagherTerry Gallagher, president of Smoker Friendly International, sat down with CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock to discuss the state of the tobacco industry, pending legislation and how to be a responsible tobacco retailer.
2020-10-2827 minCStore DecisionsWhatley Oil Co. Grows Zelmo's Zip InCStore Decisions' Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Slaton Whatley, director of operations of Whatley Oil Co., and a third-generation member of the family business.
The Columbus, Ga.-based company operates Zelmo’s Zip In Convenience Stores. Slaton shares the chain’s growth plans in the months ahead. Among other initiatives, the company is remodeling its fleet of company-owned stores in Georgia and Alabama, building new-to-industry locations and is set to build a new headquarters and bulk wholesale plant in 2021.
2020-10-1638 minCStore DecisionsEntrepreneur Engineers Set Sights on Health Conscious Convenience Store CustomersBoston-based fruit smoothie machine maker smoodi is the brainchild of a pair of engineers who also harbor an entrepreneurial spirit. Senior Editor Thomas Mulloy and CStore Decisions Live talked with Munich-born Pascal Kriesche, one half of the duo collaborating to deliver fruit-based smoothies to customers looking for a refreshing beverage that’s healthy, fresh and clean – while featuring transparency in ingredients. Plus, as the machine mixes the customized healthy beverages, it’s also fun to watch!
2020-10-0625 minCStore DecisionsThe Hassan Family Grows Power Market Convenience StoresCStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Sal Hassan, president and CEO of H&S Energy, and his son Amir Hassan, operations coordinator for H&S Energy. The family-owned company is expanding its network of company-owned Power Market convenience stores and ExtraMile locations, while launching a wholesale distribution branch, proprietary delivery service, loyalty program and developing its first cashierless store. Listen as we talk about running a family business, and H&S Energy's growth plans.
2020-09-1826 minCStore DecisionsCWU Executive Chef on Campus Changes, Fresh Food ConceptCStore Decisions catches up with Central Washington University (CWU) Executive Chef Joe Ritchie about the campus' new Fresh Bar Concept, which offers healthy food options using fresh produce grown right on campus, as well as some more traditional comfort food staples.
At the start of the fall semester, the campus dining program is also launching mobile ordering and working to keep dining options fresh, safe and convenient for students and staff.
2020-09-1119 min
CStore DecisionsSpeed Mart’s Entrepreneurial SpiritViral "Joe" Patel immigrated to the United States at the age of 10 along with his immediate family. By his teenage years, he was working in his grandfather's convenience store. Now, he and his brother — along with other family members — operate a small chain begun with the purchase and renovation of one store, growing with the new build of another and acquisitions of a handful more. This family-owned business never misses a chance to maximize its resources — doing many of its own renovations, embracing energy efficiency and pursuing new revenue via multi-function financial kiosks. Join C-Store Decisions Senior Editor Thomas Mulloy in a c...
2020-09-0826 minCStore DecisionsWhat is Blockchain?CStore Decisions’ Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Jeremie Myhren, chief information officer for Rockford, Ill.-based Road Ranger convenience stores, and the chairman of the Young Executives Organization (YEO) about blockchain.
Blockchain was invented in 2008 in response to the financial crisis. But what exactly is it, how does it work and what do convenience store retailers need to know?
Myhren gives a basic overview of blockchain for those who aren’t familiar with the concept, and then shares how it’s being used today in retail — including at companies like Walmart and Starbucks. He also talks about how it’s rel...
2020-08-2117 minCStore DecisionsChris Postlewaite Talks Cruizers FoodserviceCStore Decisions speaks with North Carolina-based Cruizers Director of Foodservice Chris Postlewaite, who joined the 26-store chain in May. Postlewaite shares his plans for improving upon and expanding Cruizers' foodservice program, with a focus on pizza and fried chicken.
2020-07-2313 minCStore DecisionsIrfan Tejani Talks Charge Up GrowthCStore Decisions magazine is recognizing Charge Up convenience stores as a Chain to Watch in the year ahead. CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with young executive entrepreneur Irfan Tejani, the president and CEO of Tejani Holdings Inc., the parent company of Charge Up, about his path in growing Charge Up from one to 40 locations in just 10 years, as well his growth plans for the future and his advice for other young executives.
2020-07-1032 min
CStore DecisionsSelling CBD: Compliance & Legal IssuesAs the Hemp-CBD marketplace evolves amidst an inconsistent regulatory framework, brick-and-mortar retailers are faced with questions about product quality, choosing reputable suppliers and complying with federal, state and local guidelines. Selling CBD host and CStore Decisions Senior Editor Thomas Mulloy welcomes Daniel McGee, chief legal officer with Solari Hemp, and Chris Howard, vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer with Forth CBD, to help make sense of it all.
2020-06-3031 min
CStore DecisionsAiFi NanoStoreCStore Decisions' Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Steve Gu, CEO and co-founder of AiFi, to learn more about NanoStore and the future of autonomous checkout.
2020-06-2920 min
CStore DecisionsNRSPodcastCStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock talks with Suzy Silliman, the Senior Vice President, Data Strategy and Sales for National Retail Solutions (NRS) about the impact independent urban convenience stores are having on mainstream retail trends.
2020-06-2625 min
CStore DecisionsC-Store Oracle: Nicotine On DemandMichelle Arthur, loss prevention and tobacco buyer for Montana's Town Pump convenience store chain, joins C-Store Oracle and CStore Decisions Senior Editor Thomas Mulloy to discuss tobacco-free nicotine on demand products, merchandising and sales trends.
2020-06-1922 min
CStore DecisionsKum & Go Works to Be Part of the ChangeCStore Decisions’ Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Tanner Krause, president of Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go, which operates more than 400 convenience stores in 11 states.
Following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and the resulting outcry and protests across the country, a lot of businesses are asking questions, including “how do we become part of the change that is needed — not just for this moment but long-term?”
Krause shares how Kum & Go is working to be part of the change, especially by listening to the voices of people of color and educating themselves and their team, and how conv...
2020-06-0417 minCStore DecisionsStandard Store Talks Autonomous CheckoutCStore Decisions’ Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Evan Shiue, vice president of finance and strategy for Standard Cognition. Standard Cognition was one of the first tech startups in the autonomous checkout space. It operates a 1,100-square-foot cashier-less convenience store called Standard Store in the heart of San Francisco. That store is open to customers and fully equipped with Standard Cognition’s autonomous checkout solution. Evan is speaking about Standard Store, autonomous checkout technology and trends ahead for autonomous checkout in 2020.
2020-06-0111 minCStore DecisionsWeigels PodcastCStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock speaks with Mary Brookshire, who worked on the frontlines at Weigel's convenience stores for 41 years. Mary retired on May 1 and shared some of her most memorable experiences from the past four decades.
2020-05-2015 minCStore DecisionsC-Store Oracle: Refuel Discusses Double Quick AcquisitionMt. Pleasant, S.C.-based, Refuel has grown from a five-store chain to a fleet of 84 convenience stores across three states in a little over one year. Mark Jordan, founder of Refuel, and Travis Smith, chief administrative officer and general counsel of Refuel, talk with CStore Decisions' Executive Editor Erin Del Conte about its latest Double Quick acquisition and other initiatives.
2020-05-1817 minCStore DecisionsC-Store Oracle: Position Your C-Store Chain to Thrive When the Pandemic EndsCStore Decisions' Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc., about what convenience store retailers can do now to prepare to best position themselves to thrive when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
2020-05-1120 minCStore DecisionsFriendshipPodcastFINALGreg Ehrlich, President of Beck Suppliers, talks with CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock about the company's FriendShip convenience store chain and the current state of convenience retailing.
2020-05-0628 minCStore DecisionsDailys PodcastMP3CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock speaks with John Rodriguez, the Chief Operating Officer for First Coast Energy/Daily's Convenience Stores about its donation of 2,000 care packages to those in need during the COVID-19 crises.
2020-04-2213 min
CStore DecisionsCOVID-19 Update: Human Resources Considerations During CoronavirusShortly after the Humetrics/CStore Decisions annual HR Benchmarking Survey concluded, COVID-19 arrived creating a very different retail landscape. Mel Kleiman, founder of Humetrics, speaks with Erin Del Conte, executive editor of CStore Decisions, about the annual HR survey, tried-and-true human resources best practices and what c-store retailers can do from an HR standpoint to be successful despite COVID-19.
2020-04-1430 minCStore DecisionsCOVID-19 Update Podcast: Crosby's Responds to COVID-19Doug Galli, vice president and general manager for Reid Stores/ Crosby's, and the board chairman of the National Advisory Group (NAG) sat down with CStore Decisions to share how COVID-19 is challenging the c-store business and how his chain is responding.
2020-04-1014 minCStore DecisionsC-Store Technology Oracle: How C-Stores Are Approaching Robotics & AICStore Decisions speaks with Frank White, founder of White Knight Marketing, about how convenience stores are approaching artificial intelligence and robotics, and what retailers need to consider before embarking on these new initiatives.
2020-04-0720 min
CStore DecisionsChoice Market Leads with InnovationCStore Decisions recently spoke with Mike Fogarty, CEO of Denver-based Choice Market, about how Choice is standing out with better-for-you food, an omnichannel approach and new technology. The chain is introducing a new delivery platform, with plans to offer the entire store product base for delivery using its own fleet of electric vehicle drivers — ideas all chains can benefit from as they look to find new ways to serve customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Choice is also gearing up to offer frictionless checkout with the opening of its fourth location.
2020-03-1936 minCStore DecisionsSelling CBD: VERC Enterprises Moving Full Speed Ahead on CBDNew England convenience store chain VERC Enterprises CEO Leo Vercollone talks about his company's robust commitment to entering the CBD-hemp marketplace through a partnership with Ceres Natural Remedies and his personal experience with CBD products.
2020-02-2927 minCStore DecisionsC-Store Technology Oracle: Social Media Trends Ahead for 2020Mari Smith, social media thought leader and premier Facebook marketing expert, shares social media best practices and trends convenience store retailers should consider for 2020.
2020-01-0322 minCStore DecisionsC-Store Technology Oracle: What C-Stores Can Learn From the Airport EnvironmentRamon Lo, publisher of Airport Experience News, shares his insights on how the airport industry is adapting to the new trends and technology disruption also impacting the convenience store industry.
2019-12-1938 minCStore DecisionsC-Store Technology Oracle: Autonomous CheckoutRichard Crone, CEO of Crone Consulting and Heidi Liebenguth, managing partner of Crone Consulting, dive deep into what convenience store retailers should keep in mind when evaluating autonomous checkout opportunities, and what to do now to prepare themselves for frictionless checkout.
2019-09-0440 minCStore DecisionsC-Store Technology Oracle: Biometrics and C-Stores of the FutureAaron McLean, chief operating officer for Stuzo, shares information about the company's C-Store Future Vision Platform that predicts what c-stores of the future might look like. Nicola Buck, head of marketing at BP shares information on a lab test BP did featuring biometrics at the pump and other frictionless initiatives including BPme.
2019-06-0625 minCStore DecisionsC-Store Technology Oracle: Anticipating Disruption & Tech Trends Ahead for 2019C-Store Technology Oracle speaks with Daniel Burrus, a global futurist and best selling author, about the biggest technology trends set to impact convenience store retailers in 2019.
2019-03-1432 min