Conv&carwash mag july aug 2015

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JULY | AUGUST 2015

Canada’s most read Canadian owned and operated Convenience, Retail Petroleum and Carwash Publication

PM41670539

CSEXPO DELIVERS INNOVATION TO CANADA’S C-STORE INDUSTRY

HBC – OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND ELECTRIC PRODUCTS

THE CHANGING FACE OF MOBILE PAYMENTS BEYOND RFID

HEALTHY CHOICES MEAN BETTER SALES


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NEW!

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Indulgent snacking from PILLSBURY and

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CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

Cover Story

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CSExpo – Post Show Report on Canada’s most innovative convenience industry trade event

Industry & Technology

Instore, Nutrition & HR/Staffing

12

15

Kesseltronics App improves efficiency in carwash mobile payments

22

Digital Loyalty Programs prove to be strong sales drivers

27

Healthy Choices Good For You Industry personality Tom Humphreys discusses the opportunities for category growth in good-for-you products

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Mobile Payments The landscape is changing. Are you positioned?

Responsible Retailing The Western Convenience Stores Association continues to work on a number of fronts.

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Electronic Products Category is a rising star in C-store

3

Carwash Technology

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Going Beyond RFID with carwash loyalty system innovation

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Winter ice can mean carwash headaches Rick Metz offers advice

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PEI Women Conference goes beyond all expectations

Health & Beauty Potential, potential

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South of the Border Rutter’s Farm Stores changes the merchandizing picture with new vault doors that ‘WOW’

Upcoming Events October 11 – 14, 2015 NACS/PEI show Las Vegas, NV www.nacsshow.com

November 2 – 4, 2015 Gulf CarWash Car Care Expo Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre Dubai, UAE www.gulfcarwash.com

September 23 – 25, 2015 2015 National Convenience Industry Summit Rimrock Resort, Banff, AB

www.NACDA.ca

February 16 – 18, 2016 WPMA 2016 The Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas

www.wpma.com


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JULY / AUGUST

Publisher’s Message

PUBLISHER Brenda Jane Johnstone bjjohnstone@convenienceandcarwash.com EDITOR Kelly Gray editor@convenienceandcarwash.com

The CSExpo was an example of what happens when people get creative and go out on a limb to try something new and offer retailers and vendors alike, the time to just talk and get to know one another. This was how the day went on May 27th in Richmond, BC during the one day only CSExpo. As everything new, there were glitches but nothing took away from the excitement both vendors and retailers had entering the CSExpo store. Different than other traditional trade events, the CSExpo was a fully merchandized convenience store. The refrigeration units, supplied by Western Refrigeration were stocked with products as those you’d see in any convenience store. The shelves and rolling gondolas were merchandized with the latest and greatest products and retailers were seen in groups speaking with the sponsoring vendors. A few short hours into the day I had a brief conversation with one vendor who, with huge grin on his face said, “Brenda, count us in for next year. I’ve already signed 29 new stores and I’ve just gotten started!” Many of the vendors were excited about the CSExpo format, “I like the interaction we’ve had from retailers. We’ve had better conversations than we’ve been able to have at the other tradeshows because we have all the competitors products lined up on the Hot Beverage counter it’s easier to discuss options and differences with the retailers”

SALES Cody Johnstone 416-838-4674 codyj@convenienceandcarwash.com Brenda Johnstone 204-489-4215 bjjohnstone@convenienceandcarwash.com Cathie Fedak 905-665-6071 cathie@convenienceandcarwash.com DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Doug Coates, Edge Advertising Keith House, Ad Production DIGITAL/SOCIAL MEDIA Eva Chambers echambers@convenienceandcarwash.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ian Burton, P.D. McLaren Limited Scott Findlay, Core-Mark Int’l Kim Hansen, MI Petro Leonard Hornstein David Hoy, Peninsula Co-Op Andrew Klukas, WCSA Dave Watson, The Chamois & Convenience Store Ltd. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gunnar Beauregard Eva Chambers Brian Garavaglia Kelly Gray Fiona Lake Waslander Luke Grant Tom Heavern Sean McGrann Randy Wimenta CIRCULATION James Gordon subscriptions@convenienceandcarwash.com

Brenda Jane Johnstone Publisher

WEBSITE www.convenienceandcarwash.com PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT No: 41670539 Return Undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department 543 Borebank Street Winnipeg, MB R3N 1E8

Come Join a Growing community of Canadian vendors and retailers who are dedicated to making the Convenience, Retail Petroleum and Carwash Industry thrive. www.convenienceandcarwash.com twitter.com/carwashcanada www.facebook-.com/convenienceandcarwashcanada www.pinterest.com/cstore_carwash/

Convenience & Carwash would like to introduce you to our new advertisers. Belanger page 23, 24, 28 Kesseltronics page 13 NACDA page 20 North Shore Tobacco page 10


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

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ResponsibleRetailing According to Western Convenience Stores Association (WCSA) President Andrew Klukas, there is much to discuss amid the recent changes to the flavoured tobacco regulations. He is speaking about the news that Alberta has decided to take a heavier hand regarding sale of menthol smoking products following the recent win by the province’s NDP. The sale of menthol products was previously exempt from the ban imposed by Alberta on flavoured tobacco items. According to Klukas the intent of the regulation was to reduce youth smoking. His Alberta members report that menthol tobacco is primarily consumed by women in the mid age category and not children and youth. Now he is concerned that the regulation may harm legitimate tobacco retailers while making menthol both more accessible to youth due to contraband, and more attractive due to lower pricing The announcement from the new Notley Government in Alberta to ban menthol came on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘No Tobacco Day’ (May 31). This year’s WHO theme focused on stamping out contraband. With a single swipe of the pen, the Alberta government has potentially given the market for menthol cigarettes over to the contraband side. “This move to ban menthol will certainly strengthen illegal trade in cigarettes and reduce the ability of gatekeepers such as trained convenience store clerks to keep tobacco products out the hands of underage consumers,” says Klukas. To help combat the challenges of contraband tobacco the WCSA has set up www.notlegal.ca. This website is a good way for people to report sales of illegal tobacco. “Its also a great way for us to collect data on the issue,” says the WCSA president. “Contraband tobacco is not a victimless crime. Monies that are not collected through tobacco taxes mean a shortfall in government revenues for public programs. When people buy illegal tobacco we all take a hit. Our data collection gives us the ability to better analyse the situation and be better informed when we meet with provincial and federal ministers and government staff.”

Another important way the Association is networking with its community is through trade events such as the recent CS Expo. Held in Richmond this past May, the event scored with good representation from all sides of the convenience retail sector. “Unlike a traditional trade show, all competitors were placed close together so that attendees could really discuss the merits of products and services and compare more effectively,” says Klukas. “There was a lot of buzz in the room and we had a mountain of great feedback that will help us fine tune the show for next year,” he says. He adds that the relationships built at the Expo will also make it possible to work more closely with retailers and vendors to fine-tune the WCSA’s lobbying efforts on a variety of fronts.

Klukas has been surprised by a move in other parts of the country to have gas retailers place global warming warning signs on gas pumps. He suggests that this could be injurious to retailers. “Why are retailers singled out to host this signage?” he asks, pointing out that there are a myriad of other locations for this messaging and that retailers should not have to bear the burden of installing and maintaining the placards.

As well, provinces such as Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario are stepping up their efforts to regulate Vapes. Promoted as a smoking cessation tool and a more healthful manner to ingest smoke itself, vaping is a rapidly growing activity that has seen a wealth of ‘grey area’ shops open to sell products that include nicotine. In the absence of federal legislation to set a level playing field convenience stores largely refrained from entering this growing market. Unlike the Vape shops convenience stores are already bound by regulations that govern their sales of cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco. Under guidelines from Health Canada, those that legally sell tobacco cannot sell many of the products offered at Vape Shops. To do so would jeopardize their license to sell tobacco. The concern is whether there will be a level playing field for everyone selling vapour products once legislation is put in place. Manitoba proposed regulations (Bill 30) would prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, limit advertising and promotion, and ban their use in most indoor, public places. Similar laws are in place in both Ontario and Quebec. However, “The proposed law would give Vape shops a privileged position and allow them an exclusive right to sample and display vapour products. This is a slap in the face of the industry, which has independently been treating vapour products like tobacco and has adopted a recommendation to age test and not sell to youth. The industry has spent a lot of money and effort to make C-store clerks the best-trained gatekeepers of age restricted products. “Whether it is tobacco, gaming products or beverage alcohol, Canada’s C-stores are best positioned to be the responsible retailers of choice. Our challenge now is to get regulators on side. Toward this end we will be continuing our meetings with government and industry to find common ground that benefits both operators and society.”


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www.core-mark.com

We are passionate about the business We are committed to our Customers. Come see for yourself.

Whether you are an independent retailer or a part of a national chain, Core-Mark offers each of its customers valuable customized solutions and services designed to help you grow your business. We offer resources to help drive sales and profits: • Product Trends & Optimized Offering • Regional Demographics & Space Rationalization • Data Analysis & Competitive Comparison We are committed to providing superior customer service while delivering quality products and value-added resources to our customer.

Alberta

British Columbia

Saskatchewan, Manitoba & Ontario

Mario Molinari

Damian Botteselle

Chris Bayley

8225-30th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2C 1H7 Email: Mario.Molinari@core-mark.com Phone (403) 720-3848

7800 Riverfront Gate, Burnaby, BC V5J 5L3 Email: Damian.Botteselle@core-mark.com Phone (604) 430-2181

99 Bannister Road, Winnipeg, MB R2R 0S2 Email: Chris.Bayley@core-mark.com Phone (204) 633-9244


Where Retailers and Vendors Meet at the Store

By: Eva Chambers

CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

“Rather than separate people through the traditional tradeshow booth arrangement, the Western Convenience Stores Association (WCSA) had a vision for the CSEXPO event that was more open and engaging. One that would allow retailers to compare competing products and services in a natural C-Store environment.” Andrew Klukas, WCSA President

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The over 250 retailers who attended the recent Convenience Store Expo in Richmond, BC., were the first to enjoy walking through a Convenience Store site while meeting vendors, peers, and industry experts. The event was hosted by the Western Convenience Store Association in partnership with Convenience & Carwash Canada Magazine and CoreMark International. Thirty one of the top C-Store and petroleum equipment brands participated in the event and filled the CS Expo store (staged inside a conference hall) shelves, coolers, counters and even the forecourt with their products. Meeting with retailers inside the store gave vendors and retailers an opportunity to see their products from a customer’s perspective. Since this was the first event of its kind held in Western Canada, we’ve included many images for you to browse so you can visualize this venue. “The CSEXPO was an example of what happens when people get creative and go out on a limb to try something new and innovative,” said Brenda Johnstone, Publisher of Convenience & Carwash Canada Magazine. “A few short hours into the day a vendor approached me smiling, he told me to count him in for next year’s event since he had already signed 29 new stores up for his products.” This is the kind of excitement and feedback event organizers heard throughout the day while retailers enjoyed trying new products and engaged in interesting conversations. The coffees and lattes flowed freely while vendors served cool new beverages on the floor. Coolers and counters were packed to the brim with hundreds of beverage and foodservice items, and the store shelves featured all the best brands customers will be looking for across Canada. The atmosphere was buzzing with engagement and genuine conversation between sponsors and retailers. This is exactly the kind of unique interaction the WCSA had in mind when they first visualized the CS EXPO. The Western Convenience Store Association (WCSA) saw the need for an event that offered more direct, local networking opportunities to retailers and sponsors than most traditional trade show venues offer. “We wanted to see people connecting meaningfully on the floor, learning from each other, and initiate deals that would improve business while strengthening the industry as a whole,” said Andrew Klukas, WCSA President. “We built a single booth — a fully stocked convenience store inside the venue that allowed visitors to make side-by-side comparisons while meeting with sponsors behind many of the products.” The local community also welcomed the event to their city. Mayor Malcolm Brodie of Richmond, B.C. welcomed the CS EXPO to his city and sent this greeting to conference organizers, “We are pleased that you have chosen Richmond as the host city for your expo. Our vibrant community has the quality, services, and attractions to ensure that your event will be a huge success, and will be remembered by all attendees for years to come”.


CSEXPO 2015 EVENT PHOTOS

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HERE’S WHAT OUR SPONSORS AND RETAILERS HAD TO SAY CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA   9 of Roxie Price, Manager, SUBtext, University Victoria Student’s Society www.uvss.ca/subtext

KICKING THINGS OFF AT THE WCSA SOI

Retailers were also offered a variety of educational sessions offering guidance The CSExpo kicked off on May 26th on topics that ranged from store lottery with the annual WCSA Networking event. options to ways to keep workers safe onAttendees heard Andrew Klukas, WCSA’s site. You can see the complete list of eduPresident, and Tom Humphrys, Petroleum cational settings in our event guide found Operations Manager at Peninsula Co-op, www.thewcsa.com/events/62. provide important industry updates on economic developments and trending WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK AND INVITE YOU TO THE industry issues. The event keynote speaker was Sharon 2016 CSEXPO Evans, Principal and Founder of Firefli This event was only made possible by Consulting Inc., (Manitoba), where she pro- many valuable sponsors and the retailers vides business growth strategies for large that attended the event. Special thanks to and small businesses. Sharon motivated at- Core Mark International, our Event Title tendees by encouraging them to reach for Sponsor, and to Western Refrigeration and Continental Fixtures for providing store their goals. A lively reception followed the speakers fixtures and refrigeration units. If you like to see a detailed guide about and featured world-class flamenco dancers and renowned musicians. Cristina Benitez the CSEXPO, please visit http://thewcsa. (Spain) was the main performer, followed com/events/62. There you will find a link by Liron Man (Israel, Spain). Davide to our event guide packed with valuable Sampaolo (Rome) was the percussionist information about the following topics and Jafelin Helten (Vancouver) was the and a list of our event speakers. singer. Ornella Cappello (Rome) did Pal- • Refrigeration mas (hand clapping). This fun and relaxed • Dairy atmosphere gave retailers an opportunity • Frozen Dispensed and Cold Beverages to learn about industry issues, relax, and • Hot Beverages network with sponsors before getting a • Foodservice sneak preview of the CSEXPO Store, which • Snacks • Confectionary opened the following day. • Carwashes • Payment solutions THE CSEXPO STORE

OPENS ITS DOORS

The Expo Store opened its doors on May We hope to see all of you in 2016 at the 2nd 27th to over 250 retailers who came to CS EXPO which will be held in the Lower Mainland in May 2016. If you missed the see a model C-Store set up. this year, you won’t want The store was packed with PLANS FOR THE Expo to miss it in spring of 2016! the best products available NEXT CS EXPO Plans for the next CS Expo and equipped with BestARE ALREADY are already underway and the In-Class equipment driven by the latest technology. UNDERWAY AND location and dates will be released and published on the In a few cases when the THE LOCATION WCSA website (http://thewactual equipment was not AND DATES WILL csa.com/). The 2016 CSEXPO on site, knowledgeable BE RELEASED AND event registration will also be industry professionals were PUBLISHED ON THE announced in the next issue on hand to discuss almost WCSA WEBSITE of Convenience & Carwash any topic or technology Canada Magazine (www.conretailers would wanted to venienceandcarwash.com). hear about. Thanks to the (http://thewcsa.com/) If you attended the 2015 event title sponsor, Coreevent the WCSA would apMark International, the product displays were set up using the preciate your feedback. You can leave your most successful planograms and retailers comments on their contact/feedback form appreciated seeing actual store layouts at www.thewcsa.com/content/contact-us. they could implement in their own stores.

“Overall, a great experience. I thought the concept of the “store-set up” for the expo was very clever; it made a lot of sense to group categories in the space in a way that mirrors what you would typically see in a c-store. So attendees entered the space from the “entrance” to the “store” and proceed through in the typical fashion that a browsing customer would. This allowed attendees to focus on one area of their business at a time instead of bouncing around from booth to booth, covering all areas in disorganized way.”

Scott Cardno, Vice President Business Development – Domo Gasoline Corporation Ltd. www.domo.ca

“As a retailer, I had all the uninterrupted time needed to speak to a few vendors. Which you don’t get a big shows as you are scanning the show just to see it all.”

Kevin Collette, Vice President of Sales at Compact Tunnel Organization. Distributing Sonny’s The Car Wash Factories’ www.sonnysdirect.com

“From Sonny’s The Car Wash Factories’ perspective, we felt that the c-store layout concept was new and innovative, the flow through the room was very inviting and natural”, said Kevin Collette of Sonny’s Carwash Systems. “We liked the mix of people attending the show and found the operators very open to discussions about our products and services! The informal nature of the conference was effective – conversations were easy and again very natural!”

Brad Bossert Bulloch, Technologies www.bullochtech.com

“Having a Customer-facing monitor gets attention. Especially with transaction information displaying the customers purchases. As we’ve seen at the CS EXPO everything wants to be noticed. The Bulloch system delivers content the customer wants to see and in the process helps increase basket sizes. Touch Screen, PCI certified, dependable, when dependability matters. Retailers commented on how crisp and clean the new touch screen interface was. The large bright controls were visually appealing and very user friendly.”

Jason Sparrow, Marketing Manager, DSL www.dslinc.com

“Retailers certainly reacted positively to all of our products. The Franke FoamMaster probably received the most positive attention. I think that a lot of retailers were impressed with the level of technology and overall sophistication of the machine. It’s something new that most people haven’t seen before, and once word got around the show that we were serving great cappuccinos and lattes, we were lined up for hours.”


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Award Winning Premiere magazine published for the convenience store, petroleum and carwash industries.

Reach Diverse New Markets. Advertise Today! Free Subscriptions! go online to subscribe visit: www.convenienceandcarwash.com To register your company to be listed in our NEW REAL-TIME Resource Directory and the NEW REAL-TIME Carwash Buyers Guide. For advertising information contact Cody Johnstone at 416-838-4674 or email: codyj@convenienceandcarwash.com


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

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By Gunnar Beauregard

JULY / AUGUST

Mobile Payments at the Carwash New Kesseltronics Carwash Activation and Payment App Increases Convenience, Safety and Security for Carwash Customers and Operators

S

martphones

have

quickly

T

he Carwash Connection –

embedded themselves into our Traditionally, customers purchase lives. In less than 10 years, they have carwashes by going inside the advanced from being a minor blip convenience store to acquire a carwash on the technological landscape to code or by purchasing a carwash code being the dominant force. Customers made this directly at the fuel dispensers. The customer happen. The technology provided a right-sized then activates the wash by entering the code solution to basic communication, socializing into a keypad located at the entrance of the and individual entertainment. Currently, there carwash. A subset of washes use payment are many articles in trade magazines just like tellers located directly at the entrance of the this one talking about what comes next, and the wash. Customers use the tellers to select their answer is mobile payments. wash, tender payment and activate the wash. Convenience has been the main driver of The current systems have the following chalthe growth in the number of people who make lenges for the driver and operator: mobile payments using their Smartphone. In • At code-only sites, the inconvenience of gofact, the results of a December 2013 study coming into the c-store is a barrier to purchase missioned by online statistics portal Statista • Due to the varied size of vehicles, the keyshowed that when asked the question “What are pads and tellers are difficult to reach for the the main reasons you started using mobile paymajority of customers. This is a safety risk as ments?” the top answer, with 37.1% of responmany customers partially exit their vehicles dents selecting it, was “I liked the convenience in order to interact with the keypads/tellers. of mobile payments.” • Payment tellers are a security risk as they are In late 2012, coffeehouse chain Starbucks crea potential target for credit-card skimming ated a mobile-phone app that allows its customfraud ers to pay for their purchase at any of the com• The customer interaction with payment tellpany’s locations using their Smartphone without Screen capture of Kessltronics mobile ers is infrequent and unfamiliar the need to swipe a credit card or exchange cash payment app. running on an iPhone. • This can be a barrier to purchase for many with the cashier. Not surprisingly, Starbucks was customers. one of the first retailers to make a dedicated effort to tap into the To addresses these challenges, Kesseltronics Systems, Inc., ability that their customers have to make purchases through their Montreal, Quebec, a division of Dover Corporation Canada Smartphone without the need of cash or a credit/debit card. Limited, has created and introduced the carwash industry’s first When Starbucks introduced the service in the fourth quarter of mobile payment app. Mobile payment apps allow customers that year, the company processed 2.1 million mobile-app payment to activate and pay for the wash by using their Smartphone. By transactions. By the third quarter of 2014, Starbucks was process- adding hardware to existing activation equipment, these systems ing seven million transactions via its mobile payment app, which allow customers to drive up to existing keypads or tellers and was estimated to have been 15% of their total transactions. activate the wash using their Smartphone from the comfort and So, it stands to reason that the popularity of mobile payments security of their vehicle. The Kesseltronics’ app integrates with will not be abating anytime soon. The challenge for retailers is to Google Wallet, Apple Pay, all major credit cards and proprietary find the best way to use the technology to their ultimate advantage. wash-subscription programs. Access to Kesseltronics’ carwash


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

activation app is available through a partnership with various retailers, who will create marketing materials that will allow drivers to download the app by scanning a QR code at the pump or inside the convenience store. The app will also be available for download through major online app stores. In addition to convenience, there are a number of ancillary benefits to mobile activation/payment apps. At the most basic, they eliminate customer interaction with the entry system. No longer does a driver have to roll down the window, insert a credit card or cash and enter a code before waiting for instructions to enter the wash. This can not only be intimidating to drivers, but it also slows down the entire wash process and presents a safety risk as many customers must partially exit their vehicle to reach the keypad.

For credit-card users, the ability to keep the card in a wallet or pocket eliminates the concern that any account information can be compromised through fraud or card-skimming. Any time user-payment information is passed through electronic equipment; there is the possibility the information can be compromised. Payment through a mobile carwash app is worryfree because the system uses a process known as “tokenization” to ensure that the only thing for which the payment information can be used is to buy a car wash at that particular time and at that particular location. The mobile carwash activation/payment app also offers some ancillary benefits for the site operator. In addition to the previously mentioned enhanced safety and customer confidence, there is also the opportunity to elongate and optimize

About the Author: Gunnar Beauregard is the General Manager of Kesseltronics Systems, Inc. a division

of Dover Corporation Canada Limited. For more than 25 years, Kesseltronics has been providing innovative activation, control. For more information on Kesseltronics, please visit www.kesseltronics.com.

13

the interaction with the customer. Instead of asking carwash customers to lean out their car window, interact with a keypad and then proceed into the wash bay, the customer’s Smartphone can now be used to illustrate how to drive into the wash in a manner that is both safe and easy. Also, if a customer is second or third in line at the wash entry, those idle five or 10 minutes can now be used to communicate things of value to customers through their Smartphone. This time can be used to explain why the carwash is superior and as an opportunity to upsell the customer or communicate other onsite sales opportunities. It opens a whole range of crossbranding and cross-selling opportunities that are limited only by the imagination of the site operator. Conclusion

The successful carwash operators will be the ones who recognize the advantages that mobile payments will have for their customers and take steps to ensure that they offer that capability.

Mobile Payments at the Carwash! Features and Benefits: • Increase convenience, Safety, and Security for carwash customers and operators • Allow your customers to activate and pay for the carwash using their smartphones • Build loyalty using your smart phone, eliminate the need for expensive magnetic strip cards or RFID tags • Easily integrates to Google Wallet, Apple Pay, all major credit cards for seamless transactions • Integrates with Access pay stations, Wash Access Loyalty System, and Webcode Basic Loyalty System for the ultimate carwash payment offering on the market

5212 Harwood • Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J0P1H0 • Canada • (888) 537-7358


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Core-Mark is designed to simplify your business and maximize your profits. Whether you are an independent retailer or a part of a national chain, Core-Mark offers each of its customers valuable customized solutions and services designed to help you grow your business. We offer resources to help drive sales and profits: Canadian Regional Office Suite 207, 3445 – 114th Ave SE Calgary, Alberta (403) 724-0690

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By Tom Humphreys

CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

15

HEALTHier

S E C I O C H

BELL BOTTOMS, PET ROCKS, RUBIK’S CUBE, FANNY PACKS…. ALL GREAT FADS THAT HAD THEIR TIME AND THEN FLAMED OUT. IF YOU THINK THAT HEALTHY OPTIONS IN CONVENIENCE STORES IS ANOTHER FAD THAT WILL BLOW AWAY AS FAST A TIE-DYE T-SHIRT, YOU MAY BE ABOUT TO MAKE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF YOUR BUSINESS CAREER.

Consumers in basis is not good for us. There is also another major 2015 are label shift in the way we eat today, driven by the millennireaders; teenagers, als and gen-x groups. The traditional “3 meal day” is moms, business disappearing. Breakfast and Dinner are still popular people, seniors…. at the beginning and end of our days, but lunch has everyone wants to been replaced by mid-morning and mid-afternoon know what they snacking. It is now very common for people to have are consuming. a 10-10:30 morning snack, a small snack again at Next time you are noon to 1pm, and then an afternoon snack at 2:30 in a grocery store, -3pm, all of them of the “healthy variety”. stand at an aisle end for 5 minutes and watch the For those of us in the convenience retailing busibehaviour of the shoppers. Doesn’t matter whether ness, this is the perfect storm to drive some great you are in the pickle aisle, crackers, salad dressings, sales in the future. We are conveniently located on cereal or pasta sauce; people today pick up products, the driving, walking, and biking routes that young turn them over to read the nutrition label, and then people with busy, mobile lifestyles take. They want will either put in their basket or re-shelf it depending healthy options, but with the speed of their lives on what they read. they often don’t have time to take it with them. We count steps on Fitbits and track meals conThe Partnership for a Healthier America was sumed on apps like MyFitnessPal. We are aware that Michelle Obama’s initiative back in 2008 to get a too much sodium, sugar, fat, and calories on a daily handle on childhood obesity in the US. Better lunch


16

JULY / AUGUST

food in schools was the initial thrust, but expanding healthy options within Convenience Stores, and identifying them for consumers was also part of the plan. The PHA defined the standard for a healthy c-store product and major US convenience retailers Sheetz (500 stores) and Kwiktrip (400 stores) got on board. Healthy options are identified with shelf tags throughout the store to direct label reading consumers to better products. Anyone who has been in a Loblaws store this spring has seen their launch of the “Guiding Stars” program, which is based on an algorithm that weighs the “good “ stuff in products (protein, vitamins, fibre) against the “bad” stuff (fat, sugar, sodium) to determine whether a food

product gets zero, 1,2 or 3 stars. All shelf tags in the store have stars on them, so shopping for healthier choices is quick and easy. Victoria based convenience retailer Peninsula Co-op determined last year that it was time that their stores caught up with the new healthy eating way of life. Although Peninsula Co-op had retailed fresh fruit and other healthier choices for many years, it was time to make the identification of these products easier for customers. “Our customers are living increasingly healthier lifestyles and the demand for healthier choices in our stores is rapidly growing,” says Peninsula Co-op Assistant Petroleum Operations Manager, Jen Munro. “Continually adapting to our customers’ needs and ensuring we have the right product mix is an essential part of our business. More and more customers entering our stores are asking the

Guidelines Food – fresh fruit and vegetables (including fruit packaged in water or light syrup); unsalted nuts and seeds; plain, low-fat, or non-fat yogurt; low fat cheese. Beverages – Plain water (including carbonated); milk (unflavored skim, 1% or 2%); fortified soy beverage; 100% fruit juice (no added sugar) Or product nutrition facts meet each of the following criteria: • Fat does not exceed 30% of total calories (1 gram of fat = 9 calories) • Sodium is less than 350mg • Sugar is less than 12g • Contains 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of at least one of the following nutrients: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fibre, Iron, or Calcium. (Excluding products containing Taurine)

same question: ‘What do you have that’s healthy?’ Now, with our Healthier Choice program, customers can look for the label and know it’s a healthier choice.” Rumble, a Vancouver Island produced protein shake, featured on an episode of the CBC show Dragons Den is a great example of a ‘Healthier Choice’ sold by Peninsula Co-op. “It’s a great new product; low fat, low sugar, packed with nutrients and customers love it. Why wouldn’t you want to highlight a product this good with a ‘healthier choice’ shelf label? People are looking for it” says Mill Bay Peninsula Co-op Site Manager Shauna Kunkel. In May 2015, the Healthier Choice program launched in two Peninsula Co-op convenience stores, with plans to expand to all convenience store gas centers in the near future. Originally Peninsula Co-op envisioned a “Healthy” Choice program, but problems arose as to what actually met the definition of a “Healthy” choice.

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CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

meals and snacks during their shift. Providing employees with a greater variety of nutritious options, improves energy levels, increases productivity, and leads to greater customer service. It’s a win-win!” says Munro. Peninsula Co-op currently has over 74,000 active member-owners and gave back $5.7 million in rebates last year. With 15 gas centre locations throughout

Southern Vancouver Island, a grocery store, home heating and card lock services, Peninsula Co-op serves thousands of customers every day. “Our business is about people, and meeting their needs. It feels good to know we’re doing that with our new program, by helping customers find the healthier choices they’re looking for.”

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Customers can’t help but notice the bullet coolers positioned at store entrances

Healthy choices for an 18 year old athlete, a 35 year old expecting mom, or a 70 year old senior are going to be different. The program evolved to “Healthier” choices. “We are not trying to claim that a product identified as a ‘Healthier’ choice is hands down the best product you could consume. We are trying to identify to consumers that the Healthier Choice product is, by definition, better than some of the other products on the shelf.” says Munro. What is a Healthier Choice? The guidelines are simple. Healthier choice products must fall under the following food and beverage categories or the product nutrition facts must meet standard criteria. Handouts with the guidelines are available in participating stores to educate customers about the new program. Currently there are over 100 Healthier Choice products in Peninsula Co-op convenience stores and the number is growing. “Now, with the definition in place, we are bringing in more products that meet the guidelines to further increase our selection of healthier choices.” Customers can’t help but notice the bullet coolers positioned at store entrances, filled with nutritious offerings. “People want healthier convenient choices. By improving availability and identification of these items, we’re making it happen!” said Munro. Milk, apples, and cheese strings for kids; a banana, yogurt, and a bottle of water to take to work; a fruit cup and raw almonds to fill the gap before dinner. There’s something for everyone. The benefits extend to employees as well. “Many of our employees purchase

17

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By Kelly Gray

JULY / AUGUST

Health&Beauty Category vigilance and merchandising are seen as the tonic that will invigorate the slow pulse of

C-stores rang in almost $64.5 million worth of Health and Beauty products (HBC) last year. (AC Nielsen)

“With margins like this you need to increase inventory turn and to do this operators must do a better job of in-store merchandising,” he says. Canada’s C-store Health and Beauty sector Some operators are getting the message. For C-stores rang in almost $64.5 million worth of Health and Beauty products (HBC) last year (AC example, at one Mac’s location at which I looked Nielsen). While this represents a lot of shampoo, ra- the clerk mentioned sales for Health and Beauty zor blades and head ache medicine sales, the catego- were slow. “But, you must stock these items,” he told me pointing to a row of counter- height pain ry only represents 1.2 per cent of dollar volume and is relievers that were selling better than trending flat over the last 52 weeks. The other items in the store’s limited, but challenge is that Canadian shoppers well considered, HBC selection where are looking for HBC products beyond shelves were stocked with small packthe convenience channel to drug stores, age shampoo, diapers, and patent medimass marketers such as Wal-Mart and cines like Pepto Bismal. The same was large grocery chains that offer pharmatrue at 7/eleven. This chain has made a cy sections. The opportunities lie in betconscious effort to increase its sales of ter understanding of customer needs “MARGINS HBC by stocking a six-foot section with and awareness of competitive forces. ON HEALTH travel-sized items that people use on a “The category needs operators to pay AND BEAUTY regular basis. more attention to placement, selection PRODUCTS Thanks to channel blurring compeand new product innovation,” says Coretition is fierce. Consider a recent trip I Mark International Corporate Director SHOULD BE IN of Canadian Marketing, Chuck Arcand. THE 40 PER CENT made to an Esso with an On the Run site. questions to the clerk regarding a Core-Mark is a leading full store distribRANGE. “WITH My pain reliever was met with a comment utor that provides marketing support MARGINS LIKE that most people would just go to the like plan-o-grams and merchandising THIS YOU NEED Shoppers Drug Mart on the corner. “Its that get products moving out the door. open late and the prices and selection Arcand advises making Health and TO INCREASE Beauty products more visible in store INVENTORY TURN are better,” he told me mentioning that and having more products that create AND TO DO THIS his last sale of a purse-size pain reliever was to a woman that morning. “She buzz. “We suggest operators should ofOPERATORS MUST came in for gas, but I guess the two kids fer three feet of display for this category DO A BETTER in the back seat gave her a headache and where well known brands attract attention.” Here he points to Burt’s Bees, a line JOB OF IN-STORE she decided to make a quick purchase of of environmentally sensitive cosmetics MERCHANDISING,” medicine here in our store rather than waste time at Shoppers,” he told me. and grooming products that works well SAYS ARCAND Arcand advises operators to pay atas an inline aisle–closest to till display tention to things like seasonality where that many C-store customers find surcold medicine and cough drops are big prising in its unique assortment. “Make the Health and Beauty section a destination for cus- sellers in the winter, allergy products move well in the spring and fall, and sunscreen is a must have tomers and make it visible so people know you are for hot summer days. “Innovation is also key. For stocking these items. Some customers may not be shopping the category for planned purchases in C- instance, smoking cessation products like non-nicotine e-cigs are key to driving more sales, as are new store, but when they need an immediate head ache insect repellant patches. You have to pay attention to remedy or require a bit of shampoo to take to the the market and be prepared to act on current trends. gym, operators need customers to think of them as This is what convenience is all about,” he says, suga quick solution in a time starved world.” gesting that operators get in line with what customAccording to Arcand retail margins on Health and Beauty products should be in the 40 per cent range. ers expect and demand.


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

What customers expect is to find the items they need, in sizes that make sense at prices they want to pay, suggests Steven J. Montgomery President b2b Solutions, a Chicago-based front line consultancy for the C-store industry “Don’t assume the only size you can sell is the “single serve” packets. However, it you are going to carry the larger sizes price reasonably. Don’t expect to make the same percentage margin you with the single serve sizes. Those are “I need it now

UNITE

D KINGDOM

In the UK, C-store operators there have been having more success selling Health and Beauty than convenience businesses in North America. This underlies the fact that there is real opportunity if these products are properly packaged and merchandised correctly. Consider that in the UK 34 per cent of customers look for Health and Beauty in the aisles of the neighbourhood Spar or Tesco convenience shops. Recent C-store numbers show hair care up by 3.7 per cent, shower products up by 5.6 per cent and hand wash up by 7.4 per cent. The idea in the UK is to focus on male shoppers (men’s deodorants, hair care, and styling products +5 per cent each). Important as well is the realization that customers will make their larger planned purchases for Health and Beauty at Boots or Sainsbury’s (Shoppers Drug Mart or Super Store are Canadian examples). C-stores are seen as places where people make a distressed purchase with an immediate need in mind.

and don’t care what it cost” type items. The cost is small compared to the issue the SKU is designed to address. Smaller take home sizes may be for now but also may be for later. Price them too high and you may get the single-serve sale, but not the larger one with more penny profit.” “The key to success in Health and Beauty is to know your customer and have stock that is relevant,” says Arcand. “If you are an airport C-store operator it makes sense to

19

have small travel sized packages of toothpaste and shampoo. If you are close to a school, bandages and hair styling products might be a fit. If you are downtown and have a business crowd an additional assortment of antacids and Advil are a good idea. And, make these products easy to find and highly visible. Locations close to the front cash desk are ideal and a good way to maximize a margin category.”

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South of the Border

JULY / AUGUST

By Sean McGrann, Tom Heavern & Randy Wimenta

Rutter’s Farm Stores Upgrades WI T H ANT HONY® INFINI T Y 090 CO OLER/FREEZER D O ORS Anthony ®, a Dover company, recently contributed to the at this Rutter’s location. For a solution that was both inviting successful upgrade of a Rutter’s Farm Stores convenience- and energy-efficient, Rutter’s selected the Infinity 090 Cooler and

store/retail-petroleum location in the company’s hometown of York, PA. The cooler/freezer area is one of the focal points for all of its 60 stores, and was ready for a modern makeover

Freezer Doors from Anthony®. “The first thought was, seriously, ‘Wow!’ because the doors were making a statement,” said Derek Gaskins, Chief Customer


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

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21

Officer for Rutter’s Farm Stores. “The cooler area drives a major piece of the profitability for the total store, so having the right look and having the right brand with bright white LED efficient lighting, made a huge difference. In partnering with a great brand like Anthony, one of our goals is to get more doors in more stores. As we look to modernize the footprint and build the Rutter’s brand in our existing and new stores, Anthony can continue to play a role to help make us a much more profitable company while driving long-term sustainable growth.” The Anthony Infinity 090 doors met Rutter’s needs because they feature infinity-edge construction, with an enhanced visibility area for improved merchandising. Infinity doors also come equipped with magnetic gaskets for a tight seal, as well as heat reflective glass. Lighting was also critical when selecting doors, which is why the Optimax Pro 24 LED Lighting solution was the optimal choice for luminance and energy efficiency. Rutter’s installed a total of 16 Infinity 090 doors during the remodel, 12 on the coolers and four on the freezers. Thanks to the design of the Anthony Infinity 090 doors, Rutter’s is able to realize a 57% energy efficiency THANKS TO THE improvement for its cooler DESIGN OF THE doors, and 24% improvement ANTHONY INFINITY on its freezer doors after the 090 DOORS, upgrade. RUTTER’S IS ABLE “With the cooler doors, we TO REALIZE A 57% like to use bright light to ENERGY EFFICIENCY draw customers through the IMPROVEMENT store since this is a destinaFOR ITS COOLER tion,” said Gaskins. “However, DOORS, AND 24% sustainability is very imporIMPROVEMENT ON tant for us as a company. It’s ITS FREEZER DOORS something we look at as a AFTER THE UPGRADE. point of difference. Therefore, the lighting and cooler doors had to be energy efficient.” Anthony is a manufacturer and solutions provider of glass doors, lighting systems and display equipment for use in commercial refrigeration systems. For more information on Anthony, please visit www.anthonyintl.com.


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JULY / AUGUST

By Fiona Lake Waslander

DRIVING SALES WITH

Digital Loyalty It’s no secret that gas is a commodity and consumers make their purchase decisions based on the lowest price, convenience or where they can get something in return. Marketing is essential to growing sales, but to reach customers through automated marketbetween managing operations, overseeing ing, the key to success is customizing communiemployees and keeping inventory and services cation. Regular, mass communication can cause fresh, it’s often a challenge for business owners to customers to lose interest. Instead, ensure that dedicate enough time and effort. Digital loyalty messages are triggered by specific customer beprograms have been gaining traction among haviours and that each customer is targeted for convenience, carwash and gas station owners a reason. as a means to cut through the noise and grow VALUABLE INSIGHTS the average sale per customer. These programs 78 PER CENT OF enable business owners to entice customers by CANADIANS MODIFY Digital loyalty programs provide business owners offering rewards while receiving valuable data WHERE THEY SPEND with another value – customer insights and and insights themselves. MONEY IN ORDER TO data. Business owners who are used to offering A study by Bond Brand Loyalty reveals that 78 MAXIMIZE BENEFITS. giveaways can give customers the same rewards while receiving powerful data and analytics. per cent of Canadians modify where they spend THE VALUE OF A Digital loyalty programs can give business money in order to maximize benefits. The value WELL-MANAGED owners access to data like number of visits of a well-managed digital loyalty program is unDIGITAL LOYALTY and sign-ups, reward redemptions, promotions deniable. Convenience stores, carwashes and gas PROGRAM IS redemptions and automated marketing stations can generate strong results by moving UNDENIABLE. campaign redemptions. Back-end data can beyond one-off giveaways to implement rewards inform ongoing business decisions and help drive programs based on customer loyalty. Digital loyalty programs have become more cost-effective and accessible sales during slow periods. This data reveals which promotions than ever to retailers. But how does one develop customer loyalty are working and which ones need to be reevaluated. Conversely, and grow the average ticket? The right tools and strategies can the data can help move inventory during slower periods. result in higher sales and smart business insights.

AUTOMATED MARKETING

LOYALTY OF ALL SIZES

Digital loyalty programs can drive sales for businesses of all sizes. Automated marketing has grown increasingly popular in recent There is no one-size-fits-all approach, giving business owners years and it’s not just for big chains. Automated marketing, often the flexibility to develop a program that fits their needs. For in the form of a text message, enables owners to easily reach example, Maple Leaf Gas in Windsor, ON offers points for every customers based on certain triggers to offer them an incentive to dollar spent which can be redeemed for pop, chips, discounts return and spend more. A popular example is using automated on gas and more. Kitchener Car Wash in Kitchener, ON rewards marketing to offer customer incentives, like specials on chips customers with a free car wash after five visits. A key benefit of or pop when they fill up their tank, to grow sales during a busy digital loyalty programs is that the rules are not set in stone and be customized as needed. long weekend. Digital loyalty programs provide convenience owners with Automated marketing gets noticed and increases the likeliness of additional purchases. According to data from Vicinity, easy-to-use marketing solutions and meaningful analytics. The behavior-triggered text message marketing drives a response right program can grow the average sale and make your location rate that’s ten times greater than standard email. While it’s easy the go-to among customers who are on the go.


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

DRIVING FORCE TO REPEAT BUSINESS

LOYALTY PROMOTION IDEAS:

WHY YOU SHOULD REWARD YOUR CUSTOMERS

SHOPPERS’ HABITS

78%

OF CUSTOMERS SHOP STRATEGICALLY TO ACCUMULATE POINTS 1

LOYALTY LANDSCAPE

COST OF A NEW CUSTOMER

90%

5x MORE

OF CANADIANS BELONG TO A LOYALTY PROGRAM 1

THAN KEEPING AN EXISTING ONE

COMMUNICATIONS

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

9/10 MEMBERS WANT TO RECEIVE LOYALTY PROGRAM COMMUNICATIONS 1

Sources: 1:Bond Brand Loyalty, 2:Lee Resources 2010, 3:Helpscout

2

70%

MORE THAN

E

23

F

OF BUYING EXPERIENCES ARE BASED ON HOW THE CUSTOMER FEELS THEY ARE BEING TREATED 3

Work with suppliers – If a supplier is offering a special price on pop, use automated marketing to promote the offer to your cardholders. Reward the behaviour not the product – Instead of offering ‘buy one, get one’ offers that reward a single purchase, offer customers a reward for continued visits. Bring them back – Use automated marketing to reach customers who are due for a car wash. Offer them a discount or promotion as an incentive to return. Get customers inside the store – Do you have customers that only come in to fill up their tank or wash their vehicle? Use text message marketing to offer special promotions for in-store products and other services. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Fiona Lake Waslander, is General Manager of Vicinity, a turnkey loyalty program that enables small and medium-sized businesses to easily and cost-effectively recognize, communicate with and reward their customers to help grow their repeat business. For futher information visit: www.VicinityRewards.ca Or call: 1-855-292-9766


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JULY / AUGUST


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

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JULY / AUGUST


By: Luke Grant – Product Payment Manger, Gilbarco Veeder-Root

CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

27

A Changing Landscape For Mobile Payments Canada remains a ripe market for mobile payments due to the large

number of merchants that have NFC (Near Field Communications) capable terminals. It’s estimated that 80% of merchants in Canada are now able to accept contactless payments. However, there continues to be a struggle amongst the wide variety of available mobile payment solutions for one to emerge as the clear frontrunner. To date Canada has seen strong pushes from Google Wallet and a variety of banking apps released by the major Canadian banks. Each of these applications had their own limitations that have somewhat restricted large scale adoption. According to blogsite IT World Canada, here is an abbreviated list of the limitations with Canadian banking smart phone applications: • Scotia Bank: Must be a Rogers Customer, limited eligible number of smartphones, new devices slow to be supported, must obtain a special SIM card from the carrier. • TD Bank: Open to all carriers, limited eligible number of smartphones, new devices slow to be supported, must obtain a special SIM card from the carrier. • CIBC: Open to all carriers, Limited eligible number of smartphones, new devices slow to be supported, must obtain a special SIM card from the carrier. • RBC: Must be a Bell customer to use mobile payment, limited eligible number of smartphones, new devices slow to be supported, must obtain a special SIM card from the carrier. • BMO: No mobile payment capabilities. This list serves to show why the adoption of digital wallets by Canadian consumers has been very slow to take off. The landscape has been cluttered with limitations and requirements and without a mainstream platform for widespread consumer acceptance. Partnerships

The Global Payments sector appears to be picking up with the development of new partnerships. On June 4, 2015 Global Payments Inc., announced an agreement with Virtual Next, to offer its Canadian merchants a new mobile payment, loyalty,

promotion and gift card service, which leverages Passbook for Apple iOS and Google Wallet “By integrating our payment technology offerings with Virtual Next’s mobile payment and loyalty solution, our merchants will be able to simplify their checkout process without the hassle of loading a new app,” says René Bélanger, President of Global Payments Canada. “This partnership not only will provide merchants with new revenue opportunities, but also will streamline payment acceptance.” On June 23rd, Rogers Communications also announced new support for its ‘suretap’ mobile wallet from the major Canadian telecommunications companies, including Bell, Telus, and Virgin Mobile Canada. This will allow customers the flexibility to choose their mobile operating system and still be able to use the suretap wallet, which is compatible with Andriod and Blackberry devices. In an interview with Mobile Payments Today, Jeppe Dorff, suretap President commented “One of things we were very clear about from the beginning was that consumers need choice, and if they need choice, they need a common user experience across carriers in Canada. Last year, we worked on expanding the reach of this wallet, so ultimately as a consumer, you’re not limited to just one wireless network to get into mobile payments.” The timing of these announcements also comes at a very opportune time ahead of the expected launch of Apple Pay in Canada this fall. Apple Pay has a great shot at quickly gaining adoption in Canada where the iPhone’s market share is much higher than in other regions. Apple certainly has its challenges in Canada as well in that its negotiations with the six largest Canadian banks are still underway. The outlook for an agreement with these banks is good, but the banks are still wary of Apple’s commercial terms as well as recent security issues that popped up in its U.S. launch. To address the security concerns, these six banks have hired McKinsey & Co. to develop a better authentication process for Apple Pay in Canada. Overall Canada will continue to be an exciting proving ground for mobile payments, and the next six months will likely yield a market leader in that space. However, if the past is any indication of the future, anything could happen.


A WELL-MAINTAINED AND SAFE CARWASH MEANS MORE PROFIT AND HAPPIER CUSTOMERS

Floor heat, ice prevention, snow melting, and de-icing systems go by many names and, depending on the specific installation, all of them can be correct.

A R E YO U R EADY F O R WINT ER IC E? By Doug Deal In the carwash industry, we are primarily focused on ‘ice-prevention’ as a means

of operating our business in cold climates. We have a love / hate relationship with these heating systems. We love that they allows us to stay open for business, operate safely, and bring additional trade. We hate that they can have a substantial impact on our operating expenses. Properly installed, ‘ice prevention’ is a this business builder that does not have to break the bank. In order to achieve this, you need to follow a few guidelines. First, look at the tubing design and installation. The tubing itself has changed from polyethylene to polybutylene, then to PEX, and now primarily to PERT. While there are minor differences in the tubing, the layout and run length are still critical to being effective. For example, when using 5/8 inch OD tubing, you should not exceed 180 feet in run length on exterior areas.

Next, focus on tubing placement in the concrete. To be effective and efficient, the tubing needs to be embedded in the slab not at the bottom of the slab. The best way to achieve this is the use of wire mesh on chairs that keep the tubing and mesh with approximately two inches of concrete on top (with the proper chair). This is much more consistent than ‘pulling’ the mesh up during the pour. Concrete contractors do not like this method because it is harder to walk on. However, keep in mind that contractors are only walking on it for a day while you will have to live with the performance and operating expense for many years to come. Also, make sure you install the slab sensor(s) properly. You will want to take steps to make sure it is serviceable in the event that it needs to be replaced. A proper base under the mesh is equally important. The first choice is the use of four to six inches of pea stone; this acts as an excellent insulator without isolating

itself from the ground temperature and provides excellent drainage. If this is not used, next choice would be to use insulation on top of the final grade. The best and easiest to use is roll insulation, which is one half inch thick and has a R-10 value when installed properly (white side up). A few things to keep in mind when planning a new facility or re-doing an existing site: 1) Divide your wash into heating zones and operate them independently from each other. This allows you to only heat where needed and not overheat some areas just to heat others. A basic exam-


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

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JULY / AUGUST

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CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

ple would be keeping all outside areas (entrance, exit, apron, sidewalks, etc.) on a zone and the interior (wash bays) on another. On an exterior express tunnel, separate the entrance apron from the exit apron, especially if you are not doing any prep work outside. 2) Determine the area you actually need to keep “ice-free.” Keep in mind that you will want to make sure a vehicle can enter and exit your wash as well as allow the customer to safely walk around their vehicle and your facility. Also, take into account the shade effect of the building and how it will affect the area needed. Boiler Evolution

This brings us to the boiler system. This area has seen a significant amount of change over the last 10 years or so with the introduction of condensing technology. This new technology, along with zoning and control systems, has played a major role in control of operating costs. In the past, the most common boiler system was a modulating atmospheric fired boiler. These systems worked, and continue to work, very well when installed properly. Today ’s condensing technology boiler systems (ultra high efficiency/ UHE) are ideal for when properly sized and installed. The cold return temperature helps to ensure the highest operating efficiency. These systems can adjust their set point temperature by reading and calculating the temperatures from the slab, the return water and the outdoor temperature. This means that the target temperature is a moving target based on these readings. The system automatically raises the target on extreme cold days and lowers the target on mild days, which saves anywhere from 30 per cent to over 50 per cent on your operating expense. With savings of up to 50 per cent operators will realize a fairly quick payback (ROI) when choosing these modern systems for initial install or upgrading an existing system. These new systems feature minimal maintenance. However, when preparing for the winter season, you will want to check

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the freezing point valve with a hydrometer, the pH, and the level of the glycol (do not mix types of glycol). Due to the nature (low temperatures and seasonal use), the glycol will last a long time when maintained. Check and lubricate motors, and blow out the air intakes. Test fire the boiler so you know it is ready when cold weather arrives. On condensing boilers, most manufacturers recommend a bi-annual maintenance procedure. This protects the boiler and eliminates most operating issues. One thing to consider is the temperature in which you are operating. The past few winters have seen some very extreme temperatures and operators may want to consider a point where they actually close out of concern for your customer and their employee safety. Keep in mind your customers may not be able to get out of their vehicle after they have washed in extreme temperatures. By following the guidelines, you may actually learn to love your system as properly designed and installed. Simply, a maintained system will allow you to focus on your customer and increase your profitability. About the Author:

Doug Deal is Owner and President of Huron Valley Sales which specializes in heating, water heating, and water treatment systems in the vehicle wash industry. A part of

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CONVENIENCE CONVENIENCE && CARWASH CARWASH CANADA CANADA

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Wash Loyalty System

INNOVATIONS BEYOND RFID READERS

Every industry that has competition finds new growth in one thing – innovation. Innovation seeps into every segment and category of business and is essential to sustaining long-term growth. by Brian Garavaglia So it should come as no surprise that whether it is the high- the moment the license plate is scanned and referenced in a tech world of Apple and Google, or the car wash industry, cloud-based system, delivers messaging tailored to each loyal innovation drives leaders to create improved methods and customer at the pay station screen and is possible because of systems for their customers. When car wash manufacturers set PDQ’s Access entry station and Wash Access Loyalty System out to innovate and change the game for loyalty programs, they (WALS). set their sights on the previous high-water technology mark — It works like this: Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. • A vehicle enters the wash lane and stops for pre-wash identification Innovation Responds • The LPR camera reads the license plate For many in the carwash industry, vehicle wash systems went • The license plate syncs with the customer’s account in PDQ’s through a level of innovation when RFID tag readers hit the Wash Access Loyalty System (WALS) market. These systems helped to create more convenient • The wash is activated within seconds customer identification and to automate incentive, loyalty, and Additionally, there is greater marketing potential while using subscription programs. LPR technology to track washes from users not currently in your So, how do you create a better experience than RFID for the loyalty program. Once a scan of a license plate has been made, end-user, while making it more convenient and more cost-ef- the vehicle can be identified as a non-loyalty member so that fective for the owner/operator? How can you obtain a seamless the driver can be prompted at the Access pay station with an customer interface with the data access of current RFIDs — option to join the program. If a customer has been to the wash but without the need of RFID? three times in one month, bu t is not yet a club member, the In the case of car washes, license-plate recognition (LPR) pay station can be programmed to offer a special promotion to technology is the future. entice them into joining the loyalty program. The evolution of LPR technology for car washes comes at Once a customer has been identified as a loyalty member, a time when face to face contact with your customers is at a they can be prompted with custom screens saying, “thanks for premium. When it comes to LPR systems, PDQ Manufacturing, returning John Smith” or with buy-up messages based on their Inc. has managed to once again bring leading edge technology typical behaviors. If they usually purchase triple foam, and on a to ensure your customer experience is effortless and secure. particular visit they do not select that option, a message can be This innovative process, which takes only seconds from generated to ask if they are certain they do not want triple foam.


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daily washes. Those loyal customers, who can be counted on to return to a business time and again for a product or service, often do it to feel special, to feel appreciated or as a convenience for their personal time — it isn’t all about saving money. That being said, like most aspects of successful businesses, loyalty comes down to bottom-line decisions. Many of those decisions must be made by the owner/operator who must invest, maintain and staff whatever system they choose to employ. RFID Limitations

While RFID technology has improved the entry process and enhanced loyalty-program growth, it has some significant

RESEARCH DATA SUGGESTS THAT RETAINING JUST 5% MORE OF THE CUSTOMER BASE CAN MEAN AS MUCH AS A 50% GAIN IN REVENUES. WHEN THE NUMBERS ARE THAT OBVIOUS, IT’S NOT SURPRISING THAT OWNERS/OPERATORS ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN LOYALTY PROGRAMS. Working in conjunction with the Access pay station is the WALS loyalty system. This web-based data management system allows operators to manage a successful loyalty program for multiple sites from one central location. This system offers infinite code variations and tracking abilities to identify the very best customers and to create a host of different loyalty programs. The addition of subscription capabilities allows customers to sign up for a monthly wash program right at the Access pay station before they enter the wash. This also limits the amount of customer account management work for wash attendants and specifically eliminates the need for attendants to handle credit card information. The WALS loyalty program includes an e-commerce Member Portal that also allows customers to register and/or purchase washes on the Internet, as well as manage their accounts online. Loyalty Pays Dividends

For car wash owners/operators, the importance of retaining even a small fraction of their customer base volume can mean substantial increases in revenues. Research data suggests that retaining just 5% more of the customer base can mean as much as a 50% gain in revenues*. When the numbers are that obvious, it’s not surprising that owners/operators are willing to invest in loyalty programs. Subscription and “unlimited wash” programs are hugely popular with today’s consumers and with fleets that require About the Author:

limitations. Smaller operators, who do not have a wash attendant dedicated to their in-bay automatic operations, have struggled trying to maintain an RFID operation. Larger tunnel operators, who have to allocate staff to manage tag installations, must incur the additional cost and time spent managing the RFID process once it is initiated. While RFID technology has allowed the pay station process to move to a level of minimal interaction for the car wash customer, it does come with some notable caveats. The initial investment in the RFID reader is a significant expense that is just the first step in initiating an RFID program. The expense for the individual RFID tags, one required for every loyalty customer won, is yet another cost on top of the reader and system fee. The cost of each RFID tag must be absorbed by the owner/operator, packaged into and (hopefully) recouped in the loyalty program, including the replacement of broken or damaged tags. Conclusion

Innovative technology continues to change the landscape of the in-bay automatic car wash. With the introduction of LPR technology, along with the integration of essential customerinterface and loyalty-management systems, PDQ is delivering a new level of customer ease, satisfaction, and security for a car wash industry that pushes the innovation bar and sets the stage for the next big idea to emerge.

Brian Garavaglia is a Business Development Manager for PDQ Manufacturing, Inc., De Pere, WI. He has been in marketing and product development for more than 10 years. With specific emphasis on Internet-based products, his current focus is on interface and new product development in the car wash industry. PDQ Manufacturing is recognized as the technological leader in vehicle wash systems, providing superior quality, outstanding support and products that contribute to its customers’ profitability. Brands include LaserWash® and ProTouch® In-Bay Automatic Vehicle Wash Systems, SwingAir® and MaxAir® Dryers, Access® Wash Activation Systems, Cortex and WALS. Products are sold and supported worldwide through an extensive distribution network. For more information, visit www.pdqinc.com or call (800) 227-3373. Garavaglia can be reached at brian.garavaglia@pdqinc.com.


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

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by Bruce McGregor

CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA 

A

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NEW RETAILING CATEGORY EXPLODES

Retailing has to be the most fascinating business verticals in the world. With the ever changing technology in the mobile

communication world it has brought on new sales opportunities at point of sale for some retail formats that traditionally did not play in this commodity or did the customer expect to find this product in stores like gas stations, convenience stores, drug stores, book stores and newsstands. All of these stores formats have similar challenges that of all retailers have. How to improve margins and capitalize on existing traffic by increasing common measured metrics called average unit per sale (AUS) and average sale per transaction (AST). The majority of these store formats have a very high combined percentage of low margins categories that drive most of the sales volume like gasoline, tobacco and lottery tickets. The business operator turns to the traditional AUS & AST strategy of focusing on soft drinks, candy and salty snacks to drive incremental sales and gross profit.

Most of these stores had a small amount of space dedicated to what is known as necessary emergency items like automotive, health & beauty and hardware in a small 4 foot section for the convenience of the customer. The smart and business savvy operators started to add some electronic items into the assortment to offer the same convenience. The demand continued to grow in electronic product based on the explosion of the cell phone and tablet market so did the space in these stores to include 4’ sections dedicated to cell phone accessories and cables. The vendor community were the first to see the opportunity by creating very nice marketed free standing displays as a one stop mobile communication shop or pit stop. The vendor community started to import a lower price point offering in strong marketed impulse counter displays and the category exploded in these store formats. Some of these displays started producing $1500-$3000 sales per square foot and the power category was born. I have been advising business owners on the industry best practices for over 20 years and here are a few for this commodity.


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Financial Projections Total Fixture Sales

Cell Phone Fixture Results

1150

Day Saxzles Projections

Incremental Yearly Sales

Incremental Yearly Gross Profit

Turn Over

Sales Per Square Foot

GP Per Square Foot

GMROII

30

10,950

0

0.0

10,950

0

0.00

50

18,250

0

0.0

18,250

0

0.00

75

27,375

0

0.0

27,375

0

0.00

100

36,500

0

0.0

36,500

0

0.00

Sales & Presentation Best Practices

• Best results are on front counter beside a point of sale register • Price point and impulse placement is the key to generating $100 per day results • Correct placement and replenishment strategy can add $9 to a sale. You need all items in stock to achieve this. • Great suggesting selling items. • If counter space is not available front promotional end cap is best positioning

Replenishment Strategy and Best Practices

• Order every week • Order incremental product to fill fixture plus backup inventory to support sales rate. • Assign individual replenishment ownership to program. • All Items in stock is key to success

THE VENDOR COMMUNITY WERE THE FIRST TO SEE THE OPPORTUNITY BY CREATING VERY NICE MARKETED FREE STANDING DISPLAYS AS A ONE STOP MOBILE COMMUNICATION SHOP OR PIT STOP

Conclusion & Review

• Huge opportunity to drive incremental sales and gross profit for your stores • Opportunity to attach incremental sale to existing traffic • Inventory will be very productive and profitable • Having a replenishment plan is key to success • Increase all store item metrics • Units per transaction UPT • Average sale per transaction AST • Average item per transaction IPT • Very good return on space • Extremely good return on inventory investment I find it very interesting at all the vendor trade shows now you can see vendors that are totally dedicated to this commodity and are continuing to fine tune the new and best fixtures to include the car chargers, wall chargers, the

Product

Features

Benefits

Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Transparency 9H Surface Hardness Oleophobic Coating

Anti shatter film Delicate touch Dust remover sticker

Selfie Stick

Monopod with remote shutter Work on I-phone Samsung and any other phones

Batteries not required Extended up to 3.3ft for the perfect angle 1 x Selfie stick with 3.5mm audio jack

Dual Wall and Car Charger

2 USB ports

Charge to devices

Power Bank

2600mAh power


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA 

correct cables in various lengths for all phones types and the new items. You will have other vendors that have a completely different business focus developing this power category into their product offering to maximize their AST and AUT. The category continues to grow and new items are being developed to continue the business growth. As the need to stay connected and use of mobile devices evolves, the smart retail operators will be the early adapters

to a ever changing retail climate a will add expanded assortments based on the next mega trend which is about to enter the market place.

About the Author:

With over 20 years’ experience in retail leadership, excelling in business planning, strategy development and process improvement Bruce helps clients discover, design and deploy strategy that delivers measurable and sustainable results. Visit www.wbrcsolutions.com for more information

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OCTOBER 11-14


CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA 

The much-anticipated 2015 PEI Women Conference took place this past May in Denver, Colorado, and was a success by all definitions. The Conference was kicked off by a tour of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where Senior Analyst Kristi Moriarty showed the group the Vehicle Testing and Integration Facility and the Thermal Testing Facility. The tour was followed by a reception at the Embassy Suites Downtown Denver. Attendees registered for the conference and mingled with the other attendees before sitting down to a PEI-hosted dinner.

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The keynote speech delivered by Carey Lohrenz officially opened the Conference. Carey spoke of her journey to become a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy and how keeping a strong focus on her goals helped her succeed. “’No’ is a complete sentence” was an

EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks, spoke about the upcoming rollout of the new UST regulations. The details of the new rule could not be discussed; however, Hoskinson provided a great deal of information on the subject and answered many

“’NO’ IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE” WAS AN IMPORTANT TAKEAWAY FOR MANY WOMEN, AS WELL AS, “FOOD IS GOOD” EXPLAINING HOW FOOD CAN HELP IN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED SITUATIONS. important takeaway for many women, as well as, “Food is good” explaining how food can help in emotionally charged situations. Gail Alofsin followed Lohrenz. Ms. Alofsin spoke on harnessing the power of your personal brand, including how to develop your natural attributes and how to overcome hurdles. After lunch, Carolyn Hoskinson, director of the

questions. Kathryne Newton Ph.D., headed up the next day’s sessions with discussions on the impact of the changing generations in the workplace and adapting to new communications styles including how to work with millennials. Kathy also talked about ways to deal with conflict, such as encouraging parties to work together by establishing common goals.


Tanknology Ad:Layout 1 05/12/13 3:46 PM Page 1

CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

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AGI would like to introduce you to our UNATTENDED aboveground service station. The Ghost Station consists of a DOUBLE WALL Envirotank with a card reader capable of processing CREDIT CARDS, DEBIT CARDS and Private Cards. The Ghost Station will allow you to Reduce labour costs. Permit 24-hour operation. Increase sales volume. Increase net profits.

Aboveground Envirotank The Ghost Station ships as a TURNKEY SYSTEM. Everything required to MEET THE FIRE CODE can be included. (Signs, collision protection, fire extin-guishers….) Once delivered to site the system can be up and running in days. Because everything is aboveground it is an asset that can be RELOCATED if required.

The Card Reader The card reader accepts DEBIT, VISA, MASTER CARD, Discover, American Express, and private cards. Monitor your Ghost Station from any remote PC with a modem. Remotely retrieve sales, change pricing on dispensers, activate cards, deactivate cards and give customers discounts. Export data into your existing accounting system or use the windows software included with the card reader.


What’s New

CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

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MyTankInfo’s Cloud-based Solution Eliminates Tank Gauge Data Security Vulnerabilities

MyTankInfo, which delivers fuel management and fuel site monitoring solutions to the commercial and retail petroleum marketplace, has announced its cloud-based, hardware-enabled connectivity option that protects fuel site operators from data breaches while providing seamless access to fuel inventory information. Recent research completed by Rapid7, an IT security firm, indicates that over 5,300 tank gauges at U.S. fuel sites are vulnerable to remote hacks due to fetch/polling communication processes that require an open firewall port. MyTankInfo’s cost-effective connectivity hardware prevents data breaches by utilizing a one-way communication path. “Because MyTankInfo’s cloud-based connectivity solution does not host inbound communication requests, hackers cannot breach the system,” said Michael Buck, Vice President of MyTankInfo. “And, unlike other systems, it does not

require users to configure password-protected VPN gateways, which is a step that can easily be overlooked.” Advantages of MyTankInfo’s secure, cloud-based hardware-enabled solution include: • Relies on “Push” method instead of “Fetch/Polling” method to transmit inventory data • Eliminates the need to poke holes in firewalls in order to poll an ATG, effectively preserving the security of your network • Unlike a VPN gateway, the MyTankInfo solution does not require end users to configure their device’s security • Eliminates costly IT requirements • Fax modem, RS-232 serial or an IP card provide ATG connectivity flexibility • Cloud-based application enables users to access inventory data, wherever an Internet connection is available • Hardware is cellular-enabled, providing Internet connectivity to remote locations where an Ethernet connection is not available To learn more about MyTankInfo’s secure, cloud-based, hardware-enabled connectivity device, please visit mytankinfo.com.

HARIBO, the original gummy bear, gaining traction with Canadian consumers, building distribution across Canada, and moving into convenience and gas HARIBO began in 1920 in Bonn, Germany, with the starting capital of a sack of sugar, a marble block, a stool, a brick oven, a copper kettle and a roller. Since then, HARIBO has steadily grown in Europe, around the world, and now distribution is booming in Canada. HARIBO, the #1Gummy Candy manufacturer worldwide, is derived from plant and fruit concentrate with no artificial colours. They carry an exciting range of sugar confectionery setting themselves apart from competitors with a focus on natural ingredients, high quality detail in their gummy designs, innovative shapes and flavours, and a world famous brand name. 2015 brings about new focus, HARIBO is excited to offer their range of gummy candies to gas stations and convenience stores nation-wide. They are also launching two new flavours in the Canadian market, Fruity Frutti and Sour Stixx. National Importers Inc is the official importer of HARIBO to Canada. Please visit www.haribo.ca for more information.

OPW Nozzles Receive NEW Stringent UL 2586 Listing On All OPW Fueling Nozzles OPW, a global leader in fluid-handling solutions, has announced that it is the first manufacturer in the industry to receive the new stringent UL 2586 Listing on all of its conventional fueling nozzles and limited vapor recovery nozzles, including the industry standard 11A®, 11B®, 7H®, 7HB® and 12VW Series nozzles. OPW’s 11A, 11B, 7H and 12VW Series nozzles are engineered to meet all industry compliance standards. UL 2586 requires that fueling nozzles and all internal components are compliant with the latest and most aggressive alcohol fuel blends. In addition to meeting UL 2586, the spout of its 11A and 11B Series nozzles meet both SAE J285 and ISO 9158 / 9159 global fill pipe standards – the only nozzles in the industry to do so. “Being the first manufacturer to earn UL 2586 approval is a reflection of our commitment to always provide the best solutions for our customers,” says Ed Kammerer, Director of Global Product Management for OPW Retail Fueling. To earn UL 2586 approval, fuel nozzles must undergo and pass a rigorous and all encompassing review of its construction (materials, assembly), twenty-five different categories of nozzle performance, manufacture and testing. All 11A, 11B, 7H and 12VW nozzles manufactured after April 30, 2015, will carry the UL 2586 designation. In addition to earning UL 2586 approval, the 11A & 11B now come with an aircraft-grade aluminum spout with greater deflection-force strength and is the first nozzle spout in the industry to be compliant with both SAE J285 and ISO 9158/9159 global fill pipe standards. For more information on OPW, please visit www.opwglobal.com.


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Gourmet Chips & Sauces Announces New Director of Sales Gourmet Chips and Sauces, a specialized Canadian food company, known for products such as Blair’s Death Rain chips and Aubrey D Authentic Hot Spices, condiments and dips, has announced John Cusmariu will become the organization’s new Director of Sales. Mr. Cusmariu will be responsible for handling all national accounts, working with existing and new customers and helping to launch new products. Additionally, Cusmariu will manage trade shows for the company. He will Report directly to the Vice president of Sales Aubrey Zelman. John brings over 15 years of extensive sales and managerial experience. Most notably, he was a sales executive for a well-known radio station, a Business Development Manager for one of the world’s largest electronics component distributors and has been a small business owner in the Homecare industry. For further information contact Gourmet Chips and Sauces toll free 1-800-424-2447 or visit us on the web www.gourmetchip.com.

Randy Wingert joins Mark VII Arvada, Colorado – Mark VII Equipment Inc., the North America subsidiary of WashTec AG of Germany, the world’s largest manufacturer of vehicle cleaning systems, has named Randy Wingert as Manager of Special Projects. Mr. Wingert’s background includes over 25 years in marketing management positions in the car care industry at Turtle Wax and Ryko Solutions. He will be based at Mark VII’s factory in suburban Denver. “Randy is a great addition to the team,” said Mark VII’s CEO Chris Andersen. “His broad experience in all facets of the car car business will bring a fresh perspective to strategic initiatives critical to meeting our growth objectives.”

Ad Index AGI Envirotank..................................... 44 Belanger................................... 23, 24, 28 Blendco Systems.................................. 45 Bulloch Technologies........................... 38 CoreMark Int’l ................................ 6, 14 CSI Lustra............................................. 31 Direct Cash....................................... OBC Erie Brush............................................. 25 General Mills...................................... IFC Gourmet Chips................................... IBC Gulf Carwash ....................................... 31

Clif Bar & Company Launches New Organic Fruit and Nut Snack Bar in Canada .CLIF Organic Trail Mix bars feature organic fruits and nuts like crunchy almonds, red cherries and delicious dark chocolate chunks. Clif Bar believes a healthy, sustainable food system starts with organic ingredients. CLIF Organic Trail Mix bars are gluten free, 200 calories or less and a source of fibre. Like all products from Clif Bar & Company, CLIF Organic Trail Mix bars contain zero grams trans fat and no partially-hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavours or synthetic preservatives. CLIF Organic Trail Mix bars are available in five flavours – Coconut Almond Peanut, Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Raspberry. For more information on Clif Bar & Company, please visit www.clifbar.ca

Haaga................................................... 19 Havana House........................................ 9 Innovative Control Systems................. 34 Jack Cash ATM..................................... 17 Kesseltronics........................................ 13 MI Petro................................................ 42 NACDA................................................. 20 North Shore Tobacco .......................... 10 Oasis Car Wash Systems...................... 29 PDQ Manufacturing............................. 35 PEI......................................................... 39 Scholtens Inc........................................ 16 Tanknology........................................... 43 WPMA .................................................. 23

Sales Position Available at Blendco Systems Blendco Systems, a division of DuBois Chemicals, is looking to hire a proven sales professional proficient in all types of car washes to join our sales team. This individual will be responsible for helping Blendco grow within Canada. In helping to grow in the Canadian provinces, this individual will be expected to work both independently and with distributors as needed. Responsibilities include providing service and support to existing distributors while helping Blendco grow the distributor channel. Candidates must reside in Canada. Requirements: Previous experience in the carwash industry Previous sales experience Reside in Canada Computer proficiency and basic knowledge of MS Office Bachelor’s degree or better is preferred.

ConneCt to trending topiCs & news About CArwAshes – beverAges– snACks And other produCts And serviCes thAt CAn help boost Your business. Join our social media sites to hear about the latest products and events to help you run your carwash and convenience store.

To apply for this position, please email your resume to bmccurdy@blendco.com. https://twitter.com/carwashcanada http://convenienceandcarwash.com https://www.facebook.com/convenienceandcarwashcanada Tweet to us about your unique c-store or carwash with #convenienceandcarwash.com and we may profile your business in our next issue.

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CONVENIENCE & CARWASH CANADA

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