INDUSTRYROUNDUP FAST FACT
CSNews Presents Retailer Innovator Award to Sheetz Approximately 35 percent of consumers say their beverage preferences change depending on the season, which should influence convenience store operators’ decision to expand their coffee varieties to include popular seasonal flavors. Source: Technomic 2014 Beverage Consumer Trend Report (page 54)
QUOTABLES
“There are a lot of states we haven’t touched yet. I could see us doing a third-party acquisition and then a few years later, doing new builds in that area. A little Pac-Man strategy — buy and build around it, buy and build around it.” — Kim Lubel, CST Brands Inc. (page 40)
Being “restless” works well for the Altoona, Pa.-based chain
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n front of a crowd of associates at the company’s corporate offices in Altoona, Pa., on Nov. 13, Sheetz Inc. President and CEO Joe Sheetz accepted the Convenience Store News 2014 Retailer Innovator of the Year award on behalf of his team. CSNews Editorial Director Don Longo, who was on hand to make the presentation, explained that the Retailer Innovator of the Year award goes to a retailer that, through its innovation, is playing a leadership role in CSNews Editorial Director Don Longo (left) presents commemorative Page shaping the future of the con- One plaque to Sheetz CEO Joe Sheetz. venience store industry. ing its people to be the best.” As Retailer Innovator of Upon accepting the award, Joe Sheetz the Year, Sheetz was recognized in the told the assembled group: “We pride cover story of Convenience Store News’ ourselves on being innovators, and being October issue for its innovative leadership recognized by one of the top magazines in in empowering its employees, giving back the convenience industry is a great honor. to the community, store growth and forAs you know, every day we come to work mat innovation. with the vision of creating the Sheetz that “Sheetz has stood out for its new will put the Sheetz as we know it today out state-of-the-art store format, including of business.” the development of drive-thrus and its He went on to say: “We have a culture foodservice program. But perhaps the of being a little restless. I think this keeps most important area in which the comus relevant to be an innovator, especially pany stands out is in the way it treats its in attracting the younger consumers who people,” Longo said during the presentation ceremony. “The company consistently have different needs from the parents and wins best employer awards in the states in grandparents. And being innovative makes it fun.” which it operates, and is always challeng-
12 Convenience Store News | DECEMBER 2014 | WWW.CSNEWS.COM