Convenience Retailer Show Daily • October 9, 2024 by OserCommunicationsGroup

Convenience

SDaily how RETAILER

EG America is offering a plethora of deals and menu items across its store brands to help customers kick off the fall season The retailer launched a pumpkin spice coffee and a pumpkin spice cappuccino, which are available now

“Alongside our premium Farmhouse Blend coffee, which our guests enjoy fresh every day, we’ll be adding delicious pumpkin spice flavor shots and a pumpkin spice cappuccino to our coffee line-up this f a l l , ” s a i d W h i t n e y Johnson, EG America’s V i c e P r e s i d e n t o f

Loyalty Marketing and Digital Commerce “In addition to this seasona l f a v o r i t e , w h e n guests first sign up for our loyalty program, SmartRewards, they’ll receive five free cups of coffee and some other great benefits ”

“Our new $5 meal deal offers guests a premium breakfast sandwich and a refreshing drink for a price you can’t beat,” said Brian Ferguson, EG America’s chief marketing officer

Rutter’s partnered with Uber Technologies Inc to launch an on-demand delivery service for Rutter’s Rewards customers

The new program will allow customers to order food and products for delivery directly through the Rutter’s mobile app

“Our business is convenience, and what’s more convenient than having your favorite Rutter’s items delivered right to your front door or office?” said Chris Hartman, Vice President of Fuels, Advertising and Development at Rutter’s “We believe in giving customers the best options to get the products they need to get throughout their day Partnering with Uber is another way for them to enjoy our wide variety of options by ordering directly through our mobile app ”

To thank early adopters of the program, Rutter’s will be giving new delivery customers free delivery for a limited time with a code Additionally, all first-time users who download the Rutter’s app and sign up to be a Rutter’s VIP Rewards member will receive 10 cents off per gallon of fuel

“We are thrilled to partner with Rutter’s to bring reliable and seamless

Convenience

BOOTH #C4683

Building on the success of its popular Gluten-Free Granola Bites, Crazy Monkey Baking is now offering a 2-ounce package in its top three flavors: Dark Chocolate, Salted Caramel and Blueberry According to Matt Figley, Brand President, “It’s a great packaging alternative for stores that want to place our Granola Bites in their queuing lanes, peg sections or just about anywhere in the store ” Crazy Monkey Granola Bites are the perfect combination of granola – a cookie containing 16 grams of whole grains per 30 gram serving, and unlike loose gra-

Retailers Feature New Fall Flavors and Deals

d pieces are great for in-

Big League Growth: Iconic Big League Chew Remains Relevant as Ever 40+ Years Later

M o n k e y

o snacks, as well as breakfasts and desserts. C

Baking is based in Grand

Johnson, EG America’s

Loyalty Marketing and Digital Commerce “In addition to this season-

f a v o

, w h e n guests first sign up for our loyalty program, SmartRewards, they’ll receive five free cups of coffee and some other great benefits ”

“Our new $5 meal deal offers guests a premium breakfast sandwich and a refreshing drink for a price you can’t beat,” said Brian Ferguson, EG America’s chief marketing officer

With over one billion pouches of shredded bubble gum sold since its initial launch in 1980, Big League Chew has cemented itself not only as an all-star in the bubble gum category, but as an icon of American baseball culture Born in the bullpen and chewed by generations of ballplayers and fans alike, Big League Chew has proven its staying power as an attractive impulse buy for kids

Rutter’s Launches On-Demand Delivery for Rewards Members

Rutter’s partnered with Uber Technologies Inc to launch an on-demand delivery service for Rutter’s Rewards customers

The new program will allow customers to order food and products for delivery directly through the Rutter’s mobile app

“We are thrilled to partner with Rutter’s to bring reliable and seamless

BOOTH #N1873

Love’s Travel Stops Launches Private-Label Brand Traverse Travel Gear

Stores launched a new private-label

e Travel Gear is designed to be a mix of road trip essentials and pieces to maxi-

t w h i l e o n t h e g o , t h e Oklahoma City-based retailer said.

T h e i n i t i a l p r o d u c t o f f e r i n g includes a neck pillow, a traditional-

private brand products within our stores

Our customers recognize Love’s as the heart of the highway and look to us for premium alternatives at a value We’re proud to make our products available to customers as they traverse our network of 600-plus stores nationwide ”

The products were designed based on customer feedback and demand to get them back on the road quickly and comfortably, Love’s said They come from OKEO-TEX certified production facilities, which ensures textiles are safe

tested for quality and ethically produced, Love’s said

In the coming months, Love’s will roll out additional products, like the Traverse Travel Gear three-in-one backpack and the Traverse Pro Series, which includes tactical flashlights and cooling gel seat cushions

weight throw blanket Traverse Travel Gear products are now in 450 Love’s

stores nationwide Prices range from $14 99 to $19 99

“Love’s loyal customers expect a brand they can trust,” said Eddie Burt, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Love’s “That’s why we prominently place Love’s

Category Manager ‘Really Worried’

About Center Store Price Hikes at C-Stores

Chris Long has always looked at the center store as incredibly important.

“

e , w h i c h h a s 2 , 2 0 0 s t o r e s a n d

1 , 0 0 0 m e m b e r s , w a s f o u n d e d a s a

b u y i n g g r o u p . I t c e l e b r a t e s 2 5 y e a r s i n 2 0 2 5 .

The snacking occasion has gotten huge, Long said. “I love that there’s something for everybody. No matter the diet or mood, center store is doing

a g r e a t j o b o f p r o v i d i n g w h a t e v e r

y o u ’ r e i n t h e m o o d f o r , ” i n c l u d i n g healthy options

afford products such as this, he said, adding, “This is one of the things killing center store.”

Another challenge, and one of the most consistent complaints he hears in his 10 years in retail, is inconsistent service levels in the center store. “It’s beyond frustrating. ‘This guy didn’t show up’ or whatever. It really hurts the small guys who don’t do a lot of volume.”

Innovation

C-stores must continue to innovate, he continued

“I believe center store is the most ripe for disruption,” he added, noting the array of products, such as “silly little toys” you put on your finger “Someone ordered 30,000 and they s o l d o u t i n t w o w e e k s

R e g a r d i n g c h a l l e n g e s , L o n g s a i d , “ I ’ m r e a l l y w o r r i e d a b o u t p r i c e i n c r e a

That’s center store to a T ”

F o c u s o n i m p r o v i n g t h e c o n s u m e r v a l u e proposition, he said “Aim to offer products and servi c e s b e t t e r t h a n w h a t ’ s available now We have to focus on this ”

A strong consumer value proposit i o n s h o u l d a d d r e s s t h e c u s t o m e r ’ s pain points, show the value they will receive, and differentiate the business from competitors

Love’s has more than 400 privatelabel products

The company operates 649 travel centers and convenience stores in 42 states

.loves.com.

“How can I get your attention without giving you a price discount?” he asked.

There are six points to the proposition, he said:

1. Identify the target audience. Who are they are why are they interested? What are their needs and wants, issues and aspirations?

2. D e s c r i b e t h e a u d i e n c e ’ s c o n t e x t , issues, needs and wants. The solution m i g h t b e s i m p l e , s u c h a s a m o r e refreshing drink or a more convenient IT solution.

3. Select two unique, compelling benefits that differentiate you. What are the differentiators? How is it better or different? What are the few unique benefits being offered?

4. Explain how you offer these benefits/features better than anyone else. What are the unique products, services or processes that enable these benefits to be unique and deliverable?

5 Determine how much a customer will pay – 10% more than market average? As much as market leaders?

6 F o r i n t e r n a l u s e , u n d e r s t a n d t h e competition to address it What are the tradeoffs for customers? Is your proposition available in fewer stores or in limited color and range?

Importance of Planning

When it comes to remodels and new-toindustry stores, convenience-store retailers must be nimble and prepared to help things go as smoothly as possible

That’s the advice from MJ Simons, L e a d R e t a i l C a t

convenience stores

“Plan, plan, plan – yourself and your team,” said Simons, who has been

at Delek for two years. Delek’s retail o p e r a t i o n s a r e b e i n g s o l d t o M o n t e r r e y , M e x i c o - b a

(FEMSA). “Think about what you want to get out of it before meeting with others. Brainstorm. I knew exactly what I wanted. You’ll go back and forth, meet with others, share notes.”

A f t e r a f i r s t r o u n d , p l a n a g a i n , Simons said “What’s in the budget, what can we ask for? If I do my a, b, c, who doesn’t get to do their a, b, c?”

“After the first round, we went to the store and reviewed what we did right and wrong,” he said “No matter what, when you make plans, be ready to make changes ”

“ C o m p l e t e d ” i s n o t t h e g o a l , Simons said “We completed the first part, but what now? Get feedback from customers If customers say they don’t like what you did, ask why did you do that, do we have answers for them, such as why we picked certain colors, etc – and can we go back and fix what customers said we did wrong?”

In their project, Simons said, “One of our main goals was flexibility “We wanted a very clean and neutral look ”

H e s a i d t h e y i n c l u d e d u r a n i u m blue in their color scheme “because we wanted to stand out ”

“Be flexible in your life, be flexible in your professional life, and carry that over in how you work with your teams because you don’t know who you’re working with,” he said

Dollar General Announces Partnership with World Central Kitchen in Wake of Hurricane Francine

I n t h e w a k e o

Dollar General announced a partnership with World Central Kitchen (WCK) to support disaster response and provide nourishing meals in the communities it serves following natural disasters

may need it most.”

The DG-supported Rapid Response F i e l d K i t c h e n a l l o w s W C K t o b e g i n cooking within hours, enabling them to serve fresh meals immediately as local restaurants, stores and suppliers come back online

and other crises

deployed the new Dollar General-supported Rapid Response Field Kitchen

The custom-designed, all-terrain vehicle that can quickly access hard-toreach communities and provide up to 3,000 hot meals and 1,500 sandwiches each day for people in need

“With more than 20,000 stores in communities across the country, Dollar General is committed to being there for our neighbors, especially in times of c r i s i s , ” s a i d D e n i n e T o r r , D o l l a r General’s Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy

“We are honored to partner with WCK to deliver nourishing meals to provide hope in our hometowns when they

was also on the ground in Florida

Menu Innovations Fuel Foodservice Sales

food-forward convenience store retailers to compete in a market where customers have a plethora of restaurant options available to them Whether or not a new menu item will become permanent, the excitement of new and s

asm for the brand

Co , which has 21 Cliff’s Local Market

menu for two to three months “ W e

c r e a t e excitement, especially for our regular customers, but not grow our menu,” Fry said

Knoxville, Tennessee-based Pilot Co , with nearly 900 locations in 44 s

Central Kitchen is deeply grateful to Dollar General for making our Rapid

WCK’s Chief Relief Officer “This support transforms our ability to mobilize with the urgency of now to provide fresh, nourishing meals as quickly as possible ”

of Serving Others, Dollar General continues to support recovery efforts in communities it serves following disasters In addition to its WCK partnership, which runs through 2029, the company c

Cross to aid relief and recovery efforts

a l Literacy Foundation supports rebuilding school libraries affected by natural d

Words program

t h e u l t i m a t e h i g h - p r o t e i n c o m f o r t

f o o d f r o m s t a r t t o f i n i s h W h i l e c r o i s -

s a n t s a n d w i c h e s t y p i c a l l y l e a n t o w a r d b r e a k f a s t , t h e m e a t a n d c h e e s e i n t h e H i l l s h i r e F a r m S t u f f e d

C r o i s s a n t s s t r e

Y o r k , c h a n g e o f season is its cue to add new limitedtime offers (LTOs) to its menu, said Derek Thurston, Cliff’s Director of Foodservice Operations An example is its recent three-item “Taste of Summer” collection, featuring seasonal fruits, including a salad of strawberries, blueberries, candied walnuts, goat cheese, baby spinach and sweet Vidalia onion dressing Another simpler LTO from the collection was a singles e r v e b o w l p a c k e d w i t h f r e s h - c u t watermelon

Cliff’s doesn’t limit its innovations to the lunch and dinner dayparts Earlier this year, the stores brought out a new three-meat French toast stack, composed of two slices of cinnamon swirl French toast, an egg patty, sausage, bacon, ham and American cheese

“This sandwich was phenomenally successful, accounting for between 171 8 % o f a l l b r e a k f a s t s a n d w i c h e s ordered from January through March,” Thurston reported

F o r t h e f i r s t q u a r t e r o f 2 0 2 5 , Thurston is working on LTOs that will spotlight turkey burnt ends, which he described as “the first new, innovative turkey in years ” Unsure that customers w o u l d r e s p o n d t o t h e d e s c r i p t i o n “burnt ends,” he plans to christen the product “smoked brisket-style turkey.” For this rollout, he will develop a wrap, sandwich and melt.

“A beef brisket LTO we introduced last year did really well, so we expect a good response to the turkey,” Thurston pointed out. “Turkey has a health halo while also being a comfort food, so it hits on different notes for the winter months.”

Beef brisket was also a winner when Sayre, Pennsylvania-based Dandy Mini Mart added it to its menu last spring, according to James Fry, Foodservice Director for the chain, which has 60 stores in Pennsylvania and New York. For that LTO rollout, Dandy introduced the meat as a topping for pizza with barbecue sauce, cheese and ranch dressing; in a brisket mac and cheese; and on a flatbread.

LTOs generally remain on Dandy’s

x Canadian provinces, recently launched a spicy chicken sand-

pany’s Research and Development Chef

with new products, “we gather feedback from our guests about their preferences, as well as work with our vendor partners to evaluate upcoming cuisine styles, flavor profiles and overall trends in the marketplace,” he stated

Two other items Sagnella is excited to see recently added to the menu as LTOs are a spicy Italian pizza and a Southwest salad, which he pointed out is a healthier option combining chicken, jalapeños and corn

LTOs Gain Permanence

Some LTOs become so lucrative that they are added to the menu year-round An LTO item that earned a permanent spot in Cliff’s grab-and-go selection, for instance, is a chipotle turkey and bacon sandwich

“Even though this is a premium item with a slightly higher price point t h a

accounts for 28% of all of our grab-andgo sandwiches,” Thurston stated

At Dandy, breakfast LTOs have done well, Fry noted For example, waffles as a sandwich carrier stirred up so much excitement among customers that they were added to the permanent menu

Some of Pilot’s LTOs, too, returned to t h

, Sagnella commented. This year, the c

Pilot Big Dog, a half-pound, 100% allbeef hot dog wrapped and baked in a garlicky dough. Nashville Hot Wings, which the company debuted a couple of years ago, were so popular that they were added to the permanent menu. The same goes for several breakfast sandwiches.

All three retailers pointed out that they use as many ingredients already in inventory as possible when creating new menu items.

Fry also explained that a key question when considering an LTO’s success is whether the new items can be executed at store level, even if the store is short staffed

Restroom Reputation Affects Customer Perception

While c-stores might be hot spots for topping off fuel levels and snagging a quick snack and drink, they are also known for another aspect of hospitality: a place to use the restroom, especially for road-weary travelers

For this reason, it’s important for cstores to be hyper-focused on restroom design and cleanliness If a cust o m e r , p a r t i c u l a r l y o n e w h o f i n d s themselves on the road frequently, has a positive restroom experience, they’re

store or chain in the future

Each area in a c-store’s operations has the potential to encourage brand

n g impressive restrooms

Cleaning With Care

W e i g e l ’ s , w i t h 7 9 s t o r e s l o c a t e d i n Tennessee, operates a strict cleaning regimen in order to maintain high restroom standards.

As part of the chain’s daily restroom cleaning schedule, the trash bins are emptied, each surface is cleaned and disinfected, the toilets and urinals are scrubbed and disinfected, supplies are

Big League (Cont’d from p 1)

and parents alike Big League Chew is the No 2 sugared bubble gum brand in the convenience channel, and its double-digit L52W dollar and unit sales growth significantly outpaces the category

Below are some highlights from the 2024 season, as well as a look at w h a t ’ s o n d e c k f o r T h e B a l l p l a y e r s ’ Bubble Gum®!

Packaging Graphics Update Featuring New & Improved Character Lineup

E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r , B i g L e a g u e C h e w rolled out all new packaging graphics Putting a playful spin on Big League Chew’s retro style, the new players have been rated by consumers as more appealing, modern, cool, energetic and exciting

EG America (Cont’d from p 1)

restocked, and the floors are mopped

At midday, employees do a spot check and cleaning, refill supplies and disinfect high-touch areas

Before closing for the day, many of these same tasks are performed, along with a maintenance check and a final floor mop

To this end, Weigel’s also ensures restrooms undergo a weekly deep cleaning, during which the standard daily tasks are performed along with scrubbing walls and stall partitions, deep cleaning tile grout and polishing fixtures

Monthly, the vents and air ducts are cleaned, the plumbing is checked, and the fixtures and fittings are inspected.

Finally, during hight

Indiana, also understands the importance of maintaining high restroom standards

Johnny’s Markets’ restrooms are cleaned at a minimum of three times a day; however, for its locations situated on interstates, more attention is given to the restrooms due to high traffic

Additionally, three times per year, the chain’s leadership team visits the stores for a “white glove” inspection, known as Image Tours, and the restrooms are given a deep clean during this time

Delighting With Design

Cleanliness is not the only aspect of a restroom to draw customers The layout, design and atmosphere can sway customers’ perceptions, as well

more frequently, and a more vigilant staff presence is required to quickly address any issues related to restroom cleanliness that arise.

“ O u

packaging graphics wasn’t to re-invent the brand, but instead to ensure that Big League Chew resonates with the new generation of ballplayers chasing their big league dreams,” said Ford G u m C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O

L e r n

i n

u p aligns Big League Chew more closely

w i t h t o d a y ’ s d i

scape We are thrilled to roll out new packaging that better reflects our consumers, their values and the athletes that inspire them ”

B i g L e a g u e C h e w : T

Bubble Gum of USA Baseball®

Rooted in baseball culture for over four decades, Big League Chew has been a staple for generations of players and fans of America’s pastime This partners

Casey’s announced its fall menu lineup on LinkedIn, which includes the return of “the fan-favorite” Ultimate Waffle Breakfast Sandwich; the limitedtime jalapeño popper pizza, which is a “gooey, smoky and subtly spicy combo – featuring Mike’s Hot Honey”; and the p u m p k i n c r u n c h d o n u t , a d o n u t topped with sweet vanilla icing and crunchy cinnamon cookie crumbles, which “makes its return just in time for spooky season ”

(Cont’d. from p.

on-demand delivery to their loyal customers,” said Daniel Korman, Head of Specialized Delivery for Uber Direct “We’re excited to support their continu e d g r o w t h t h r o u g h h e l p

h e m meet their customers where they are and being a trusted partner in bring-

barn lighting overhead

Johnny’s Markets also opted for touchless sinks and paper towel dispensers as well as foaming soap

n doesn’t only have to be practical, however It can be fun as well

At Weigel’s, the restrooms are also separate for men and women They each have individual stalls for privacy and comfort with space to accommodate every customer, including those with mobility aids

B r i g h

m s a r e designed to assist those with young children, including changing tables

Remodels and n e w

with three stalls for the former and two stalls and urinal for the latter. Larger restrooms are being built for new-build locations.

The chain uses white subway tile around the sinks with metal gooseneck

beloved and iconic bubble gum brands w i t h t h e n a t i o n ’ s p r e m i e r a

baseball organization

Baseball are excited to team up in various capacities, such as USA Baseball branding featured on every pack of Big League Chew, product placement in dugouts during USA Baseball events and collaborative social media content s h o w c a s i n g h o w t h e c o u n t r y ’ s t o p young talent has fun with Big League Chew as they chase their big league dreams

Line Extensions and New LTOs On Deck

Recent Line Extensions:

• Big League Chew Grape Gumball 80ct Bucket

• Big League Chew Sugar Free Gum 40ct Jars – Amazon Exclusive

Toot’n Totum recently launched its pumpkin spice coffee The Texas-based retailer wrote on LinkedIn: “We don’t care that it’s still hot outside It’s pumpkin spice season!”

Weigel’s updated restrooms sport neutral tones and mosaic tile accent strips with darker tones for sophistication and contrast The primary tiles are beige and taupe for a warm and inviting atmosphere The mirror frames are dark brown and black

The chain’s restrooms also feature stainless steel fixtures The faucets have infrared sensors, and the hand dryers, toilets, urinals and trash cans are also touchless

Customers provide feedback on the state of the restrooms through a comment box, as well as digitally.

P a y i n g a t t e n t i o n t o c l e a n l i n e s s , but also design and ambiance, goes a long way in gaining customers’ trust.

Upcoming Big League Chew LTOs:

• Pickoff Peppermint – Q4 2024

• Opening Day LTO Pouch – Q1/Q2 2025

• Summer LTO “Camo Pouch” – Q2/Q3 2025

• Fall Classic LTO Pouch – Q3/Q4 2025 F

t o w w w fordgum com or stop by booth #N1873

snacks in both branded and private

419.903.0403, ext. 1213 or stop by booth #C4683.

Recent data from Placer ai found that pumpkin spice coffee flavors are driving foot traffic – this year on the Thursday when Starbucks’s pumpkin spice menu dropped, foot traffic to Starbucks surged 24 1% from the coffee giant’s daily average for the previo u s e i g h t T h u r s d a y s , a c c o r d i n g t o Placer ai

Headquartered in York with roots dating back to 1747, Rutter’s is a privately held chain of convenience stores

Rutter’s 276-year history makes it the oldest vertically integrated food company in the United States

.rutters.com.

Crazy Monkey Baking (Cont’d. from p. 1)

Rutter’s