FRONT END Industry News
Correction From July Issue In one of the more bizarre experiences of my 25-year career covering the convenience store industry, CStore Decisions has learned that the images sent to us for the Mountain Express Oil (MEX) article in our July issue featured CEO Turjo Wadud posing at a convenience store in Atlanta that was not his own or affiliated with MEX in any way. CStore Decisions would never have published these images if we knew the store featured in the photos sent to us had no connection to Wadud or MEX. Upon learning this information, CStore Decisions pulled the article in its entirety from our digital issue and website and replaced the front cover image online in the digital issue. The story will remain removed from our website. This is an unprecedented situation. The true owners and operators of the store in question, Buckhead Shell (The Shoppe @ Buckhead), were disappointed to see their flagship store, which took over seven years to design and build, featured in a story highlighting someone else’s brand. We have been assured by Wadud’s public relations team at M-Squared PR — who randomly picked the
store to do the photo shoot — that the move was not intended to take credit for another retail brand. Unfortunately, that was the perception from Buckhead Shell, and how the story may have appeared to readers. Buckhead Shell commented, “We believe we were misled by Wadud and his team, who stated that they were doing an article 'for the industry.' Had they told any of us that they were planning to use our pictures on the cover page of CStore Decisions July 2021 issue, we would have stopped it immediately. We have spent a lot of time and energy building this store along with Clipper Petroleum, and we are deeply hurt with this turn of events.” As editor-in chief, I know how hard it is to build a store that stands out in a competitive market, and I apologize for the misperception. I have expressed my apologies to the owners of Buckhead Shell and Clipper Petroleum. We have instituted safeguards to ensure this doesn't happen again. Buckhead Shell has graciously agreed to a profile feature in a future issue of CStore Decisions. — John Lofstock, editor-in-chief, CStore Decisions
Foxtrot Set for 50-Store National Expansion
Chicago-based Foxtrot is growing, with plans for 50 new stores across the country within the next two years. The brand, which already operates in Chicago, Dallas and Washington D.C., is expanding into New York City, Austin, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles and Houston, among other locations. New store formats will be twice as large as Foxtrot’s earliest models and feature expansive on-premises dining, enhanced cafe menus and in-store merchandising that anticipates trends within the consumer packaged goods landscape.
BP to Fully Acquire thorntons BP announced an agreement to acquire full ownership of its Thorntons convenience stores joint venture. BP has agreed to purchase the majority share it does not already own in the business from ArcLight Capital Partners LLC. The deal is expected to close later this year following regulatory approvals. Following the transaction, BP will become a leading convenience operator in the Midwest, with 208 owned and operated locations across six states, including Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Florida. BP plans to retain and build on the Thorntons brand. 22
CSTORE DECISIONS •
August 2021
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