24/7: The NACS Blog

2/4/2010

How many of us wondered what our boss would do in our shoes? Employees of a Dallas 7-Eleven store found out, when 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto joined the store’s staff incognito as part of the reality show Undercover Boss. In his new identity as "Danny Rossi,” DePinto made coffee, cleaned the store, placed product orders and made overnight deliveries.

DePinto went on The Oprah Winfrey Show to detail his experiences, and took part of the time to publically thank 7-Eleven employees who excelled in their stores: Combined Distribution Center employee Igor Finkler was awarded his own 7-Eleven franchise store with all franchise fees waived, and DePinto committed to 7-Eleven donating $150,000 to a kidney donation charity in the name of Dolores Bisangni, who has worked for 7-Eleven for 18 years, has only one kidney and undergoes dialysis treatments twice weekly.

"The most important thing I learned is how critical it is that we must take care of our stores and their employees [...] This is our mission, and all of us have an important role," DePinto said.

Posted at 11:12 AM by czuazua | Email this Post | Comments (0)

2/2/2010

Cutting Back on V-Day

It appears that couples this year plan to spend less on each other but more on their family, friends, co-workers — even their pets. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2010 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, couples will spend an average of $63.34 on gifts for their significant other or spouse, compared to $67.22 last year.

The average person will shell out $103 on traditional Valentine’s Day merchandise this year, similar to last year’s $102.50. Total holiday spending is expected to reach $14.1 billion. As in previous years, men will spend nearly twice the amount women spend on the holiday. The average man plans to disburse $135.35 to impress the people in his life while women expect to spend $72.28.

Personal and practical gifts will resonate with celebrants again this year, as more people will look to sweaters, winter accessories and other clothing options in place of jewelry or an evening out. Traditional gifts such as greeting cards, candy and flowers remain popular choices.

“The economy has forced consumers to rethink their gift giving practices,” said Phil Rist, executive vice president of strategic initiatives for BIGresearch, which conducted the survey.

Posted at 3:55 PM by czuazua | Category: Merchandising; Industry Data | Email this Post | Comments (0)

2/1/2010

Speak No Evil

PCI compliance regulations just got a little more interesting. Last week, PCI announced that the protection given to written records of credit card information will now extend to digital audio capture (i.e., taking info over the phone) as well.

The main reason for this is a scheme wherein thieves will call a center and enter into a protracted conversation will taping the call with the intent of recording background conversations with sensitive information and extracting that data for abusive purposes. Fortunately, PCI made an exception that will significantly decrease the impact of this rule on retailers: cassette tapes are exempt, since they cannot be “data mined” as easily.

Learn more about PCI compliance and how NACS can help.

Posted at 12:18 PM by czuazua | Category: Technology; Operations | Email this Post | Comments (0)

1/27/2010

Oldie but Goodie

Since its modest beginnings in 1885 as the concoction Charles Alderton created at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, the drink formerly known as the “Waco,” has grown into a national brand: Dr Pepper.

After it was first poured, Dr Pepper gained such widespread consumer favor that other soda fountain operators began buying the syrup from the Old Corner Drug Store. In 1904, Dr Pepper made its nationwide debut when it was introduced to almost 20 million people attending the World’s Fair Exposition in St. Louis.

Dr Pepper is launching a range of activities this year to celebrate its 125-year milestone with its consumers. Plans include downloadable content for consumers on DrPepper.com, as well as engaging with fans via Facebook and Twitter.

Posted at 10:26 AM by czuazua | Category: Merchandising | Email this Post | Comments (0)

1/25/2010

You Asked for It!

Talk about speedy feedback! 7-Eleven’s Facebook page posed a simple question: “What would you like 7-Eleven to sell that they don’t?” Within an hour, more than 100 comments had been posted, with suggestions ranging from serious (milkshakes, fresh-made subs) to silly (unicorns, jelly bean-filled Slurpees, gin and tonic water) had been posted. How’s that for variety?

Visit the NACS Facebook page and become a fan for more news on how the c-store industry is using technology to evolve its customer base and loyalty.

For more coverage on technology, read May 2009 NACS Magazine feature “World Wide Networking.”

Posted at 1:45 PM by czuazua | Category: Technology; Best Practices | Email this Post | Comments (0)

1/20/2010

Faking It

Police in Vernon Township, Pennsylvania, a town about 85 miles north of Pittsburgh, said that a young man tried to pass a counterfeit cigarette coupon at a Sheetz store on Sunday, the Meadville Tribune reports.

Police said the man submitted a phony coupon for $4 off a pack of Marlboro cigarettes. The coupon was designed to appear as if associated with Smartsource, a company that offers online coupons and mailed circulars. However, the computerized bar code was not accepted by the cash register.

No arrests have been made and police said that the coupons were probably produced locally.

Posted at 4:22 PM by czuazua | Category: Operations | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Bird’s Eye View

Who ever heard of going to a grocery store to watch cooking? The Voltaggio brothers, Brian and Michael of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” reality show, demoed their culinary expertise at Giant Eagle’s Market District concept in Pittsburgh. And the chefs were impressed...by a grocery store!

The brothers note on their Web site: “This store has over 600 employees, it's 150,000 square feet and has anything and everything that you could possibly imagine; a candy shop, sushi bar, charcuterie, and an enormous selection of cheeses. There is even a hydroponic garden in the produce section. I have never seen a store of this magnitude. It was such a site to see and experience.”

For more coverage on Giant Eagle’s innovative store layout and grocery’s impact on the convenience store industry, see the NACS Magazine January feature “Don’t Look Now."

Posted at 11:58 AM by czuazua | Category: Best Practices; Merchandising; Operations | Email this Post | Comments (0)

1/18/2010

Lending Haiti a Hand

General Mills and Irving Oil are the latest industry names to partner with the Red Cross in providing relief to Haiti after the devastating earthquake last Tuesday. General Mills has pledged $250,000 to support disaster relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti, and Irving Oil has committed an initial $50,000, as well as matching employ donations dollar for dollar until January 31.

Irving employees have responded to the incentive by organizing a variety of fundraisers, including 50/50 draws, donation boxes and casual days.

For more information on how different players in the c-store industry are helping or to get involved, see our NACS Daily story “Haiti: How You Can Help.”

Posted at 2:18 PM by czuazua | Category: Operations; Global | Email this Post | Comments (0)

1/12/2010

Smokin’ Fuel?

Tobacco is giving researchers in Philadelphia a new kind of buzz – one that could help fuel vehicles. According to this article in The Register, tobacco would certainly face hurdles on its way to the gas tank, such as the amount of farmland needed to raise a sustainable supply.

Tobacco-based fuel could, however, provide an alternative profit center. Tobacco products comprise nearly 40% of in-store sales and c-stores sell approximately 80% of the country’s gas – can you imagine customers buying tobacco inside the store and a tobacco-based product at the pump? Whoa!

Posted at 12:27 PM by czuazua | Category: Tobacco; Technology | Email this Post | Comments (0)

1/5/2010

How Debit Costs Your Customers

By now you probably saw the New York Times article on credit/debit card fees and the effects on consumers. Not surprisingly, it’s gaining attention from the blogosphere, including this one at Forbes.com, “How Debit Cards Cost Consumers.”

Check out the blog and heed the call to action at the end: "I’m looking to hear from consumers. Is the convenience of debit cards worth the price?"

Posted at 12:42 PM by czuazua | Category: Credit Card Fees | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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