by John Keller | Nov 7, 2022 | Customer News, Fuel Price Management, Fuel Pricing Software, Fuel Pricing Strategy, Fuel Pricing Technology, Fuel Software, Industry News
NACS published an excellent article discussing how the line between c-stores and QSRs (Quick Serve Restaurants) has blurred or is even nonexistent.
The NACS article is based on a Forbes article saying convenience stores are likely taking market share from quick-serve restaurants. The Forbes article references research from Cardlytics, a company that provides information on consumer spending, showing that food sales at c-stores have increased to over 20% and that the category is likely taking market share away from traditional quick-service restaurants. Since 2019, convenience store share has increased from 18.42% to 21.39%. One advantage is wait time: the average wait time at a QSR is about 7 minutes, while the c-store average is 4 minutes. And some c-store chains like Sheetz offer drive-thru and pickup services.
Cardlytics has two Blogs on this market share topic. The first article titled “Convenience Food Purchase Insights vs. Traditional QSR” attributes the stealing of market share to the evolution of the c-store food offering and the made-to-order menu. The second article titled “Convenience Stores are a Surprising Threat to Quick Service Restaurants” concludes that 59% of customers consider purchasing a meal from a c-store when stopping for fast food.
Another example of a c-store chain that has blurred the line is TXB, formerly branded as Kwik Chek. Their stores now offer locally sourced, ready-to-cook meats, such as marinated beef skirt steak and chicken breast fajitas, as well as artisan products like fine chocolates, gourmet cheeses, salamis and wine.
NACS says foodservice now makes up 35.5% of in-store gross profits at c-stores.
by John Keller | Nov 4, 2022 | Customer News, Fuel Pricing Strategy, Fuel Pricing Technology, Industry News
Casey’s is expanding their number of EV charging stations, more than doubling the number of EV chargers during the past year, according to the NACS article here. “As part of our environmental stewardship efforts, we are exploring a number of ways to provide our guests with more lower carbon fuel options, including biofuels and EV charging stations”, said president and CEO Darren Rebelez. Casey’s makes it easy to find their EV charging stations via their web page here. Casey’s makes it easy to order fresh food while charging your vehicle. “Place your online order for fresh food or groceries and have it ready when you are.”
Casey’s is partnering with Electrify America, local utility companies, and EV manufacturers such as Tesla as they build out their EV strategy to align with evolving trends.
Casey’s also operationalized its solar array to help power its newest distribution center in Joplin, Missouri, with about 14% of its energy use coming from the solar array. This is part of their effort to minimize the environmental impact of its operations and improve sustainability practices across the organization.
by John Keller | Sep 21, 2022 | Customer News, Fuel Price Management, Fuel Price Optimization, Fuel Pricing Software, Fuel Pricing Strategy, Fuel Pricing Technology, Fuel Software, Price Advantage, PriceAdvantage
We just wrapped up another successful PriceAdvantage User Conference, where once again we had lots of face time with so many of our customers. The conference had a great turnout again this year, which is a testimony to how much our customers enjoy the time interacting with other like-minded retail fuel pricing folks at this event. The attendees loved the opportunity to brush up on their product knowledge, discuss the product roadmap, and provide direct feedback on where the software should go. They also enjoyed their 1:1 time with the PriceAdvantage team.
This is our sixth User Conference, and the attendees this year all told us they will be back again next year.
We’re already looking forward to our 2023 User Conference!
by John Keller | Jul 8, 2022 | Customer News, Fuel Price Management, Fuel Price Optimization, Fuel Pricing Software, Fuel Pricing Strategy, Fuel Pricing Technology, Fuel Software, PriceAdvantage
Parkland is rolling out the On The Run brand as a critical part of its strategy to grow by 5X by 2025. CStore Decisions is recognizing OTR as a Chain to Watch – read about it here.
Technology is a crucial consideration as Parkland looks to scale the OTR brand. “The team has been focused on systems, process and technology,” COO Jay Erickson said. “We’re standardizing on one technology system and then getting everybody onto that system.”
by John Keller | Jun 29, 2022 | Customer News, Fuel Price Management Solutions, Fuel Price Optimization, Fuel Pricing Software, Fuel Pricing Strategy, Fuel Pricing Technology
Sheetz utilized the combination of their PriceAdvantage retail fuel pricing software and Skyline signs to make a dramatic downward fuel price move across their markets for the July 4 holiday. The press they’ve garnered has been incredible, with headline stories like this one on Fox & Friends: “Sheetz CEO offers gas at $3.99 per gallon through July 4 holiday weekend.” Sheetz CEO Travis Sheetz was interviewed on Fox & Friends – the link can be found here.
by John Keller | May 15, 2022 | Fuel Price Management, Fuel Price Management Solutions, Fuel Price Optimization, Fuel Pricing Software, Fuel Pricing Strategy, Fuel Pricing Technology, Fuel Software, Retail Fuel Margins
We hold a PriceAdvantage User Conference every year, and we just announced the dates for 2022. We’ll be holding this year’s conference September 19-21 at The Cliff House in Manitou Springs. It’s a beautiful venue, named a “Top 100 Hotels of the World”.
Day one will include the opportunity for 1:1 meetings with the PriceAdvantage team, followed by a welcome reception and dinner. Day two will be a full day of discussions, followed by a group dinner. Day three will provide more opportunities for 1:1 meetings.
We look forward to seeing you there!
