CStore Decisions
CStore Decisions
Subscribe
Offering c-store retailers, suppliers and distributors news and product info to stay abreast of industry trends.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
2 days ago
The Hassan Family Grows Power Market Convenience Stores
CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Sal Hassan, president and CEO of H&S Energy, and his son Amir Hassan, operations coordinator for H&S Energy. The family-owned company is expanding its network of company-owned Power Market convenience stores and ExtraMile locations, while launching a wholesale distribution branch, proprietary delivery service, loyalty program and developing its first cashierless store. Listen as we talk about running a family business, and H&S Energy's growth plans.
Sep 11, 2020
CWU Executive Chef on Campus Changes, Fresh Food Concept
CStore Decisions Associate Editor Isabelle Gustafson catches up with Central Washington University (CWU) Executive Chef Joe Ritchie about the campus' new Fresh Bar Concept, which offers healthy food options using fresh produce grown right on campus, as well as some more traditional comfort food staples.
At the start of the fall semester, the campus dining program is also launching mobile ordering and working to keep dining options fresh, safe and convenient for students and staff.
Sep 8, 2020
Speed Mart’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
Viral "Joe" Patel immigrated to the United States at the age of 10 along with his immediate family. By his teenage years, he was working in his grandfather's convenience store. Now, he and his brother — along with other family members — operate a small chain begun with the purchase and renovation of one store, growing with the new build of another and acquisitions of a handful more. This family-owned business never misses a chance to maximize its resources — doing many of its own renovations, embracing energy efficiency and pursuing new revenue via multi-function financial kiosks. Join C-Store Decisions Senior Editor Thomas Mulloy in a chat with Patel about Speed Mart's journey.
Aug 21, 2020
What is Blockchain?
CStore Decisions’ Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Jeremie Myhren, chief information officer for Rockford, Ill.-based Road Ranger convenience stores, and the chairman of the Young Executives Organization (YEO) about blockchain.
Blockchain was invented in 2008 in response to the financial crisis. But what exactly is it, how does it work and what do convenience store retailers need to know?
Myhren gives a basic overview of blockchain for those who aren’t familiar with the concept, and then shares how it’s being used today in retail — including at companies like Walmart and Starbucks. He also talks about how it’s relevant to convenience store chains specifically, and why it’s important for c-store retailers to pay attention to blockchain now.
Myhren also gives a preview of some of the deep-dive blockchain information he’ll be sharing in his upcoming National Advisory Group (NAG) virtual session presentation on Sept. 9, at 2 p.m., and how c-store retailers can sign up (for FREE!) to be included in that presentation. Listen in to learn more!
Jul 23, 2020
Chris Postlewaite Talks Cruizers Foodservice
CStore Decisions Associate Editor Isabelle Gustafson speaks with North Carolina-based Cruizers Director of Foodservice Chris Postlewaite, who joined the 26-store chain in May. Postlewaite shares his plans for improving upon and expanding Cruizers' foodservice program, with a focus on pizza and fried chicken.
Jul 10, 2020
Irfan Tejani Talks Charge Up Growth
CStore Decisions magazine is recognizing Charge Up convenience stores as a Chain to Watch in the year ahead. CStore Decisions Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with young executive entrepreneur Irfan Tejani, the president and CEO of Tejani Holdings Inc., the parent company of Charge Up, about his path in growing Charge Up from one to 40 locations in just 10 years, as well his growth plans for the future and his advice for other young executives.
Jun 30, 2020
Selling CBD: Compliance & Legal Issues
As the Hemp-CBD marketplace evolves amidst an inconsistent regulatory framework, brick-and-mortar retailers are faced with questions about product quality, choosing reputable suppliers and complying with federal, state and local guidelines. Selling CBD host and CStore Decisions Senior Editor Thomas Mulloy welcomes Daniel McGee, chief legal officer with Solari Hemp, and Chris Howard, vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer with Forth CBD, to help make sense of it all.
Jun 29, 2020
AiFi NanoStore
CStore Decisions' Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Steve Gu, CEO and co-founder of AiFi, to learn more about NanoStore and the future of autonomous checkout.
Jun 26, 2020
NRSPodcast
CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock talks with Suzy Silliman, the Senior Vice President, Data Strategy and Sales for National Retail Solutions (NRS) about the impact independent urban convenience stores are having on mainstream retail trends.
Jun 19, 2020
C-Store Oracle: Nicotine On Demand
Michelle Arthur, loss prevention and tobacco buyer for Montana's Town Pump convenience store chain, joins C-Store Oracle and CStore Decisions Senior Editor Thomas Mulloy to discuss tobacco-free nicotine on demand products, merchandising and sales trends.
Jun 4, 2020
Kum & Go Works to Be Part of the Change
CStore Decisions’ Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Tanner Krause, president of Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go, which operates more than 400 convenience stores in 11 states.
Following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police and the resulting outcry and protests across the country, a lot of businesses are asking questions, including “how do we become part of the change that is needed — not just for this moment but long-term?”
Krause shares how Kum & Go is working to be part of the change, especially by listening to the voices of people of color and educating themselves and their team, and how convenience stores can lead right now in their communities and to be part of the push for a more inclusive world.
Jun 1, 2020
Standard Store Talks Autonomous Checkout
CStore Decisions’ Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with Evan Shiue, vice president of finance and strategy for Standard Cognition. Standard Cognition was one of the first tech startups in the autonomous checkout space. It operates a 1,100-square-foot cashier-less convenience store called Standard Store in the heart of San Francisco. That store is open to customers and fully equipped with Standard Cognition’s autonomous checkout solution. Evan is speaking about Standard Store, autonomous checkout technology and trends ahead for autonomous checkout in 2020.
May 20, 2020
Weigels Podcast
CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock speaks with Mary Brookshire, who worked on the frontlines at Weigel's convenience stores for 41 years. Mary retired on May 1 and shared some of her most memorable experiences from the past four decades.
May 18, 2020
C-Store Oracle: Refuel Discusses Double Quick Acquisition
Mt. Pleasant, S.C.-based, Refuel has grown from a five-store chain to a fleet of 84 convenience stores across three states in a little over one year. Mark Jordan, founder of Refuel, and Travis Smith, chief administrative officer and general counsel of Refuel, talk with CStore Decisions' Executive Editor Erin Del Conte about its latest Double Quick acquisition and other initiatives.
May 11, 2020
C-Store Oracle: Position Your C-Store Chain to Thrive When the Pandemic Ends
CStore Decisions' Executive Editor Erin Del Conte speaks with John Matthews, founder and president of Gray Cat Enterprises Inc., about what convenience store retailers can do now to prepare to best position themselves to thrive when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
May 6, 2020
FriendshipPodcastFINAL
Greg Ehrlich, President of Beck Suppliers, talks with CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock about the company's FriendShip convenience store chain and the current state of convenience retailing.
Apr 22, 2020
Dailys PodcastMP3
CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock speaks with John Rodriguez, the Chief Operating Officer for First Coast Energy/Daily's Convenience Stores about its donation of 2,000 care packages to those in need during the COVID-19 crises.
Apr 14, 2020
COVID-19 Update: Human Resources Considerations During Coronavirus
Shortly after the Humetrics/CStore Decisions annual HR Benchmarking Survey concluded, COVID-19 arrived creating a very different retail landscape. Mel Kleiman, founder of Humetrics, speaks with Erin Del Conte, executive editor of CStore Decisions, about the annual HR survey, tried-and-true human resources best practices and what c-store retailers can do from an HR standpoint to be successful despite COVID-19.
Apr 10, 2020
COVID-19 Update Podcast: Crosby's Responds to COVID-19
Doug Galli, vice president and general manager for Reid Stores/ Crosby's, and the board chairman of the National Advisory Group (NAG) sat down with CStore Decisions to share how COVID-19 is challenging the c-store business and how his chain is responding.
Apr 7, 2020
C-Store Technology Oracle: How C-Stores Are Approaching Robotics & AI
CStore Decisions speaks with Frank White, founder of White Knight Marketing, about how convenience stores are approaching artificial intelligence and robotics, and what retailers need to consider before embarking on these new initiatives.
Mar 19, 2020
Choice Market Leads with Innovation
CStore Decisions recently spoke with Mike Fogarty, CEO of Denver-based Choice Market, about how Choice is standing out with better-for-you food, an omnichannel approach and new technology. The chain is introducing a new delivery platform, with plans to offer the entire store product base for delivery using its own fleet of electric vehicle drivers — ideas all chains can benefit from as they look to find new ways to serve customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Choice is also gearing up to offer frictionless checkout with the opening of its fourth location.
Feb 29, 2020
Selling CBD: VERC Enterprises Moving Full Speed Ahead on CBD
New England convenience store chain VERC Enterprises CEO Leo Vercollone talks about his company's robust commitment to entering the CBD-hemp marketplace through a partnership with Ceres Natural Remedies and his personal experience with CBD products.
Jan 3, 2020
C-Store Technology Oracle: Social Media Trends Ahead for 2020
Mari Smith, social media thought leader and premier Facebook marketing expert, shares social media best practices and trends convenience store retailers should consider for 2020.
Dec 19, 2019
C-Store Technology Oracle: What C-Stores Can Learn From the Airport Environment
Ramon Lo, publisher of Airport Experience News, shares his insights on how the airport industry is adapting to the new trends and technology disruption also impacting the convenience store industry.
Sep 4, 2019
C-Store Technology Oracle: Autonomous Checkout
Richard Crone, CEO of Crone Consulting and Heidi Liebenguth, managing partner of Crone Consulting, dive deep into what convenience store retailers should keep in mind when evaluating autonomous checkout opportunities, and what to do now to prepare themselves for frictionless checkout.
Jun 6, 2019
C-Store Technology Oracle: Biometrics and C-Stores of the Future
Aaron McLean, chief operating officer for Stuzo, shares information about the company's C-Store Future Vision Platform that predicts what c-stores of the future might look like. Nicola Buck, head of marketing at BP shares information on a lab test BP did featuring biometrics at the pump and other frictionless initiatives including BPme.
Mar 14, 2019
C-Store Technology Oracle: Anticipating Disruption & Tech Trends Ahead for 2019
C-Store Technology Oracle speaks with Daniel Burrus, a global futurist and best selling author, about the biggest technology trends set to impact convenience store retailers in 2019.