Imagine we’ve all seen it by now: That one customer who just refuses to wear a protective mask in the store. That’s been one of the biggest surprises of the COVID-19 pandemic to me. It’s pretty straightforward: COVID-19 is mainly spread by airborne particles, people get sick by breathing them in, and wearing a mask […]
Issue: Strange Times -The Fires That Burn, Sept 14, 2020 Team, 2020 continues to be a year of surprises – most of them unpleasant. Just two weeks ago I was letting you know about the damage that Hurricane Laura did to the homes and personal property of our Louisiana team (and we are currently keeping […]
Issue: Strange Times -Rolling With the Changes, August 12, 2020 Team, As we continue through the COVID crisis there are two big questions on everyone’s mind: when will a vaccine be available and what is life going to be like when the pandemic is over? There are reports that a vaccine may be available by […]
Issue: Strange Times – More Voices: Perry Kilgo, July 27, 2020 Team, Today’s Strange Times is by our Chief Operations Officer, Perry Kilgo. I’ve worked with Perry for many years in different countries. I have always admired his commitment to the industry, his retail experience, and his willingness to share his outstanding knowledge. As COO, […]
Issue: Strange Times – More Voices: Caleb Hill, Jul7 21, 2020 Team, Last week I told you that Caleb Hill had been named as one of the Future Leaders in Convenience for 2020. Caleb is our District Manager for North Texas and California. Here is Caleb’s contribution to our More Voices series. Caleb’s words: Hello […]
Issue: Strange Times – Caleb Hill, Jul7 17, 2020 Team, I am very pleased to announce that Caleb Hill has been named as one of Convenience Store News Future Leaders in Convenience for 2020! The CSNews FLIC award recognizes “young people (aged 35 and under) working for convenience store retailers who are already making significant […]
There is a quote, usually attributed to Rahm Emanuel, that “no good crisis should go to waste”. That is our feeling at StrasGlobal. We are in the process of using the lessons that we have been learning during the COVID-19 crisis to change the way we operate our business and to incorporate new ideas and […]
Issue: Strange Times -Our New Mask Policy, July 8, 2020 Team, I know that I keep bringing up the issue of wearing masks. That is because it is important. It is very tragic that we have a deadly virus in our country that is killing so many people. However there is a way to slow […]
Issue: Strange Times -More Voices: Tohid Chowdhury, June 25, 2020 Team. We have another submission for our “more voices” series in Strange Times. Today, I am pleased to present Tohid Chowdhury. Tohid is the manager of Store 3911 in Melville, NY. Tohid’s words: The Corona virus is invisible to the human eye. Its spread has […]
Issue: Strange Times -More Voices: BJ Manning, June 19, 2020 I was delighted to receive two submissions following my request on Wednesday for “more voices” to be published in Strange Times. Sometimes you throw out an idea and wonder if anyone will respond – so thank you BJ and Tohid for responding to my call […]
Issue: Strange Times -More Voices, June 17, 2020 Team, I originally created Strange Times as a means for me to be able to communicate directly with you about how StrasGlobal is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. I felt it was important for you to hear from me about all the new health and safety initiatives […]
Issue: Strange Times -Our New Mask Policy for Customers, June 15, 2020 Team, We have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it develops. As always, our priority is your safety and your family’s health. Back in early April, StrasGlobal mandated that all customers had to wear a mask in our stores. The reason we set […]
Issue: Strange Times -Essential Employee Bonus and Stra$bucks, June 3, 2020 Dear Team, Thank you for the great work that you are doing in the stores. The country is starting to open up again and our customers are coming out after the relaxing of stay at home restrictions. While we still need to be careful […]
Issue: Strange Times -We Are One, June 1, 2020 Team, I am sure that all of you are aware of the events that have been happening around the country over the last few days. The horrific death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the circumstances surrounding it, has again highlighted the problem of racism in […]
Issue: Strange Times -StrasGlobal Team Fund, May 22, 2020 Even though many places are starting to relax their stay-at-home mandates, times are still difficult for many members of our team. With this in mind, we have established a StrasGlobal Team Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to help our team members who are having […]
Issue: Strange Times -We’re Famous!, May 21, 2020 It is always a good feeling when your peers recognize the work that you are doing. On Wednesday, May 20th, StrasGlobal was featured in an article in the online daily newsletter of NACS (the National Association of Convenience Stores). Today, Thursday, May 21st, CSP magazine also carried […]
Issue: Strange Times – Welcome to StrasGlobal Video, May 13, 2020 Team, I want to let you know that we have put up a new short video on our website. We have had a large increase in visitors to our site due to our Response Plan and the media interest in our COVID-19 initiatives. Therefore, […]
Issue: Strange Times -Online Ordering and Curbside Delivery, May 12, 2020 Dear Team, I’ve got some really exciting news to share with you! We’ve launched our new online ordering and curbside delivery program at two stores in Texas. We’ve been thinking of getting into online delivery for a while and COVID-19 was the motivation we […]
Update: The StrasGlobal COVID-19 Implementation Review is a follow up to our COVID-19 Response Plan and looks at how that plan was implemented. We have taken each action point and strategy outlined in the Response and shown whether it was implemented or not. Furthermore, we have included additional observations made during our handling of the […]
Issue: Strange Times -KN95 Masks, May 8, 2020 Dear Team, We are not finished with the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus is still out there. People are still getting sick. People are still dying. To stay healthy we must continue to follow our safety precautions: wash your hands, maintain social distancing, don’t touch your face, and […]
Issue: Strange Times -StrasGlobal Podcast, May 6, 2020 Dear Team, NACS – the National Association of Convenience Stores – gave us the opportunity to tell the StrasGlobal story on their podcast. When I mention StrasGlobal I am referring to you and the work that you do every day. I am excited to share our story […]
Issue: Strange Times -Online Ordering Test, May 6, 2020 Team, As we are entering Phase 2 of the COVID-19 period, StrasGlobal is introducing new programs and ideas in order to meet the needs of a changing customer and to increase our sales. The world is changing and we want to be ready. I am pleased […]
Issue: Strange Times -The StrasGlobal Vision Group, May 5, 2020 Team, Thank you for all of the hard work that you have done to bring us to this point. We are moving out of Phase One (crisis response) of the COVID-19 pandemic and into Phase Two (sales and business development). Now is the time to […]
Issue: Strange Times -The Fight Is Not Over, April 30, 2020 Dear Team, Everyone is getting tired of the COVID-19 situation. I get it. For weeks now, we have been social distancing, wearing masks, and wondering if it is safe to go to work or to the grocery store. We are being careful about what […]
Issue: Strange Times -On to Phase Two, April 28, 2020 Dear Team, I’m sure that you are hearing the news that some states and local governments are starting to relax their COVID-19 restrictions. I hope that their leaders are right and that the infection rate is on the decline and we won’t see another spike […]
Issue: Strange Times -Helping the Neighborhood, April 25, 2020 Dear Team, Over the last few weeks, we have been working hard to make sure that all of our team members are safe during this COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your work in putting our health programs into place and we appreciate your effort to make […]
Issue: Strange Times -Is This the End of the Beginning, April 24, 2020 Dear Team, I know that you have heard, as I have, about the possibility of COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed. People want to go back to work and to get out of their houses. State governments are starting to allow businesses to reopen […]
Issue: Strange Times -The GROCER Act, April 23, 2020 Dear Team, The last few weeks have been a difficult financial time for everyone. Family members have lost their jobs or have been furloughed due the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses have disappeared and the economy is in bad shape. StrasGlobal has been trying to help with the […]
Issue: Strange Times -Our Supportive Clients, April 22, 2020 Dear Team, As we have been meeting, and overcoming, the challenges posed by the COVID-19 virus, we have recognized the great work done by our fellow team members in the store, the field, and the office that keep our stores operating. You are working every day […]
Issue: Strange Times -Take Care of Your Mask, April 15, 2020 By the end of today, and no later than tomorrow, you should receive your blue fabric mask. We had a mask specially made for each of our team members by a company in Austin, Texas. While these masks are not as effective as the […]
Roy Strasburger is a frequent contributor to FMN (Fuels Marketer News), online publishers of news for the fuels and convenience store industry. As everyone is very well aware, the COVID-19 (“Corona”) virus has changed the way that we are living life. Public gathering spaces are closed, retail outlets are closed, and social interaction as we […]
Issue: Strange Times -Essential Employee Bonus, April 14, 2020 Dear Team, The dedication and effort that you have put into our business over the last month has been outstanding. We are hearing from our customers about the great things that they are experiencing at our stores – a great attitude, excellent customer service, and a […]
Issue: Strange Times -The mask saves lives, April 10, 2020 Dear Team, On Wednesday I wrote about how important it is that you wear your mask while you are working to protect you from the COVID-19 virus. A mask can give you some protection from airborne molecules that carry the virus. Studies show that aerosolized […]
Issue: Strange Times -Thank you to our support team, April 9, 2020 Dear Team, We spend a lot of time focusing on what is happening in our stores. This is appropriate because it is in the store where our business takes place. However, I want to take a moment to thank everyone in our support […]
Issue: Strange Times -The mask saves lives, April 8, 2020 Dear Team, Last Friday, the CDC stated that it recommends everyone use a face mask when outside their house. Wearing a mask helps reduce the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus by limiting the number of molecules that are transported by air. This is […]
The following provides links to resources at the state level, alphabetically, for COVID-19. Links include COVID-19 News, State Resources, and State Departments of Health. Information is updated continuously. State Resources include state COVID-19 information, updates, FAQ’s and more. Also included for reference is each state’s Official Government Website. Alabama Official Government Website: Alabama State Government […]
The following resources are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration: Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the SBA website: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources including Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Loan Advance, SBA Debt Relief, SBA Express Bridge Loans, Guidance for Businesses and Employers, SBA Products & Resources Government Contracting, Local […]
Issue: Strange Times -StrasGlobal April Monthy Newsletter, April 7, 2020 Dear Team, The April StrasGlobal monthly newsletter has hit the internet and is a special COVID-19 Edition. It has a lot of information about what we are doing to fight the COVID-19 virus and how to keep you and your family safe. You can read […]
GONZALES, La.—Two Marathon gas stations in Louisiana want to sell more local products in response to COVID-19. The c-stores are seeking out local businesses and restaurants to ask if they can sell their products at the Marathon locations, reports Brproud.com. While gas stations are considered an essential business during this time, StrasGlobal, which manages the Marathon […]
The coronavirus can survive on common materials for hours or even days. Please see the PDF for what you need ot know and how to protect yourself: Coronavirus – How long does it live on surfaces? Source / PDF provided by: Austin American Statesman http://statesman.tx.app.newsmemory.com/?publink=0ee5511c9
Issue: Strange Times -Thank you to our teams, April 6, 2020 Dear Team, I don’t think we can tell you “thank you” often enough for the great work that you are doing. Please watch this short video message. Keep up the great work! Roy Roy Strasburger President, StrasGlobal Email: strangetimes@strasglobal.com
Issue: Strange Times – Store 1421 is a Star!, April 3, 2020 Dear Team, Thank you for the work that you are doing – particularly in implementing all the new health, safety, and COVID related programs. I am constantly impressed with how the store teams take onboard ideas and training from the support team and […]
Issue: Strange Times – Community Outreach, April 2, 2020 Team, As you know, we have been working hard to put additional protections into our stores to slow down the COVID-19 virus. You have already seen changes such as adding sneeze guards, installing social distancing signs on the floors in the stores, limiting the number of customers […]
Issue: Strange Times – Our Operations Team, April 1, 2020 Dear Team, Today, I want to shine a spotlight on the people who are working ceaselessly to support our team in the stores. Not only are they implementing new programs to keep our store team and customers safe, they are making sure that our business […]
Issue: Strange Times – Health Insurance Information, March 31, 2020 Dear Team, The COVID-19 pandemic has created anxiety and concern at many levels. Probably the biggest concern for all of us is the cost of healthcare if we, or someone in our family, gets sick. StrasGlobal has been in contact with our health insurance company, […]
The following resources have been provided by the CDC: Up to the minute COVID-19 information including symptoms, how to prepare, along with business, travel and community resources and more: Coronavirus (COVID-19) CDC COVID-19 information at the State level: COVID-19 State Summary Tip: On the COVID-19 State Summary page, scroll down to the Map section on […]
The following healthcare information has been distributed by Teladoc, our health insurance provider: An update from Fringe Benefit Group (FBG), provider of The American Worker, on what they are doing to help their clients and employees to address COVID-19: Important Update: From the American Worker Special Enrollment Period for Individuals who Previously Declined Health Insurance […]
Issue: Strange Times – Our COVID-19 Response, March 30, 2020 Dear Team, I know that you have seen the changes that we have been making at our stores as we confront the spread of the COVID-19 virus: placing sneeze guards at every POS position, enforcing social distancing, intensifying our cleaning procedures, removing self-service food items, […]
Issue: Strange Times -Video Message from Roy, March 27, 2020 Today I am presenting my message by video. Please click below to view the video. Roy Roy Strasburger President, StrasGlobal Email: strangetimes@strasglobal.com
Issue: Strange Times – Knowledge is Power, March 26, 2020 The more you know, the better you can prepare for the future. This is as true with the current COVID-19 crises as with anything else. There is a lot of information circulating on internet. Some of it is correct and some is not. We are […]
Issue: Strange Times – Keep Clean, March 25, 2020 Our number one concern is about your health and the health of your family. Therefore, it is imperative that during this time of infection you follow the correct procedures for cleaning your hands and your work surfaces. It is one of the ways to slow down […]
Issue: Strange Times – What We’re Doing To Keep You Safe, March 24, 2020 I want you to know that your safety is our highest priority and we will stay ahead of the COVID-19 situation. In addition to our executive team, we have put together a task force of five industry experts that are working […]
Issue: Strange Times – Thank You, March 23, 2020 Dear Team, Thank you. That’s really all that I can say at the moment. The work and dedication that you have put into your store over the last few weeks has been nothing short of heroic. These have been very difficult times. They are difficult for […]
Issue: Strange Times – We’re In This Together, March 20, 2020 Dear Team, Welcome to strange times. I know that the world around us is changing quickly. Life, as we know it, has become something that we no longer recognize – school and offices closed, bars and restaurants shut down, sporting events cancelled. It can […]
Image: CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS As you are aware, there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and deaths in the United States and we are dedicated to educating our employees to help reduce the spread of infection in our stores and communities. We will be following the suggested guidelines put forth by […]
Our cashiers and customer service representatives are our first line of defense in regard to the sale of restricted products. I am usually a pretty easy-going guy. I like to think that I get along well with others and that others can get along well with me. I don’t get rattled often. About a month […]
Temple, TX February 21, 2020 — COMPLIANCE SAFE™, a software service that manages your permit, license and certification renewals process, announces an agreement with Energy North Group (ENG), a Leader in both wholesale distribution and retail operations throughout New England and New York. “We know that permit, license and certification renewals can be tedious and […]
AI takes care of repetitive tasks so humans can focus on more creative and substantial issues. In the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the computer HAL takes control of a space mission, making decisions that lead to the deaths of most of the astronauts on board, before it is shut down by the lone survivor, […]
By Roy Strasburger SIGMA Tech Trends Workshop 2019 Best Practice Trends—How to Manage and Leverage Your Data to Make Better Business Decisions November 12, 2019 Austin, TX— Staying on top of market evolution trends and disruptors is critical to keeping your business successful. During SIGMA’s 2019 Annual Conference November 4-6, 2019 in Austin, TX, petroleum […]
By Roy Strasburger Originally Published in Fuels Market News How hard can it be to have hot fresh coffee available all of the time? If you operate a c-store, you know it can be hard. It’s early morning. While the darkness of the previous night is slowly starting to dissipate, the fog inside your head […]
By Roy Strasburger Originally Published in CSP Magazine One of an employer’s main expectations is that staff be mentally alert and aware of the environment around them. The employee can enhance the safety of the business and the people in the store. He or she can also sense when the extra effort is needed to turn […]
Become your own mystery shopper to raise your standards and improve customer service By Roy Strasburger Originally Published in Convenience Store News WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, one of my tasks was to keep my room clean and tidy. Every day, I was to pick up my clothes, books and toys and put them in […]
By Roy Strasburger Originally Published in Fuels Market News About once a week we receive a phone call that goes something like this: “I am the son/daughter of a family that own a convenience store. My mother and father started the business and have decided to retire. They have left it to me to run […]
The tactics of using a competitor as a benchmark fall into three categories By Roy Strasburger Originally Published in Convenience Store News “THAT’S INTERESTING.” Have you ever walked into your main competitor’s shop and had that reaction? As you look around the store, you see a product you had not heard of, a promotion you […]
If you own or operate one or more retail locations, understanding the best ways to merchandise the available retail footprint you have available is essential for maximizing revenues and providing customers with a more complete shopping experience. However, what do you do when you have available space that is not monetized? Read below to find […]
Today it takes more than a competitive base salary, a benefits package and a positive office environment to hire top talent. Job seekers are looking for more than just the basics – they want to feel cared for and respected. Read below to find 9 incentives to consider when looking to hire top talent: 1. […]
By Roy Strasburger Originally Published in CSP Magazine Store design is the equivalent of a good store employee: It should help communicate the brand, give the customer more value for their visit and make jobs easier. Most retailers don’t have the luxury of tearing the building down and starting from scratch. So how do we […]
C-Store owners continue to face various pressures. From new competitors and formats, to assortment changes and keeping up with the latest marketing and technological advancements, it’s not easy to keep up with the shifting landscape. Consumer preferences are also changing and recent trends indicate a preference for healthier food options and environmentally friendly products. Consider […]
You’ve done your homework. You’ve optimized your product assortment and were sure to strike the right balance of new products and established brands on-shelf, but you’re not converting shoppers into buyers. Why not? There are numerous reasons shoppers don’t convert into buyers; below are some of the 8 most common opportunities that you can address […]
Whether you’re completing your first summer internship or you are the Founder and CEO of a company, there are countless reasons to find a mentor or become a mentor. Many of the reasons may be personal; however, there are some common insights among these groups. Read on to find some of the more common reasons […]
Take a look around the consumer goods industry and you’ll see a great deal of change. Everything from the reduction of plastic straws, to workforce reductions and significant store closures and bankruptcies. Change is upon the retail industry and if your c-store isn’t prepared for the future, you could get left behind. Consider these four […]
Photo caption left to right: Roy Strasburger, CEO StrasGlobal Paul Melgaard, VP Supply Sunoco LP Dan Dunstan, Dir Sales and Operations Parkland USA Travis Booth, General Counsel & VP Corp. Development Empire Petroleum Partners LLP San Francisco, CA – Communication, technology and financial training for dealers, within the backdrop of understanding cultural and language differences, […]
The forces arrayed against the small retailer, including Amazon, Instacart and Uber meals ,are enormous and growing. Services and products are just a click of the mouse, push of a button or swipe of the screen away. So what is the small independent retailer to do? Should they wait meekly until the inevitable destruction of their […]
Everything you want to accomplish in retail revolves around proper training By Roy Strasburger Originally Published in Convenience Store News TRAINING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT of the foundation on which to build a retail business. Everything you want to accomplish in retail revolves around training. I firmly believe that good salespeople are born, but […]
By Keith Reid Originally Published in Fuels Market News There are more business models for the integration and management of the fuel and retail operations than most people would ever imagine. Similarly, each side of the business brings with it the requirement for unique skill sets. It was generally considered that traditional fuel wholesalers moving […]
Newspaper and Internet headlines are filled with corporate earnings and reviews, policy updates and changes, and general unrest for the employees and investors at any given company. Most companies are in the business of making a profit and when the standard methods of arriving at said profit aren’t enough, drastic action may be required. Read on to delve into some of the recent market changes that could have an impact on […]
Employee development doesn’t stop after an orientation, a few training sessions and distribution of an employee manual. Engaging with your staff – particularly the motivated, eager and energized employees – can really have a lasting impression on your c-store. Here are 3 reasons engaging in meaningful employee mentorships matters for c-store owners and operators. 1. Unemployment rates are at an all-time low – In May, 2018 the United States unemployment rate […]
Exceeding customers’ expectations may be the one thing all retailers strive to do. But what if providing a clean facility, friendly service and well stocked shelves isn’t enough? What if your customers are judging you on more than just the customer service experience? Well, some are. Some customers are looking beyond the shiny objects and smiling faces and looking at factors such as sustainability, environmental […]
Temple, TX, July 20, 2018 – StrasGlobal CEO Roy Strasburger announces services dedicated to distressed asset protection and asset performance. The leading choice since 1997 for global oil brands, distressed assets managers, real estate lenders and private investors seeking a complete, turnkey retail management solution, StrasGlobal “reflects the trust that has been placed in our […]
Let’s face it, competition is everywhere and comes in all shapes and sizes. Gone are the days of competing against similar retail types. You’re now in competition with everyone selling goods. From brick-and-mortar to online players; every retailer is out for your customers’ share of wallet. So how do you win in this space? Continue reading for a refresher […]
The digital revolution may be upon us; however, customers are still shopping brick and mortar locations. While grocery and mass merchants may see a shift (albeit small) from traditional shopping to on-line, c-stores have the advantage of people traveling. C-Stores play an important role in customers’ daily lives and this is amplified during the summer months. Read on to find 3 areas of opportunity where c-store owners […]
Consider your last trip to a retail location, can you remember how you were treated by one of the employees? Odds are customers will interact with someone in your facility during their visit. So, doesn’t it stand to reason that these employees are well-trained and exemplify the message that your business is trying to send? Investing in employee training goes beyond a knowledgeable associate – it has […]
Let’s start with the basics, not all retail consultants are created equally. The mere fact you’ve hired one for your company doesn’t mean your bottom line will improve. That said, hiring the right team could make all the difference. Read on to find out how the right retail consultants can help improve your business. 1. […]
Temple, TX, June 13, 2018—“Pop-up” stores are all the rage for landowners and property managers with vacant space. Now, with Rapid Retail there’s no waiting for a Pop-up operator to come to you to fill the empty space. Rapid Retail contract services delivers property managers a streamlined menu of retail options to eliminate or prevent […]
You’ve looked around; you’ve done your research. You know that there are a few different options when it comes to outsourcing retail site management. It may also be fair to say you’ve narrowed your search down to just a few. Let us help you complete your due diligence. Here are the top 10 considerations when […]
The concept of outsourcing isn’t a new one. In fact, outsourcing can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution (1700’s) when companies were looking to reduce labor costs. While outsourcing isn’t a new phenomenon, the outsourced resources have shifted. Today, companies can outsource nearly every component of running a business; but is that the best […]
We’re all in business to succeed and while success means something different to everyone, it may be safe to assume that if we’re selling products, we want to sell more today than we did yesterday. So how can we build baskets and ultimately sales? While there may not be a perfect mix of assortment, displays, […]
Finding the right people to operate your C-stores can be a challenge but it’s not the end of the job for the HR professional in your organization. New employees require on-boarding, training, re-training and mentorship if they are expected to be top performers. These activities take time. Consider the following three areas to focus on […]
Business accounting might not seem exciting, and to some it may even be intimidating, but it’s the foundation of any successful business and who doesn’t want to be part of a successful business? Here are three accounting services that can improve your company’s bottom line. SEE ALSO: 3 Ways to Address C-Store Labor Challenges P&L […]
As defined by Businessdictonary.com, opportunity cost is: a benefit, profit, or value of something that must be given up to acquire or achieve something else. Understanding the principles of opportunity cost should get any business person amped up about making a profit on vacant retail space. We’ve all seen it, a vacant retail space in […]
StrasGlobal draws on 60 year family heritage as innovators in convenience and small format site management. Temple, TX – Convenience Management Services, Inc. (CMSI), the leading choice since 1997 for global oil brands, distressed assets managers, real estate lenders and private investors seeking a complete, turnkey retail management solution, is changing its name from CMSI […]
There are many components that a store operator needs to do right to have a successful business. Good customer service is a must. Having the proper selection of products appropriately priced is very helpful. Freshly made food and a beverage bar can provide additional gross profit opportunities. I think we can all agree on these things. […]
It’s happened to all of us. A visitor who you haven’t seen for years comes by to stay at your house for a couple of days. This is the home you’ve lived in for several years and you are house-proud. You clean it regularly. You even pick up the dirty laundry when you aren’t expecting […]
As we all know, the last month has brought devastation to various parts of our country. Hurricanes in Texas and Florida. Wildfires in Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington state. Heat waves in New York and New Jersey. These natural events have had a huge impact on individuals, communities, and businesses. We operate stores in all […]
Low in-store sales, high employee turnover and declining gross profit margins are just a few of the problems Roy Strasburger, president of Convenience Management Services Inc. (CMSI), may encounter when he and his team take over a convenience store and gas station. Temple, Texas-based CMSI’s mission, simply put, is to operate retail locations for those […]
As we’ve expanded our operations over the last few months (we are currently operating sites in 9 states), I’ve been reminded how consistent training is so important to a successful operation and an engaged team. It’s a topic that I keep coming back to on a regular basis – as you can see from my […]
Everyone knows that theft is a major issue in the convenience store industry. The general public hears about robberies in the media all of the time. Convenience stores are caricatured as easy places to rob. Many of our stores are open 24 hours a day giving people with bad intent places to go late at […]
There is not a more analog job than driving a long haul truck. In this profession, everything is rooted in the real world. The trucks, trailers, and cargo exist. They are tangible. And they go from one place to another in real time through real space in the real world. This week I am attending […]
A few weeks ago I attended the NACS Leadership Assembly in Miami (which I highly recommend, by the way, if you can get an invitation). One of the objectives of the LA is to look over the horizon to see threats to the c-store business of the future. The main topics of this year’s session […]
My apologies for my absence from the site over the last few months. 2015 was a very busy year for us. We expanded our business by including more sites into our program through handling several “distressed” sites during foreclosures and receiverships and by adding more long-term sites with owners who want to own and control […]
During this cycle of posts I’ve been writing about the need to stay competitive to survive in the retail world. In the last post I started on the need to listen to a specific group of constituents – customers, employees, and competitors – to determine what you need to do to stay competitive. We’ve started […]
In retail, every day is a new day. With each sunrise, your competitors are thinking of ways to steal your customers and employees, take away your sales, and, in general, put you out of business. Every day a business owner has to think of ways to move her business forward – better customer service, products, […]
When you think about customer service and the retail experience, what are your memories? I would venture to guess that in ninety percent of all of your retail interactions the customer service you received didn’t make an impression on you. Think about it, when you are outside the house you may participate in several, if […]
We are in the middle of a set of posts that talk about how listening can help a retailer stay competitive in today’s market place. I think that there are three distinct groups that we need to listen to. The first is the customer. We need to try to learn what they want from us. […]
Over the last few posts we’ve been exploring the idea of being competitive in today’s retail market. One of the ways be being competitive is to create or introduce new products and services to help your customers. So the question became – where do we get the ideas we need to stay competitive? I’ve suggested […]
In my last post I wrote about how “compete is a verb” is one of my favorite business sayings. The bottom line is that if you are not competing every day your business is going to be left behind. So how do we find out what we need to do to stay competitive? My answer […]
In my last blog I wrote about the sharing community – how technology is allowing us to share or borrow under-utilized things (cars, bedrooms, lawnmowers, etc) through sites such as Uber and Airbnb. My point was that technology, rather than isolating us as we become more and more involved with our computers and smartphones, is […]
Over the last few years I’ve often heard how recent technology is causing society to break down. Although social media is allowing people to be in touch with more people on a more frequent basis than ever before there is less and less direct physical interaction. There are legions of virtual “friends” but nobody actually […]
Over the last two weeks I’ve posted thoughts about how the smart phone is creating a revolution in retail transactions and ways that the smart phone can be used to provide more convenience to the customer. Although it is still too early to tell what the industry standard will be for both of these uses, […]
We are in the middle of a series of posts on how smart phones may affect your business. My last blog was about mobile payment systems. The next one will be about showrooming. This one is how we can use smart phones to speed up customer service in regards to food service. You’ve been in […]
Over the next few blogs I’d like to share some thoughts on smart phones and how they may affect the convenience industry. This isn’t going to be about social media and the advantages/disadvantages of getting your message out to phone holders or the need to engage with them on Facebook, Twitter, or the dozens of […]
I must admit that I’m not much of a professional basketball fan. But, being a native Texan, I couldn’t ignore the NBA finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat. As I’m sure you know, San Antonio won the series four games to one. The recent contest has created a great sports metaphor […]
Over the last four weeks you have indulged us by letting us tell you about our new suite of programs. We find with the more people that we work with, the more opportunities we find to make business easier for them. Our commitment is to make retail headache free and these new programs offer economical […]
Summer is upon us. The sun is out, summer vacations have started, and the American dream of swimming, bar-b-ques, and outdoor fun is in full swing. It’s not too late to make sure that you are ready to maximize the opportunities that the summer season has to offer. Traditionally, summer has been the peak time […]
We are pleased to introduce the fourth new CMSI program that we have added to our suite of retail solutions. This tool is designed for those people who have a financial risk or liability exposure through the operation of a retail fuel site. If you are a fuel wholesaler or jobber, a landlord of a […]
The last couple of weeks we’ve been announcing new additions to the CMSI suite of retail solutions. Our new programs are the result of client’s requests: they have a problem and we provide a solution. We want to make these available to you as well. The third new program that CMSI is proud to introduce […]
Hi there! We at CMSI are really excited to be rolling out three new programs and with this, and the next two posts, we will be shamelessly plugging our new services and what they can do for you. Normally we keep the posts on this blog more focused on industry issues but, hey, it’s our […]
About three weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the 2014 NACS SOI Summit held in Chicago. It is an event sponsored by the National Association of Convenience Stores and CSP Magazine. The annual Summit brings together the leaders of many of the country’s most progressive convenience retailers to hear about how the industry […]
I attended the NACS SOI conference two weeks ago (more about that in next week’s blog). While there I had a conversation with another business owner. During the conversation we talked about the ups and downs of owning and, more importantly, being responsible for the life of a company. It is often easy to think […]
As I mentioned last week, we are using this space last week and the next two weeks to introduce some new CMSI programs that we are very proud of. Last week we debuted our CMSI Accounting Package and you can read more about it on the blog post below. Today, we are pleased to announce […]
If you have been kind enough to have read my postings over the last year you will be well aware that customer service is a topic that is often on my mind. In these days of channel blurring and homogenized retail offers, it is the way people are treated in our stores that will provide […]
I was in a convenience store in an economically depressed part of Houston recently. It was well run store – a wide variety of products stocked on the shelves, clean, and attentive customer service. But you could tell from the outside of the store, the surrounding neighborhood, and the customers that walked through the door […]
With the recent legalization by Colorado of the retail sale of marijuana and the upcoming legalization in the state of Washington, the question of pot in the work place is surfacing again. The issue first came up with the approval of the sale of medical marijuana in the 1996 in the state of California. The […]
I recently read an article called “How junk food can end obesity” by David Freedman (published in the July/August 2013 issue of the Atlantic magazine) that got me to thinking about what “healthy food” really means and how it relates to what has been called an obesity crisis currently affecting the United States. In his […]
The Economist magazine (January 18th edition) recently had a major article about whether new technology will replace workers. We’ve all heard the stories and have seen the movies about robots and computers replacing humans in the work force. In these scenarios, the displaced worker either becomes the billionaire owner of a tech start up or […]