Resources for Retailers brings real-world solutions to single store and small chain convenience operators.
Resources for Retailers is a growing knowledge center and a community for those retailers who are always competing for resources generally more available to large operators.
Continue reading for ‘how-to’ best practice guidelines with real-world, actionable takeaways written by subject matter experts.
“Only one dollar!” This was the sales pitch of the young man working the hot and dusty marketplace in the Cambodian countryside. Holding up the trinkets on offer, he had been impersonating my shadow for the last two or three minutes since he had profiled me as a tourist — and a fresh target for […]
It was a dark and stormy night. The small boat was being rocked and pummeled by towering waves. Hard rain slashed across my face and continued to drench my clothes as I became a human sponge. Slightly in front and above me, the captain of the boat kept trying to make headway on a course […]
Embrace the risk of failure—but pull the plug when it arrives For a brief, shining moment, I was the quarterback of a football team. Granted, it was in middle school, but the coach looked at me and saw a kid who was too small to play on the line and too slow to be a […]
Lutefisk. It is one of the national dishes of Norway. To make it, catch yourself some cod, clean it, cover it in salt, leave it to dry for a couple of weeks until it is the consistency of tree bark (a metaphor for texture, not taste), and store it in a dry place. Before you […]
Control your paperwork and stay in compliance to avoid finding out. I promise that this is not a trick question about alternative fuels, online retailing or robots. It is a meditation on a situation we came across recently and, sadly, happens quite often in the fuel industry. Our company, StrasGlobal, provides contract site operations for […]
Eight tips for dealing with out-of-stocks and other supply chain issues. “Oh, dearest father. If my heart’s greatest desire is not fulfilled by Christmastide, surely I will perish from this earth and my ghostly remains will wander these lands for the rest of eternity. “ This, or something like it, is what my then six-year-old […]
Many customer theft issues can be resolved with good customer service. In my previous column, I talked about employee theft. According to the 2020 NACS State of the Industry report, store “shrink” (which includes theft and breakage) averages about $12,700 per store per year. And 33.2 percent of that is due to employee theft, according […]
Minimize employee theft by letting your staff know that you’re paying attention to the details. We have a lot to learn from George Clooney’s life of crime. As you may remember, Mr. Clooney starred in the remake of “Ocean’s Eleven” and several sequels, as well as not appearing in “Ocean’s 8” (the one with Sandra […]
Convenience retailing today requires being nimble and providing a unique offering to customers, according to President Eva Strasburger. TEMPLE, Texas — The convenience channel is both lauded for being a disruptor when it comes to innovation and viewed by some retail experts as a laggard. Eva Strasburger, president of StrasGlobal, a privately held retail consulting, […]
The StrasGlobal CEO helped shepherd the c-store industry through the pandemic. TEMPLE, Texas — Convenience store industry veteran Roy Strasburger, CEO of StrasGlobal, has one guiding principle that has been translated into his company’s mission statement: “To make life better for our team, for our customers, for our clients.” “We put those groups in that […]
Don’t neglect the most visible part of your business—the forecourt. “How did it get to this point?” Have you ever experienced the situation when you are looking around and, suddenly, your eyes seem to snap into focus and you see the teetering piles of papers on your desk, dirt on the floor, shoes left out […]
Presented By: Roy Strasburger, CEO, StrasGlobal With retail foot traffic down, how do we stay relevant? See your store the way your community sees you. And, visit your neighborhood for what they need. StrasGlobal shares tips to see your stores “inside/out” and “outside/in” so you stay relevant. Is your business relevant to YOU? Is your […]
Single-store owners and small chains can find unique ways to stay competitive in their markets. NATIONAL REPORT — Whether operating a single store or a small chain, surviving and thriving against the larger convenience store chains is always top of mind for the industry’s small operators, and it can be challenging at times. The big […]
One of the most important aspects of the convenience store business is often overlooked when discussing store operations—gasoline. This is interesting because we all know that fuel sales have a huge impact on the profitability, if not the financial viability, of a retail site. We often talk about the correct pricing for a candy bar, […]
Funding programs are helping many independent businesses that have struggled through the pandemic. If you’ve lost sales of 20% or more, federal funds available now can help your business. Raymond Huff, owner of HJB Convenience and Russell’s Convenience Stores, and a Resources for Retailers Advisory Board member, talks openly about the federal funds he used […]
Now that the COVID-19 Vaccine is here, retailers must have a vaccination policy and plan for their workforce. Communicating how to get vaccinated and helping employees through the process should be of the highest priority for all businesses. As with their COVID-19 Response Plan, StrasGlobal has been proactive in researching and developing a COVID-19 Vaccination […]
Food trucks bring opportunity when people are social distancing and seeking to stay outside. The key is to communicate and maintain health and safety protocols for employees and customers at all times. Retailers looking for a safe and creative way to draw customers to their sites can generate community excitement, provide unique menus, and create […]
I have a secret. It’s something that will help you, but it’s not new information. In fact, it might be right under your nose. I am often asked if there is a way for small operators to compete against their larger competitors. The question has taken on even more significance during this time of pandemic […]
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 […]
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 […]