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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
Clouds. Throughout the centuries, clouds have indicated power and mystery. The Greek gods lived on Mount Olympus above the clouds. The heavenly kingdom has always been imagined in the clouds above the earth. Thoughts of freedom are represented by birds soaring through the clouds. When I travel, one of the things that always mesmerizes me […]
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, […]
TEMPLE, Texas — The challenges of the pandemic struck fast and they hit deep. For StrasGlobal—a convenience-store operator that manages sites under various flags for oil companies, banks, investors and individuals—developing an action plan was a key to getting through. The company formed a task force and developed a comprehensive response plan to deal with […]
If you are running a retail business, there is a scenario that you have either come across or have thought about. It’s a Friday afternoon during the summer — possibly before a big holiday weekend. Your store is humming: people are coming in to buy things to go to the lake; fueling up the car […]
TEMPLE, Texas — At StrasGlobal, the word “innovation” means meeting the changing demands of the customer. “One can innovate, but if you’re not aligned with what the customer is looking for, you’re innovating for nothing. It has to be targeted innovation,” said Roy Strasburger, CEO of StrasGlobal, a contract operations provider that services retail locations […]
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 […]
COMPLIANCE SAFE™, a software service that monitors, tracks and protects your business-critical documents, prominently served as the cover feature in November’s CIO Review magazine – the publication’s Compliance Technology issue. CIO Review is a leading technology magazine that is at the forefront of guiding enterprises through the continuously varying business environment about the solutions and services. The magazine […]
On December 2nd 2020, StrasGlobal participated in a special TMA (Turnaround Management Association) Town Hall on “What to Do with Small Format Retail“. This Town Hall was moderated by Kenneth R. Yager with Newpoint Advisors Corporation, and included Roy Strasburger with StrasGlobal, David Bagley with Carrac Capital Partner and Lee Harington with Ascendant Law as […]
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 […]
In November 2020, StrasGlobal CEO Roy Strasburger delivered a webinar entitled “Smart Path to Compliance” at SIGMA’s virtual Annual Conference. SIGMA is the national trade association representing the most successful, progressive, and innovative fuel marketers and chain retailers in the United States and Canada. StrasGlobal currently operates fuel and convenience sites for owners nationally and […]
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 […]
The following was published as part of the cover story in the September 2020 Issue of Convenience Store News Magazine. At StrasGlobal, the word “innovation” means meeting the changing demands of the customer. “One can innovate, but if you’re not aligned with what the customer is looking for, you’re innovating for nothing. It has to […]
Temple, Texas, September 8, 2020 –StrasGlobal President Roy Strasburger announces national services dedicated to distressed asset protection and asset performance. Helping global oil brands, distressed assets managers, real estate lenders and private investors seeking a complete, turnkey retail operations solution, StrasGlobal “is proud of our reputation as reliable stewards of our clients’ most valuable assets,” […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]