While filling up my car’s tank the other day, I noticed something new on the pump topper—a cellphone-shaped promo card touting the fuel retailer’s mobile app combining rewards and payments. I’ve been saving cents off every gallon for years by first swiping my grocery store loyalty card at the pump, then paying with my bank card. So, the prospect of eliminating the extra step while still earning fuel rewards is appealing. I’m waiting for the day when I can order up a fuel-pumping robot that will tend to my car while it’s parked in the garage at home or the office. (I still prefer to do the driving myself, thank you very much, and I’m not ready yet to trade my ICE for an EV.)
Our cover story this month explores the world of digital couponing, which is helping retailers better understand consumer shopping habits and use the insights to develop personalized marketing campaigns that translate into more store visits and bigger basket rings. Starbucks and Amazon do this well—they know all about my chai tea latte habit and when I’m out of bully sticks for my dog—now convenience retailers are wading deeper into this technology.
When my kids were babies in car seats, I would have gone out of my way for a pump-side delivery service.
About 40 million Americans stop at a c-store each day to buy gasoline, and retailers have long tried new ways to entice them inside the store to grab a beverage, sandwich or other treat. But what if the c-store came to them? This month, we look at new c-store services that invite fuel customers to place forecourt orders for in-store items and have them delivered pump-side. QuikTrip is one of the retailers evaluating curbside service in select markets. When my kids were babies in car seats, I would have gone out of my way for a pump-side delivery service! Who wants to wake up a napping infant to run inside for essentials?
Loyalty programs were among the industry topics explored at the NACS Convenience Summit Europe in London earlier this summer. Find abbreviated coverage of the event in this month’s magazine, and visit www.NACSMagazine.com for an in-depth look at the content-rich sessions. Sustainability, including food waste, was one of the issues discussed. Now, “In Waste Not, Want Not” this month, we offer guidance on reducing food waste in your foodservice operations.
Can you believe it’s August? Blink and it will be October and time for the NACS Show in Atlanta. Have you registered? Reserved your hotel? Stop what you’re doing and go to www.NACSShow.com to check these must dos off your list today!
