At Your Convenience

CHICAGO — In this episode of "At Your Convenience," Carly Schildhaus, senior manager of public affairs at the National Confectioners Association (NCA), Washington, D.C., discusses trends in snacks and candy with CSP Editor Rachel Gignac.

Schildhaus talks about the intensity factor that is popular in snacks and candy as well as growth in shareable options. Additionally, Schildhaus sheds light on rumors regarding Halloween candy shortages.

She also discusses the benefits of participating in National Candy Month and offers suggestions on how retailers can get started.

CHICAGO — James Pogue, president and CEO of Dallas-based JP Enterprises, talks with CSP Editor Chuck Ulie about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) best practices retailers should keep in mind to broaden their pool of job candidates in this episode of “At Your Convenience.”

Pogue’s consulting firm specializes in DE&I solutions for companies and organizations.

In addition, Pogue offers suggestions on how to improve the odds of hiring staff, where to look to find the necessary talent and the hiring challenges facing businesses today.

“At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.

DENVER — What better source for some of the biggest trends in mobile technology than a retail concept centered around the mobile experience?

In this episode of At Your Convenience, CSP technology and fuels editor Jackson Lewis checks in with Mike Fogarty, CEO and founder of Choice Market, whose Denver-based c-stores have been focused on mobile technology since well before the pandemic.

Tune in for an exclusive chat with Fogarty, covering Choice’s upcoming national expansion, what’s next for mobile technology in stores and advice for operators exploring omnichannel retail.

“At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.

When independent retailer Numan Dharani opened Abbott’s Travel Center in Abbott, Texas, in September, he purposely aimed to offer “items not typically offered at convenience.”

The result is a large store that takes advantage of its location and a collection of products intended to keep customers engaged and interested in coming back.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Content Director Steve Holtz talks to Dharani, one of CSP’s 2022 Indie Influencers, about how he was drawn into convenience retailing, his experience opening his first store and what’s next.

“At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.

Young workers are moving to smaller, more affordable urban centers in the South and West where potential jobs are in abundance, and retailers should take notice.

That’s according to Steve Dwyer, a CSP contributor and author of the 2022 “Where to Build Now” article in the 2022 Top 202 June issue of CSP magazine. Join Dwyer and Editor Jackson Lewis as they discuss which markets present development opportunities for retailers and how times have changed for brands looking to grow.

“At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.

How will the rise of electric vehicles, the war in Ukraine and the rising cost of oil affect mergers and acquisitions in the year ahead? In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Jackson Lewis chats with Senior Editor Hannah Hammond, who spearheaded this year’s Top 202 list and cover story in the June issue of CSP magazine.

Hammond reflects on influential deals in 2021 and how buying and selling stores has changed for chains of different sizes and in various parts of the country.

“At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Senior Editor Hannah Hammond talks to Tom Briant, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), Minneapolis.

Briant discussed the latest in tobacco regulation, from where the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is at in its review of premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) to advice for tobacco category managers at c-stores to what to know about the FDA’s recently published proposed rules that could ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.

Briant shared information on how retailers can share their opinions on the proposed rules. Anyone wishing to comment can visit www.regulations.gov and search for “FDA-2021-N-1349-0001” to comment on the menthol cigarette rule and “FDA-2021-N-1309-0001” for the flavored cigar rule.

“At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.

CHICAGO — How do convenience-store retailers feel about foodservice in 2022 and beyond and where are they investing? CSP Content Director Steve Holtz talks with Chuck Ulie, CSP’s foodservice editor, about data from the annual State of the Foodservice retailer survey, in this episode of “At Your Convenience.”

The podcast also touches on segments where retailers expect growth, areas that might be losing their luster and the labor crisis.

“At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.

Billy Colemire, director of marketing at Boise, Idaho-based Stinker Stores, talks with CSP Editor Chuck Ulie about trends in dispensed beverages, including supply-chain challenges and making contingency plans, in this episode of “At Your Convenience.”

Colemire, a finalist this year in CSP’s Category Manager of the Year Awards, also discusses how Stinker Stores has taken a more proactive approach to change instead of simply reacting when a new competitor comes along. He also discusses limited-time offers (LTOs), strategic signage, the chain's hot beverage program and how he increased Stinker Stores’ buying power.

In addition, Colemire talks about casting a wider net to attract customers (millennials, women, Gen Z) outside their core group through new, better-for-you messaging and by offering a larger assortment of products.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Hannah Hammond talks to Jamie Kennedy, category manager at Bosselman's Pump & Pantry, Inc., Grand Island, Neb., about the state of vapor in convenience stores.