At Your Convenience

In a recent episode of the “At Your Convenience” podcast, CSP’s Abbey Lewis hosted Heather Potter, Reynolds American trade marketing account executive for Casey’s, and Joi Notice-Brooks, senior manager of trade marketing at Reynolds American, for a discussion on trade marketing and its impact on convenience retail. The conversation explores how Reynolds’ trade marketing team bridges the gap between commercial strategies and retail execution, ensuring seamless product launches and effective category management.

The conversation highlights the evolution of the nicotine category, including the rapid growth of modern oral products and the importance of innovation in meeting adult consumer preferences. They also share key success factors from Reynolds’ partnership with Casey’s, emphasizing collaboration, transparency and data-driven strategies to drive sustainable growth and enhance in-store experiences.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Rachel Gignac talks to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy and vice president of media relations, communications and consumer programs for PDI.

De Haan unpacks recent developments in the U.S.–Venezuela relationship and what a potential return of Venezuelan crude could mean for the U.S. oil market. He breaks down the implications for fuel supply, refinery operations and gas prices, while offering practical insight into what convenience-store retailers should be watching in the months ahead.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Chuck Ulie talks with Michelle Weckstein, director of food and beverage brands for Southwest Georgia Oil Co., Bainbridge, Georgia, which operates the SunStop convenience-store chain. They discuss how GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss are affecting the demand for items with protein at convenience stores.

On this podcast, Weckstein also talks about how SunStop recognized the GLP-1 diet phenomenon early on—and how her company feels that this is a trend that’s going to be around for a while.

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In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Rachel Gignac talks to Aisha Khan, head of growth at Shahani Inc., Branford, Connecticut. The two spoke at CSP’s Forecourt Forum, which took place Dec. 1-3 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Khan is part of the second generation behind Shahani, a family-owned forecourt company. Its core business, Shahani, focuses on branded fuel and forecourt operations, while the fuel supply division manages dealer partnerships and distribution. Shahani Solutions handles site maintenance and environmental compliance, and the company also operates a fuel hauling and transportation service. A proprietary artificial intelligence (AI)-powered maintenance and operations app streamlines site management, and the Shahani Foundation supports local communities through education and trade initiatives.

Khan shares her insights on the forecourt business, the importance of foodservice in convenience stores and the dynamics of working in a family business. She emphasizes the challenges of building and maintaining gas stations, the significance of employee relations and the necessity of community engagement.

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In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” InConvenience Inc. Facilities and Fuel Director Nicole Majkowicz speaks with CSP Editor Rachel Gignac at CSP's inaugural Forecourt Forum, which took place in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dec. 1-3. 

Majkowicz talks about Chicago-based InConvenience Inc., a women-led convenience-store company focused on transforming small-town retail. They discuss the company's origins, mission and unique branding, including the humorous store name the G-Spot. Nicole shares insights on recent upgrades to fueling stations, the importance of community engagement and the challenges of navigating grants for funding. The conversation highlights the impact of these upgrades on customer loyalty and sales, as well as the company's strategic growth plans in rural markets.

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In a recent episode of CSP's “At Your Convenience” podcast, host Abbey Lewis, vice president of content strategy at CSP, and Jake Kiser, retail general manager at PAR Retail, discuss the growing importance of unified tech stacks in retail. The conversation delved into the risks of fragmented systems, the strategic advantages of consolidation and actionable steps for how retailers can embrace this transformation.

Kiser highlighted three key drivers behind the push for unified tech stacks: the need to enhance customer engagement, the importance of preparing for an AI-first future and the demand for efficiency and ROI from IT investments. He explained that fragmented systems create friction, slowing down operations and impacting profitability. By consolidating systems, retailers can reduce inefficiencies, simplify vendor relationships and better align technology with business goals.

For retailers looking to start this journey, Kiser advised beginning with a clear understanding of organizational goals, offering a roadmap for businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven landscape. Listen to the entire conversation above for more information.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Diane Adam talks with Barbara Stoyko, senior vice president of Shell Mobility and Convenience Americas, about the biggest threats and challenges to the c-store industry as a whole heading into 2026. On this podcast, Stoyko also discusses the role of fuel, particularly as alternative energy options and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure continue to expand.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Rachel Gignac speaks with Scott Hartman, president and CEO of Rutter's, and CSP's 2025 Retail Leader of the Year. 

• Rutter’s is No. 79 on CSP’s 2025 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.

The two spoke at CSP's Outlook Leadership conference in August about his RLOY recognition and the philosophies that have guided his 54-year career in the convenience-store and fuel industry. 

Hartman started in the business at just 12 years old, learning every role from stocking shelves to managing stores to leading one of the most innovative convenience store companies in the country. He shares stories of mentorship, family and the lessons he’s learned about leadership, teamwork and staying ahead in an industry defined by constant change.

Hartman recalls vacation adventures with his family, the lessons golf has taught him about patience and perseverance and how he balances his commitment to employees with time for personal well-being. As a leader, Hartman views his role as more of a coach than a boss. He said he's invested in nurturing both people and ideas and is unafraid to break new ground in technology, foodservice and even in-store gaming experiences. 

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Chuck Ulie talks with Matt Pavich, senior director of strategy and innovation at Alpharetta, Georgia-based Revionics, about how artificial intelligence (AI) assists convenience-store retailers in pricing new products.

On this podcast, Pavich discusses why pricing a brand-new item—with zero historical sales data—is a persistent struggle for the average c-store retailer.

The interview also goes beyond new items and into how AI helps c-store retailers navigate the complexity of tariffs, inflation and high consumer price sensitivity across their entire assortment.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Executive Editor Hannah Hammond talks to Scott Smith, vice president of IT at convenience-store chain Parker’s Kitchen.  

• Parker's Kitchen is No. 73 on CSP’s 2025 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.

Speaking from CSP’s C-StoreTEC forum, which was held Oct. 27-29 in Plano, Texas, Smith shared how the Savannah, Georgia-based chain of more than 100 stores uses artificial intelligence (AI) now, and what opportunities there may be for it in the future.