CSP's Mystery Shop audit has tracked how convenience stores improve standards year-over-year in terms of pump island, exterior, interior, restrooms, dairy cooler, fountain drinks, coffee, sandwich cooler and employees.

There has been an increase in convenience-store shoppers that view a c-store as a competitor to quick service restaurants, said Cameron Watt, president and CEO of Intouch Insight, an Ottawa, Ontario-based data analysis firm that conducts the audits in partnership with CSP.

At CSP's Outlook Leadership conference, Watt talks to CSP Vice President of Content Strategy, Abbey Lewis, about what the data revealed as well as the top three finalists out of the ten participants: Nouria (No, 1), Stinker Stores (No.2) and Tri Star Energy (No. 3).

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editors Rachel Gignac, Hannah Hammond and Chuck Ulie recorded from CSP’s Outlook Leadership conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Each shared highlights of the event, which featured general sessions and innovation forums with leading convenience-store retailers and suppliers on a variety of topics key to the industry.

Listen to find out what they learned.  

“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 Editor Diane Adam talks with Alison Ritchie, the new president of the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS), based in Albany, New York.

Ritchie discusses the challenges convenience-store operators must navigate when it comes to the tobacco category. She also gives an overview of how illegally smuggled tobacco products in New York means lost revenue for convenience stores.

“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 Editor Chuck Ulie talks with Steve Morris, president of St. Paul, Minnesota-based Retail Management Inc.

Morris discusses leveraging technology to handle today’s labor woes, the importance of maintaining menu consistency while sprinkling in limited-time offers and how getting customers inside a c-store starts with the moment they’re looking at the building.

Retail Management Inc. handles the operations, marketing and accounting functions for any small-format retailer including convenience stores and truckstops, vape shops and liquor stores. Operations include staffing and supervising, product replenishment and ordering and vendor negotiation.

“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 VP of Content Strategy, Abbey Lewis, talks to Restaurant Business’ Editor in Chief, Jonathan Maze, about the future of online delivery in both restaurants and convenience—and how consumers really feel about those wait times and fees.

Tune in to hear about what we’ve learned about the major delivery players, and some exciting news on a new delivery study that you can only find at Restaurant Business and CSP.

“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.

Vice president of retail operations support has been at the convenience-store chain for 25 years

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Senior Editor Hannah Hammond interviews Rebecca Mott, vice president of operational accounting at EG America.

Mott (pictured), who attended the Convenience-Store Women’s (CSW) event in November, shared tips on how companies can help match a mentor with the right mentee, and how she’s a better mentor today because of her past experiences.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Senior Editor Hannah Hammond interviews Rachell Bernhardt, human resources director at Quantum Services. The Columbus, Ohio-based company provides inventory audits for convenience-store brands across the country.

Bernhardt shares what it’s like to work on succession planning in a family-run business. She also gives an update on what her C-Store Women’s (CSW) power team has learned about handling competition and the negative stereotypes that may come with it. 

“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 Editor Chuck Ulie talks to Dan Razowsky, the marketing operations manager at Northbrook, Illinois-based Rmarts convenience stores.

Razowsky (pictured) touches on looking to the future and building a foodservice program with love and attention, what effect electric vehicles might have on c-stores, and how handing out paper coupons at the pumps brings in business.

Rmarts is a family-owned and -operated Chicago-area c-store chain that started in 1951 in downtown Chicago. With 11 locations today, Rmarts has evolved to emphasize convenience and community, where open-faced coolers and bean-to-cup coffee machines have replaced the auto repair bays of yesterday.

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Diane Adam talks with Mike Bloom, executive vice president and chief merchandising and marketing officer at GPM Investments, about the retailer’s latest enhanced food program rollout.

Bloom talks about the company’s pizza offering and the value it brings to its loyalty members. He also discusses the rollout of Nathan’s Famous hot dogs added to GPM Investments foodservice lineup.

GPM’s family of brands includes Fas Mart, Shore Stop, Scotchman, BreadBox, Young’s, Li’l Cricket, Next Door Store, Village Pantry and Apple Market, among others c-store chains.