http://community.csdecisions.net/ Convenience Store Decisions Community: Last 35 Posts en Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:17:49 +0000 http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/34#post-56 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:54:45 +0000 sjmb2bSolutionsLLCcom 56@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>There is no simple answer to your question. A statistic you may get is based on many, many instances/data points and may have no or little validity to your situation.</p> <p>The number of people who stop is dependent on your competitors, your access/egress, the attractiveness of your site versus it competitors, what your offered is versus the competition, etc. The list of possible factors that influence a potential customer decisions is long. </p> <p>You indicated that you do not intent to carry fuel. Gasoline availability is one of the primary reasons people select a c-store.</p> <p>If you want to have a more accurate idea of how many cars will likely stop at your site, I suggest you hire one of the companies does site validation such as IMST Corp, out of Houston. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/24#post-55 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:46:41 +0000 sjmb2bSolutionsLLCcom 55@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>The single best source of industry data is the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). That being said, to access it you either have to be a member or be willing to pay a higher fee. Membership is $750 per year. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/35#post-54 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:44:28 +0000 sjmb2bSolutionsLLCcom 54@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>There are three basic ways you can try:</p> <p>1) Get a wholesaler to carry your product. This is not an easy process as they are likely already carrying a similar product and given their economics they will not be anxious to carry another line unless if offer some form of differentiation. It also generally involves paying some placement fees.</p> <p>2) You can hire a broker to rep. your product. The National Association of C-Stores (NACS) has a list of brokers via its membership directory. If you are not a member you can join for $750 per year.</p> <p>3) You can use the direct sell model to larger chains in your area. If the chain accepts the product, they may request that their primary distributor carry it. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/36#post-53 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:44:23 +0000 gypsy 53@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>you know </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/36#post-52 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:41:20 +0000 gypsy 52@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>i am a new food prosser selling gaucamole salsa &#38; jalapeno sour cream to mexican food stores but i am now looking to sell smaller chilled dips in c stores and hoping someone could tell me how to get in groups of c stores insted of going c store to c store </p> <p>THANK YOU<br /> i am really in need of some free real expert advise </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/35#post-51 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:00:43 +0000 felicity 51@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I work for a small novelty nut company and we are looking to expand. How do we get our products into convenience stores on a large scale? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/24#post-50 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:07:30 +0000 Alison 50@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Hello, did you find a good source? I am looking for the same thing. Let me know! Thank you, Alison </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/34#post-49 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:13:06 +0000 Sharon 49@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>What is the average percentage of drive by traffic that stops at a convenience store? For instance is it 3%, 5% 10%? I read somewhere some time ago that it was between 5 and 10 percents of the drive by traffic. I would like to know for my banker's information what is the average count that stops daily to a convenience store. We are opening a store where the average daily traffic is 13,700 vehicles. How much of that will we be able to count on. We will not be selling fuel. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/33#post-48 Tue, 27 May 2008 21:52:21 +0000 bertlathrop9n 48@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>The way I was taught years ago is to use multiples of annual profit.It is very normal to use two and one half to three times annual net profit before income tax.In your case plus the actual value of the land. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/33#post-47 Tue, 27 May 2008 11:03:02 +0000 deekessler 47@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>My husband and I are considering purchasing a convenience store that is located on the edge of a national forest in the Colorado mountains. They currently sale everything from groceries, fishing lic &#38; equipment, small souveniers, candy, pop &#38; beer. We have owned our own business before, providing a service, however, this would be quite different. Business is slower in the spring, busy in the summer and somewhat busy in the fall (hunting season). Currently they are closed during the winter months. The closest gas station is 17 miles away. We would like to make fuel available, including diesel for the RV's, add fountain drinks &#38; flavored coffees, and other possibilities. Can someone guide us on<br /> 1) How to find information on what it would cost to bring<br /> fuel in the area and how we might go about it?<br /> 2) How do you determine the worth of the business?<br /> 3) What is the normal process of buying the business? We would be buying the building, land it sits on &#38; inventory.(There are no comps available to assist with an appraisal for commercial businesses, only residential)<br /> 4) And any other information that would be helpful or suggestions on where to go to find the information.<br /> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP! </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/30#post-46 Sun, 04 May 2008 11:14:17 +0000 mtanderson219 46@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>If you are looking for a site analyst or c-store consultant, check out Complete Business Consulting or its COmplete Consulting? They are Outstanding ... their website is <a href="http://www.completebusinessconsulting.com" rel="nofollow">www.completebusinessconsulting.com</a> ... hope this helps .. good luck ! </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/32#post-45 Fri, 02 May 2008 13:07:13 +0000 YASWAAR 45@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>HI,<br /> MY QUESTION IS ABOUT CIG PIRICING. WHAT IS THE STANDARD WAY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE RETAIL PRICE OF CIGS SHOULD BE?<br /> PLUS, HOW IS IT THAT SOME RETAILERS CAN SELL THE SAME CIG AT A MUCH LOWER PRICE THEN I CAN WHEN THEY ARE JUST A MILE DOWN THE ROAD? CAN YOU TAKE THE REBATES BACK FROM THE CIG COMPANY OFF YOUR INVOICED PRICE TO FIGURE OUT YOU STATE MINIMUMS...CAN ANYONE CLEAR THIS UP.<br /> THANKS </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/31#post-44 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:43:20 +0000 wopker 44@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Located in Tennessee, Lawrenceburg.<br /> New location , busy highway corner lot<br /> Info at<br /> P.O. Box 1034<br /> Lawrenceburg, Tn 38464<br /> attn. jerry </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/30#post-43 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:48:27 +0000 tggreeniv 43@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>What are the basic demographics of an averagely successful<br /> cstore and who is a good site analyst for hire.<br /> Thanks </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/22#post-42 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:14:47 +0000 CaseySmith 42@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Hi Dimitris--</p> <p>Is that Greek? Because if it is, so am I! (Greek name is Katarina Costaverro, however, I am also known as Casey Smith--In reference to your breakfast stuff and counter pizza, have you considered looking into Hot Stuff Foods? We take care of equipment, supplies, teach you how to do financials, have a trainer to help you and your staff get on board, etc...please give me a call at 605-336-6961 at ext. 2206 and we can talk about it. If I can't help you, I am certain I can find someone within our organization to help.</p> <p>Thank you so much Dimitris,</p> <p>Casey (Katarina) Smith </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/23#post-41 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:31:06 +0000 MMoore 41@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Hi, I am looking for a resource for operating cost data.<br /> Specifically; electricity, gas, water, waste disposal.<br /> Can anybody point me in the right direction? </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/29#post-40 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:48:21 +0000 hadasb 40@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I'm looking for the avarge number of inventory turns per industry, I'm mainly intrested in the system market.<br /> In addition I would like to know the calculation method which was used.</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/28#post-39 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:19:20 +0000 keithsgpellc 39@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I would like to know how i can sell items/products to convenience/gas station's in Texas. please let me know if theres any distributor available to contact. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/23#post-38 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:29:11 +0000 RonPSanticola 38@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>The economics of C-Stores are , in my view, most sensitive to the price of fuel. Inside sales are less sensitive in overall volume than say, a specialty retailer would be.<br /> The overall traffic driver, fuel, has gone up in price so much that the average consumer, who knows they are spending more money at your store, thinks they are helping you. </p> <p>Most consumers have very little idea of the real margins in gasoline sales, and would be shocked how little the retailer actually makes. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/27#post-37 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:55:28 +0000 latermite1 37@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I have a convenience store in Andrews N.C. I have been open since 1978. I am looking for a new gas/fuel distributor.</p> <p>I have searched the net to find another distributor. Where is another source.<br /> Thanks </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/26#post-36 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:23:26 +0000 admin 36@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I need to identify chains with 5 to 50 c-stores that sell fuel/gas.</p> <p>Where can I get a list by state for the headquarters location??</p> <p>thanks </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/25#post-35 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:22:48 +0000 admin 35@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Hi There,</p> <p> I am planning to build a brand new gas station/convenient store in Ga. I am looking for local suppliers who can help me</p> <p> buying new equipment such as, fiber glass tanks, MPDs, canopy and all other related stuff. I have located general contractors who</p> <p> can do the bulding construction. I need this info "ASAP. Please respond .</p> <p> Thank You</p> <p>psharam </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/24#post-34 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:22:29 +0000 admin 34@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I need to find someplace that can help me research how many sales are possible for a given product. I am working on a sales forecast for a new store and need some data. Anything will help.</p> <p>Thanks in advance! </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/23#post-33 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:22:10 +0000 admin 33@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Hi AC, you might want to look at the report by David Bishop - it doesn't answer your question directly, but it will provide you with some insight.</p> <p><a href="http://www.csdecisions.com/Content/Site701/Whitepapers/01_01_2000/TheStateofFoods_00000043484.ppt" rel="nofollow">http://www.csdecisions.com/Content/Site701/Whitepapers/01_01_2000/TheStateofFoods_00000043484.ppt</a></p> <p>If you have troubles with the link, you can go up to to the home page on CSDecisions.com and go to the link in the Foodservice Show and (click on the David Bishop Foodservice 2007 and beyond).</p> <p>All my best,</p> <p>--BJG </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/23#post-32 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:22:06 +0000 admin 32@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any info or best guess on how much of c-store sales is related to the current economic conditons. I am pretty sure that a good majority of C-store sales are pretty sensative to the economy but I was wondering if anyone know exactly how much</p> <p>thanks</p> <p>AC </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/22#post-31 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:21:47 +0000 admin 31@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Hi evryone</p> <p>Great site with great advises..I am new to the convenience store "world" but I am very interested in opening one close to were I live in Chicago. I have found an amazing I belive location. The store front is in the ground level of a 370 unit building and is around 2200 sf. The lanlord is asking $4000 plus another $3-$4 per sf for CAM and taxes. As I said is a corner unit in a high populated area in new neighborhood. The closest White hen pantry is about 7 blocks from that location. Now the storefront is situated in one of the busiest streets in the neighboorhood with constant traffic. Right 2 blocks away is a School with around 5000 students or more, and accross from the store is a huge police academy bulding, a fire department, a salvation army headquatrers. and a park near by. Also right to the back of that bulding is another building with around 150 condos as well as other residential buildings and homes. I will like to use the same concept as the white hen/711 but I am still trying to evaluate the start up cost. I am thinking to have 10-12 doors for beverages and another 2-3 freezers. Coffee station with fravor coffes and pop machines etc.I will also carry deli meat to prepare paninis, sandwiches, as well pre made breakfast stuff and counter pizza. I am thinking that I will need around $150.000k to start. Is that a good estimate? what kind of lease should I sign? should I lease the equipment? The landlord said he will give me 4 months free rent to fix the place up. Do you have any good suggestions to advise.. I just dont want to loose this spot because I am 99% that the location is awsome for a C-store. Thank you in advance.</p> <p>Dimitris </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/21#post-30 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:21:22 +0000 admin 30@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>i am considering renting a vacant store for soft serve and limited convenience store. it is in an area of about 2000 families on a road that is moderately busy. it only has a total of about 7 parking places. rent would be 1250 a month. it is across the street from a private lake that the community can join to bring kids to swim or the residents can have a motor boat on. i would have to quit my job yet bring in the same salary to survive of about 3000./month. do you think i could cover this? </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/20#post-29 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:20:36 +0000 admin 29@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I purchased a liquor store 3 years ago. It has not been updated since the 70’s. I am curious if a remodeling a store will translate into more sales? The store is as clean as possible and I work 7 days a week open to close with help and the customers I believe appreciate this. None of the other stores within 10 miles are any better looking. What would be the best updates to get the most bang for my buck?? </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/19#post-28 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:20:11 +0000 admin 28@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I have seen a lot of discussion on gift cards. Do any of them cost less than the face value? Are they just being offered in C-stores to drive traffic? </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/18#post-27 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:19:50 +0000 admin 27@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Mike are you looking at purchasing an existing business ? If so what do there numbers look like ?</p> <p>I have run a profitable c-store with no gas with 11,500 vpd. more info on location is really needed.</p> <p>population 1 - 2 mile radius, business accessibility,local zoning regulations on signage, any competition.</p> <p>Scott </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/18#post-26 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:19:46 +0000 admin 26@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I am looking at a convenience store (no gas) on a fairly busy road but in a rural location. The traffic count states over 17,000 vehicles/day. Will this be enough to sustain a business as there will be no pedestrian business?</p> <p>Thanks -Mike </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/17#post-25 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:19:15 +0000 admin 25@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Should I be considering gift cards as a long-term profit center? What kind of future does this SKU have in c-stores?</p> <p>---</p> <p>Gift cards are a segment with still a lot of upside potential for retailers. First, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), gift cards are now the third most requested gift behind media products and apparel. Second, the gift card industry is growing at an explosive rate driven by broader retail availability and wider consumer usage. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the NRF revealed that holiday sales are up approximately 34% versus last year and that nearly eight out of ten consumers planned to purchase at least one gift card this holiday. There is also less liability with gift cards as retail shrink is mitigated by the fact that the cards' value is not present until they are scanned by a cashier. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/16#post-24 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:18:23 +0000 admin 24@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I am getting killed by taxes and Native American smoke shops. Should I expect anymore manufacturer price hikes on cigarettes or smokeless tobacco?</p> <p>---</p> <p>Based on recently announced program changes in cigarettes and the competitive dynamics at play now in moist smokeless, it's reasonable for retailers to expect additional price increases in both categories. In cigarettes, we'd expect that RAI would be motivated to follow PMUSA's decision to reduce promotional funding. In moist smokeless, we'd expect Conwood to take another list price increase on Grizzly, which would likely trigger USSTC to match the increase on its Husky brand. </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/15#post-23 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:17:34 +0000 admin 23@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>Can anyone point me to some good web sites or pages where I can learn about ethanol? </p> http://community.csdecisions.net/topic/14#post-22 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:17:07 +0000 admin 22@http://community.csdecisions.net/ <p>I have worked in th c-store industry for almost 20 years (15 as a manager), and no matter how carefull you are, how many backround checks you do, which by the way only tell you that the person has not been caught doing anything wrong, you need to set policies in place and follow through, termination is not enough they will just go to the next place and keep doing it, we explain up front during the interview that the cameras are not for decoration and that we do watch the videos and if you still want to take the chance of doing something wrong you will be arrested and charges will be brought against you no matter how small you may think the theft is. </p>