CSP Magazine | December 2012

Good Business and Good Friends

article preview

When you’re selling fun stuff to good customers, you will make a lot of friends over time. As a beer salesman working in a corporate culture that professed, “Making friends is our business,” having friends in the c-store industry felt natural. When it was time to retire from the comforts of corporate identity, I wondered if those friendships would be put to the test.

Not in this industry. 

Also in this Issue

A look at the man who built Kwik Trip into a $4.2 billion business with heart, soul and a purpose.

Behold the winners of this year's CSP Retailer Choice Best New Product Contest.

Industry colleagues, family and guests honor Kwik Trip leader Zietlow.

More retailers report cautious optimism in Outlook Survey, but success proves highly local.

An exploration of the fuzzy, far-off future of foodservice at retail.

CSP forum examines how age, race and weather nudge consumer behavior.

Marlboro NXT explodes onto market as challenger to Camel Crush.

Induction cooktops deliver precision, speed, safety, showmanship—at a price.

What’s really going on with the politically charged Lifeline service.

Line extensions in snacks, candy offer incremental gains if handled right.

With 166% growth and a bushel of new products, beer subcategory is apple of c-stores’ eye.

Pump ‘N Pak uses ice cream, local brands, lunch counter to caters to customers.

ADVERTISEMENT