His text included the following options:

• Bourbon
  1. Blantons
  2. Any Color Weller
  3. Colonial Taylor
  4. Henry McKenna
  5. Michters
  6. Four Roses Single Barrel
• Rye
  1. Whistle Pig

I look forward to expanding the list for those that stay on the lookout for special gifts for those that really enjoy trying new things. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, anniversary, birthday and any other special occasion.

I went with the WhistlePig recommendation enjoyed a holiday toast with the family.

Enjoy!

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Three Key Ways Scan Data Increases C-Store Sales and Profits

1. Reduced prices for multi-pack, multi-can, multi-tin, sales reimbursed by the manufacturer – lower prices for your customer with the same margin
2. Additional loyalty discount for customers using your loyalty program that purchase multiple packs, cans, tins or pods during the special period.
3. Sales from other goods that comes with customers that buy tobacco. Stores see more traffic as a result of having the best prices for key tobacco brands.

Why Moving Forward with  RJR Scan Data Promotions is a Key 

While Marlboro dominates the national cigarette sales, RJR provides the next two top selling brands – Newport and Camel. Depending on markets many stores have heavier Marlboro or Newport sales. In some limited cases Newport movement is not significant. Even in these markets, however, Grizzly tends to be a large part of the snuff market share. Hence, having the RJR promotions tends to represent 25% to 50% of a stores overall tobacco sales.

Tobacco purchasers buy more than just tobacco

It is not just about the profits from tobacco – retailers are also looking to keep traffic and overall sales from these important buyers. Studies vary, but convenience experts agree that tobacco buyers are a key consumer in most stores. When the promotions are reimbursed rather than self-funded, this alone is typically enough to justify the program. Offering promotions which will be paid back, to a key group of buyers (the RJR loyal) – the cost of the sale comes down to the time value of the money. Except for the most cash-strapped operations, tobacco rebates are essential marketing.

The secret to RJR Scan Data Loyalty and Multi-pack Success for C-Stores

Knowledge is the key. RJR rep are the first place to visit. She or he will register you and ensure your scan contract is in place. After that, you must fulfill the process. Many retailers fail to complete the process and bailout of the promotions before they even get started.

Retailers who are most successful with RJR scan data have a good third party provider or an in-house manager (or even both) with a deep understanding of the RJR and MSA process. While registration, certification and final validation takes weeks, good communication and a sound understanding of next steps means success. A good provider will have a history of consistently getting clients validated and certified.

These operators are able to take advantage of the greatest number of incentives through RJR, while maintaining their validation status, and getting paid. Meanwhile, marketing and operations will focus on other creative offers and upsells at the register.

The program generates value and the best third-party-processors ensure the process is understood. They make the data valid. The RJR scan data rebates take a few more weeks to accomplish. RJR uses a robust validation process. Therefore, the process ensures great results for your stores. It means you know you will get your promotions. The resulting benefit – it makes it great C-Store operators earn new sales. Even better, RAI (RJR) pays for it!

Make sure to ask your processor for references. Those that have validated RJR will have a lot of happy customers that are willing to verify the RJR results.

Related Blog – The Key to Increasing Cigarette Sales is Multi-Pack Discounts

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“What would you rather me do? Take 5 minutes to know my store or just start to work?” This was the answer given by a successful c-store manager to the question – “Do you have time to plan your day?”

Nothing is free and everything takes time.

Using time well is not easy, but if you had a set of key information, would it make sense to take 5 minutes to organize the day? If your managers have a good daily plan, what would happen?

Stores that grow 5 percent produce more than $20,000 in extra profits each year. Some argue that a good store manager can control many things in a c-store. If they manage the important work – staffing, stocking, cleaning and customer service, then good results will follow. Those that believe managers can control store activity, know they must have a plan to succeed. Using time well is the key to growing profits. Good managers control the work in their stores. They resolve problems, fix inventory issues, open the store and schedule labor. It takes knowledge of the situation and the ability to manage the resources. Providing the key information makes managing more effective.

So what information should be provided to make it easy for a c-store manager to have a great daily plan?

Many think helping them to choose daily work items wisely, is a key to success. Providing key facts allows a manager to assess the store performance and then assign the work to get the needed results. Making it easy to see the key indicators for store results allows the store manager to focus attention and make things happen. Here is a list of things used to make decisions that help improve store performance.

Five Minute C-Store Daily Plan – Expectations-Plan Considerations

1. Same day sales – same day of week, last week or last year
2. Monthly sales – year over year comparisons
3. Categories that are going up or down compare to the same period last year
4. Top selling items
5. Items that are not selling at all
6. Items that sold last week but are not selling this week
7. Customer feedback on bathrooms, service and selection
8. Store inspections
9. Store maintenance items

Five Minute C-Store Expectations Plan – Make It Easy!

If there is a place that the most important information can be found so that the manager is not spending time gathering the information, then it becomes a quick check to decide what things need attention. Creating a list of actions and getting them done becomes a short task each day and leads to success. Knowing where to find the answers is a big part of the job. Make it easy!

For more information on C-Store planning

You may also want to read about our blog on C-Store Operations – Keep It Simple – The Hard Work?

The proven way to increase sales, simplify work and make time to grow – download now.

Get the book on store accountability.

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Up-selling is the Key to Increase Cigarette Sales with Multi-Pack Discounts

Lowering the price increases sales. The multi-pack discounts are funded by the manufacturer. These discounts are above and beyond the existing buy-down and other contractual programs you have now. You must make a separate scan date agreement with each of your cigarette representatives for Altria and RJR

You ensure your margins by processing the information correctly. Many scan data vendors provide the scan data processing at a low price. If they do not process the multi-pack and loyalty payments, however, the funding for the discounts is paid by the retailer. This means, only when your scan data multi-pack discounts are submitted correctly are you sure to get all your money. Hence, it is critical to ensure your processor is able to collect all the data. Furthermore, they must provide it to the processors so that the retailer receives the discount payments. Finally, it is a lot of money, make sure you have a partner that will work with you and your manufacturer to get all that you are promised.

Cigarette Scan Data Processing Keys to Success

1. Scan data includes all the multi-pack information for both the Altria and RJR program
2. The vendor applies your specific multi-pack discounts based on your POS processing
3. Your manufacturer has included you in the multi-pack program
4. Your processor knows how to resolve certification delays or data problems.

Of course, you can sell more if you discount the price. Naturally, you can up-sell more easily when the customer gets a great value. With great pricing, they will visit more. The program works, make sure you have a partner that will help fully.

A cigarette rep that knows the program helps you get started. Make sure your processor understands the details of all the different rebate issues. They should have a  track record of getting full payments for their clients (i.e., carton, multi-pack and loyalty). Of course, it helps to be able to contact a knowledgeable person who will help you get it done. Sometimes the program and technology can be a bit frustrating in the beginning. Find the right partner and make it happen. These are the reasons that many argue that the key to increasing cigarette sales is multi-pack discounts. They drive more sales and save your customers a lot of money.

Cigarette Scan Data Has Three Parts

1. Basic file submission for up to 10 cents a carton
2. Multi-pack certification
3. Loyalty processing certification.

C-Store Scan Data – Related links

If you enjoyed this blog, you can find more information in these links:

C-Store Cigarette Scan Data Software Increases Tobacco Sales

Increase Cigarette Sales 10% and more!
C-Store Cigarette Scan Data Software – Product Information.

The post The Key to Increasing Cigarette Sales is Multi-Pack Discounts appeared first on BandyWorks.

• Firstly, Founding addresses financial issues.
• Secondly Organizing addresses management,
• Thirdly, Growing addresses sales and
• Finally, Thriving.

As progress occurs, higher sales and better teamwork result. Of course, the path is not always straight-forward. As normal, change is hear. Obviously, it takes time to learn and practice new ways to work. When a new level is attained, however, better results occur and therefore the work pays off. In fact, as companies step up the levels of growth, companies achieve both higher profits. In addition, work becomes easier.  As such, staff produce the desired results consistently. Even better, many find higher performing companies have less turn-over.

Reaching one of the higher levels of c-store performance growth does not happen accidentally. It takes planning action and follow-through. The path is well-documented. As a result, any company desires growth can use the model to improve.

C-Store Performance Level –Indication of Developing C-Store Maturity

When planning for store performance optimization and growth it’s important to start by assessing your current level of store performance maturity. The table below shows examples of how focus changes as maturity increases. Use this table as a model for identifying your own opportunity areas. In so doing, you to lay out a plan for moving forward.  Finally, note that with less maturity there is more potential to make substantial gains. So do not despair if you find lower maturity. Remember, you have a lot to gain!  Above all, have patience. Try to remember the gains will likely require more time and investment to achieve.

Determine Your C-Store Performance Maturity Level

Download the whitepaper to determine your level of c-store performance maturity. Find ways to improve with the white paper-  “Optimize C-Store Performance – The proven way to increase sales, simplify work and make time to grow.”

C-Store Performance- Related blogs and links

You may also like a related blog regarding:

C-Store Performance – The Proven System for Growth

Top 20 Chains Own 30{935b322e3519fc731b8c8389742fbd46918a79373f6355bb2e07141df02b187b} of All Stores

The post Four Levels of C-Store Performance Growth appeared first on BandyWorks.

Small Increases Yield Big ROI

There are lots of ways to improve by just 1%. Some things are easy for you to do yourself. Others happen with your partners.  Manufacturers will provide the signs and promotions to pay for incentives that provide a lot more than 1% improvement. Making 1% brings value to your bottom line. Making a series of improvements builds a very profitable store. Making improvements pays. High-growth chains find ways to keep improving so they make growth happen consistently.

Check the math when growth improvements get bigger across multiple stores. It pays to find ways to improve.

Proven Method of Growth

Read more about the proven way to increase sales, simplify work and make time to grow. Download the white paper and get started –   “Optimize C-Store Performance – The proven way to increase sales, simplify work and make time to grow.”

C-Store Performance- Related blogs and links

You may also like a related blog regarding:

C-Store Performance – The Proven Way for Growth

Increase Tobacco Sales

The post The ROI of C-Store Growth – How much profit from 1%? appeared first on BandyWorks.

C-Store Growth – Use a Proven System

It takes significant resources to address all five areas of performance. The simple fact is that more stores to share the burden means more resources are available. But, the large operators were not always their current size. The successful companies were first able to optimize their store performance, grow their business, generate extra cash and free up management time to drive store growth. That is, they use a proven system for c-store growth. Operating existing stores well is the critical first step to make resources available. Without on-going and consistent same-store growth, management time is pulled back into the existing store oversight rather than new store creation or acquisition. With comprehensive management in place, fewer problems occur. Available resources catalyze new store growth.

Download – Optimize C-Store Performance

Download the whitepaper to learn more –  “Optimize C-Store Performance – The proven way to increase sales, simplify work and make time to grow.”

C-Store Performance- Related blogs

Increasing Tobacco Sales

What C-Store Managers Need to Increase Sales.

The post The Proven System for C-Store Growth appeared first on BandyWorks.

Attention Brings Focus

Engaging staff to think and share experiences while also opening the possibilities to new ideas brings attention to obstacles and opportunities. Focusing on making things better while reviewing existing work habits can uncover good ideas that are not hard to implement. For example, store managers may share that up selling is not consistently done. routine operations may have become sloppy and need improvement. Other times, you may learn that the competition has a lot better offers that have not been addressed. Many times, a new look at promotions and signage brings new ideas to the buyers that may not be aware of specific-store conditions.

Getting Buy-in for C-Store Performance

During the process of gathering information from staff, they become an owner of the new ideas. It also ensures the store-specific conditions are considered and as well as providing staff with a corporate perspective that may not be understood. Everyone gets a chance t0 understand the full range of issues. The most common obstacle is just the business of doing one’s day job that prevents special projects.  Having a consultant provides someone with the specific job to do the assessment, brings perspective and focus. Such a resource can often spark the energy and activity to make a few changes that have been left to be done ‘when we find time’. Of course, considering necessary work flow and keeping the changes to a few critical items is important to avoid overwhelming the staff and missing existing work tasks that remain necessary.

Choosing a C-Store Consultant

When choosing a consultant to help your c-store operations to increase sales, experience and fit are key. Make sure you have sufficient buy-in from leadership and the objective is made clear. Setting a timeline and promoting open dialog will increase the initial participation level from your staff. Many times implementing an on-going service helps to ensure that success changes become part of the daily work. Therefore, always consider the tools that the consultants use. The goal is to get better and stay better.

Finding a consultant that understands your culture and works to balance existing needs with the right amount of change will provide the best results. Before choosing someone to help, ask for an outline of the consultant’s planned activities. Spend enough time so both you and the consultant have a clear understanding of the scope of work. While each situation is different, there are a few basic steps that any consultant will take to ensure a successful store-sales engagement.

8 Consulting Steps to Increase C-Store Sales

1. Interview District Managers to Assess Strengths
2. Visit Stores to Assess Cashier Interactions and Store Presentation
3. Compare Competitive Promotions and Product Mix
4. Determine Budget and Flexibility of Service Options
5. Brainstorm Options and Pick the Best
6. Implement Options and Train Staff
7. Measure and Understand Results
8. Celebrate Success, Learn from Failures and Adjust as Needed

Change versus Stability

Great operations know their culture and strengths. They seek outside perspective to challenge weaknesses and improve strengths. No one wants to delegate leadership, but having different perspectives add value and grow teamwork. Ponder whether you believe that consultants  increase c-store sales. If so, would listening to convenience industry best practices justify part of the expense. Would it help your company’s culture and corporate capabilities?

C-Store Performance- Related blogs and links

You may also like a related blog regarding What C-Store Managers Need to Increase Sales.

C-Store Customer Survey Software – Product Information.

The post Consultants Use 8 Steps to Increase C-Store Sales appeared first on BandyWorks.

The improving economy is often cited for making a difficult job of C-Store staff retention even harder. While all positions are important the one that I hear about the most is the challenge of finding and keeping good store managers.

Sometimes the situation is so bad, I hear operators complain that they do not address bad performance because it is just too hard to find staff. They reason that having a bad employee is better than not having enough staff to man the stores. In the most extreme cases, I have heard of closing stores due to the lack of available staff.

Some argue that keeping staff is a direct reflection of the store manager. The concept – “People leave managers, not companies.” (Jack Altman – ‘Don’t Be Surprised When Your Employees Quit’) places high value for the store manager in regards to C-Store staff retention .

So then the need to keep the manager happy and productive becomes very important. There is not much of an issue when things are going well. The challenge presents itself when a store is not performing well. If you push the manager you may make things worse and lose staff compounding a bad situation. Such concerns, can lead to a paralysis of action worrying about losing staff and making things ever worse.

Doing nothing about retention is a choice

The lack of a decision is still a decision and not taking action when things are bad has not often been sited as the best approach. Everyone has their limits of what is acceptable and how to deal with problems. We have gathered a lot of information and come up with our own system to address staff retention. I’d love to hear your approach and share how we approach it. I’d like to get your feedback on how you address C-Store staff retention. Give me your opinion (and your address) and I will send you a free copy of our new book – ‘If You Have Time To Lean, You Have Time To Clean’. To send me your opinion and your address for mailing, click here.

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