What You Missed in the Biz Brief This Week: October 16, 2013

In today’s information-overloaded business world, we often find ourselves deluged with literally hundreds of news items from dozens of sources. While it is likely impossible to read every article and remain productive, by not doing so we risk missing the one article that could change a key business practice or thought process. And that is where the NATSO Foundation’s newest publication, Biz Brief, provides assistance! The NATSO Foundation's Biz Brief is a daily collection of the most relevant business intelligence for truckstop and travel plaza operators. While we think the Biz Brief is a must-read every day, if you only read ten news articles this week, these ten most-clicked Biz Brief articles are the ten to read.
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In today’s information-overloaded business world, we often find ourselves deluged with literally hundreds of news items from dozens of sources. While it is likely impossible to read every article and remain productive, by not doing so we risk missing the one article that could change a key business practice or thought process. And that is where the NATSO Foundation’s newest publication, Biz Brief, provides assistance! The NATSO Foundation's Biz Brief is a daily collection of the most relevant business intelligence for truckstop and travel plaza operators. 

While we think the Biz Brief is a must-read every day, if you only read ten news articles this week, these ten most-clicked Biz Brief articles are the ten to read. 

  1. Pilot Introduces Mobile Checkout Technology 
    Pilot Flying J is developing several new technology projects to improve the payment experience of their in-store customers. A mobile checkout system is being tested that will allow customers to check out from anywhere in the store if the transaction is card-based. The company also is experimenting with an assisted checkout program that has been well received by customers at test locations. Pilot plans to roll out the new technology in 100 locations over the next year. Click here to read more >

  2. "Nasty Winter" Predicted by Weather Company 
    Weather Trends International, a forecasting firm that uses statistical math-based models to predict weather, is warning of a "nasty winter" for the U.S. and particularly the eastern region. Temperatures are forecast to be three to six degrees lower than normal with storms bringing 35 percent more snow than last winter. The company predicts that this winter season will mirror the winter of 1962 -1963, which produced the sixth coldest January in 118-years. Fuel additives and snow accessories may see increased sales movement if the predictions prove accurate. Click here to read more >

  3. Gilbarco Debuts "Play At The Pump"
    Gilbarco Veeder-Root is involved in a pilot dispenser program in Minnesota and Missouri that offers lottery tickets at the pump. While the concept is geared to drive sales of lottery tickets on the islands, test locations have seen an overall increase in lottery sales as a result of expanded marketing focused on high jackpot prizes. Lottery sales in the U.S. jumped by 10 percent from 2011 to 2012. Click here to read more >
  4. Misunderstood Twitter Message Causes Oil Price Jump 
    On Oct. 10 a twitter message caused oil prices to jump more than $1 per barrel. The message communicated by the Israeli military stated that the country had just bombed Syrian airports. The tweet was reliving military actions that occurred 40 years ago during the Yom Kippur war. Oil traders quickly realized that the message was not dealing with current information, however, the market did not give back the price gains. Click here to read more >

  5. Truckload Driver Turnover at 99 Percent 
    Driver turnover at truckload carriers rose to 99 percent in the 2013 second quarter. Turnover rates have increased to 97 percent in this year's first quarter from 90 percent in the 2012 fourth quarter. Officials think that this trend is caused by "churning" as drivers seek greener pastures with other trucking companies as a result of the tight trucking labor market. Turnover rates at less-than-truckload carriers, by comparison, dropped from 15 percent to 6 percent. Click here to read more >

  6. Knight Transportation Turns Bearish 
    Knight Transportation has joined two other large carriers in revising its third-quarter earnings expectations downward. The carrier lowered its projection by more than 15 percent citing a weak rate environment. Knight joins Swift Transportation and Werner Enterprise who previously announced similar negative views on the third-quarter. The weak rate environment would seem to suggest that the driver shortage and hours-of-service rule changes have had less of an impact than expected. Click here to read more >

  7. Gas Drops Below $3 in 18 States 
    Gasoline prices have dropped below $3 a gallon in 18 states and could swell to as many as 33 states by late November if current supply and demand fundamentals remain unchanged, according to a new GasBuddy report. Click here to read more >

  8. N.C. Judge Denies Truckstop Approval 
    A North Carolina Superior Court judge has ruled that the Statesville Board of Adjustment erred when it approved the construction of a Love's Travel Stop at an I-40 exit. The judge suggested that the board did not follow appropriate procedures in its April decision to allow the travel stop to locate on Exit 154. The city now will review the judge's ruling and consider its next steps. Click here to read more >
  9. "We'll be here for the long haul. Technically, we can't close, because we have to take care of these gentlemen. We feel bad, because these guys are stranded."
    Wyoming Flying J cashier, Denic Czermack commenting on early winter storm. 
    Click here to read more >

  10. New Point-Of-Sale Technology Available 
    NATSO member First Data is introducing a new point-of-sale technology that is designed for small and medium-sized retail business. The new "Clover Station" is a countertop register that includes a 11.6 inch touch screen, secure Android-based OS, QR and barcode scanner, Bluetooth, 802.11, Ethernet and a high-speed printer. First Data is marrying credit card terminal technology and back-of-the-house needs such as payroll integration, the ability for employees to clock in and out, the ability to track inventory and customer data for the small business customer. Click here to read more >

I might be biased, but I think if you aren't receiving Biz Brief, you are missing out! Not a subscriber? Be sure to submit a request to be added to the email list. Already receive it and have feedback for me? Be sure to email me at editor@natso.com.

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