Even if you weren’t planning to buy a cup of coffee or a fountain drink when you stopped at FuelMaxx, you’d be tempted to get one once you see the location’s displays. The coffee area and beverage stations are stunning. They have every flavor slushie you could ever want, and a milkshake area for those looking for a sweet treat.
03-03-2017 Simmons Travel Center is a good looking operation that does all sorts of things well. One area where they really excel is mixing truck and four-wheel traffic. They have focused on understanding each of the two customer groups and have found several ways to mix them successfully in one operation.
02-24-2017 Have you walked into a department store and noticed how some retailers are creating a store within a store? Macy’s added a pop-up Etsy shop within its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, Meijer added a Skechers shoes concept shop to its location in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and J.C. Penny has added mini Sephora stores inside its locations. The idea is it creates a destination and makes people venture into different areas of the store.
01-06-2017 Darren Schulte, NATSO vice president of
membership, frequently visits NATSO members to review their locations and offers impactful merchandising and operational improvements.
He periodically shares stories about the great retailers he visits on the blog. Here is snap shot
of just a few.
While roaming around St. Rose Travel Center, there is a good chance you’ll run into Miss Pat, which tells you everything you need to know about the Southern hospitality that you’ll find at this location in St. Rose, Louisiana. The minute you walk in the door you get a wonderful warm feeling. They greet customers with a smile and they know most of their people by name. Whether you’re a repeat visitor or stopping in for the first time, you feel welcome.
12-30-2016 At TimeMaxx in Baytown, Texas, travelers with children will feel at home. The location is clean and well-lit and has a great mix of products and food that appeal to families as well as solo travelers.
12-23-2016 We’ve talked before about how critical signage in to attract customers, and Littlefield Express in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, is a perfect example of just how powerful signage can be—both inside and out. The location has mastered messaging with its outside signage setting the stage for what customers can expect and drawing them inside. Most importantly, it fulfills the promise once customers walk through the door.
12-16-2016 At the Orchard Creek convenience store in Raphine, Virginia, shoppers can pick up handbags, candles and home décor in addition to the items travelers often need, and the location has positioned itself as a destination stop for unique items.
12-02-2016 For many of our independent travel plaza members, there is an untapped opportunity to capitalize on specific sights, sounds and flavors distinct to their community. Doing just that, Frog City Travel Plaza in Rayne, Louisiana, has capitalized on its connection with frogs, drawing on the local flair of the community they operate in to create a memorable brand and draw in travelers as well as locals.
11-18-2016 When Silver’s Travel Center rebranded its c-store location by franchising with On The Run by Circle K, it brought a new atmosphere to the store and led to a 15 percent increase in sales.
11-11-2016Gerald Danniel, chief operating officer of Liberty Petroleum Distributors, has an eye for detail, and that level of attention shines through at the company’s many locations.
10-28-2016