Topics: Marketing & Retail

Drive Extra Retail Sales at Your Truckstop on a Tax Free Day

As retailers it is important to have a holiday and seasonal retail/promotional program and participate in national holidays, which can be a sales driver. We often forget that our core customer and others who spend the majority of their time on our nation’s interstates and highways are starved for time when it comes to purchasing items for their loved ones gifts for that special occasion and or holiday. In my past, a robust holiday, one-day sale, summer drive and tax-free retail/promotional program all played a role in driving incredible retail sales through the coffers. Sales folks still today would have a hard time believing it had they not experienced it themselves. And, by the way, did I say tax-free day? More

Ten Questions for Your Own Domestic Study Tour

Learning from your peers is a great opportunity for operators to find new ideas to help improve the performance of their businesses. NATSO has hosted a number of Domestic Study Tours that combine tours of premier retail locations and networking opportunities with other innovative operators. The 2016 NATSO Domestic Study Tour will take place in September 14 – 15 at Fairfield BP, Lee Hi Travel Plaza and White's Travel Plaza near Lexington, Virginia. (These tours always sell out. I would encourage you to register soon as the feedback has been phenomenal.) For the ultimate study tour experience, I encourage you to join us. But, you can also craft your own mini study tour by keeping your eyes out for certain things every time you enter a competitor’s location. You could even pick a day to visit a handful of locations and compare their operations while searching for your own great ideas. Here are 10 sets of questions to ask yourself during your own, mini study tour. More

Five Fascinating Facts About NATSO Check-Link [Infographic]

Did you know, NATSO Check-Link is NATSO's longest-standing program? See the blog post to learn four more fascinating facts that you may not know about NATSO Check-Link. More

Top Ten New Truckstop and Travel Plaza Products of 2016

We at DAS are pleased to announce the top ten NEW products as voted on by retailers at the 2016 DAS Travel Center show. More

Three Ways to Network with Your Truckstop Customer to Build Relationships and Better Understand Their Needs

A loyal customer base is built on relationships, and every successful relationship takes work. During The NATSO Show, networking expert Thom Singer shared his insights and shared three ways truckstop and travel plaza operators can connect with their customers to build a stronger, more loyal customer base. Hire Friendly Employees: Finding friendly employees is one of the most important things for operators, Singer said. “You can teach people how to stock your shelves or how to clean, but you can’t teach friendly,” he said, adding that owners need to think about ways to make customers feel welcome... More

Four Ways to Connect with Truckstop Customers Shared at The NATSO Show

Building a brand is dependent on connecting with customers, and the nation’s most icon brands invest time and money researching the best ways to engage shoppers. During The NATSO Show 2016, J.T. McMahan, director of sales for Coca-Cola Refreshments, shared his insight into four key ways businesses can connect with those they serve. More

NATSO Check-Link Driver 101: Checks Are Safe

As my final Check-Link Driver 101 blog post, let’s discuss the safety aspect of Check-Link. Why would it be safer to write a check than use a credit card? Many people may not realize it, but checks are the safest form of payment after cash today. More

NATSO Check-Link Driver 101: Where Drivers Write Checks

Today let’s explore in the age of mobile payment methods, should drivers be concerned about finding places that will accept their checks if they participate in Check-Link? More

NATSO Check-Link Driver 101: Why Write Checks?

In the age of high credit card fees and fuel card fees, writing checks actually saves drivers money. Drivers pay very high processing fees to use credit cards or even fuel cards every time they fill their tank. In a lot of cases, those fees are hidden. More

How to Categorize Your Truckstop’s Merchandise and Increase Your Turns

Here is some of my basic truckstop merchandise advice: categorize your merchandise carefully and pay attention to how fast it turns. First, let’s chat categories. Breaking your merchandise down into categories at a minimum is critical to understanding why, when, how and what your merchandising is doing. And if you have the resources, breaking it down further to sub categories will help you further understand your merchandise. Detailed sales tracking helps good retailers learn more about their customers and their customers’ buying habits.... More

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