Welcome to the newest post in our blog series, Darren’s Great Ideas! for Independent Operators.
Essentials of Successful Truckstop Retail and Food Service Merchandising
We are seeing a lot of new independent and small regional operations coming into the market place.
Many of these locations could be considered non-traditional or hybrid travel plaza and travel center operators. They offer limited services for over-the-road drivers with robust modern crafted food-to-go programs, which equates to a low cost of operation compared to traditional truckstops. This model offers a potentially stronger net operating cost (NOC).
Additionally, many operators are expanding and/or remodeling their locations, specifically focusing on the retail and food segment areas.
In this uncertain economic recovery, it seems to me that operators are feverishly pushing to maximize their capital improvement investments and create differentiation from their competitor. From my travels to truckstops, I'd say this push is stronger now than five years ago.
As this exploration on the value of facelists says, “Renovations come in all shapes and sizes, which is causing some retailers to re-evaluate how extensive their remodeling plans should be."
Unsure how extensive your new build and or remodel plans should be? NATSO members should reach out to Chairman's Circle member Paragon Solutions for a free consultation. (NATSO members can set-up a free consultation to learn more about the services Paragon Solutions offers by contacting Michael Lawshe or Bud Moore at (817) 927-7171.)
In the mean time, keep these 11 key essentials top of mind when considering adding new operations and/or remodeling areas within your operation:
- Store location
- Product offering, product lines, and product services
- Store design and layout
- Product placement and display
- Signage, messaging, advertising, and promotion
- Product availability and inventory management
- Receiving, pricing and stocking touch points
- Selling prices
- Suggestive selling, selling of product and customer service
- Employee expectations, morale, appearance and conduct
- Curb appeal, customer experience, housekeeping and sanitation
/// Read more Darren's Great Ideas for Independent Operators posts here.
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Join the conversation! What elements do you look at when considering remodeling? |
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