Convenience Stores

Deloitte: Consumer spending dips in October
New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index marginally dipped in October after two months of consecutive increases. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending. The Index, which comprises four components--tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices--decreased to 4.1 in October from 4.4 the prior month. Highlights of the Index include:
Dollar General accepts American Express payment
Goodlettsville, Tenn. - All Dollar General stores now accept American Express cards as a form of payment. Dollar General operates more than 11,500 locations in 40 states. “We strive to provide our customers with a simple and hassle-free shopping experience,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s COO.

Study: Holiday shipping costs and online security top of mind for shoppers

New York -- A 2014 Kelly Scott Madison Holiday Shopping Study revealed that the top concerns for consumers this holiday season are shipping costs and online security, as 71% of respondents ranked both as top-of-mind. Other findings focused on timing and returns:
Sheetz opens new Burlington, N.C., distribution center

Altoona, Penn. -- C-store operator Sheetz cut the ceremonial red ribbon to officially open its new Burlington (North Carolina) Distribution Center. The $33 million facility contains a Sheetz Bros kitchen, distribution and warehousing center for the Sheetz distribution fleet. There is also be space for various corporate support departments.
Ralphs Grocery to hire 1,200 new employees across Southern California

Los Angeles -- Ralphs Grocery Co. said it will hire to fill an estimated 1,200 permanent positions at its stores in Southern California. Ralphs currently employs more than 19,000 associates at its stores in the region.
Togo's names former IHOP and Taco Bell exec as COO

San Jose, Calif. -- West Coast sandwich operator Togo's Eateries, Inc. has named Jim Peros as its new COO, charged with overseeing all operations and the expansion of the brand's restaurants throughout the West.
Retail sales rise ahead of holiday shopping

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. retail sales edged up in October, according to a report released by the Commerce Department, evidence that recent job gains and lower gas prices are lifting consumer spending as the holiday shopping season begins. Retail sales rose 0.3% last month after falling by the same amount in September. Excluding gas stations, where falling prices lowered spending, sales rose a solid 0.5%.
Smart & Final reports increases in quarterly profit and sales

Commerce, Calif. -- Smart & Final Stores, Inc. reported that profit for the third quarter edged up 1.9% to $10.2 million. Sales surged 10.8% to $1.13 billion, and same-store sales leapt 6.6%. “We continue to grow sales in both of our store banners--Smart & Final and Cash & Carry--and this has translated into strong financial results.," said Dave Hirz, president and CEO.
Exclusive: Tractor Supply, Aztec Shops improve HR with Kronos tech

Las Vegas –- At the recent KronosWorks 2014 conference in Las Vegas, clients across a variety of industries spoke about how they use Kronos solutions to better perform a variety of human resources and workforce management tasks.
Friday Halloween spurred early holiday spending

Atlanta -- This year, a Halloween that fell on Friday helped boost spending growth in October, according to the monthly SpendTrend report from First Data Corp.

Deloitte: Consumer spending dips in October

Dollar General accepts American Express payment

Study: Holiday shipping costs and online security top of mind for shoppers

Sheetz opens new Burlington, N.C., distribution center

Ralphs Grocery to hire 1,200 new employees across Southern California

Togo's names former IHOP and Taco Bell exec as COO

Retail sales rise ahead of holiday shopping

Smart & Final reports increases in quarterly profit and sales

Exclusive: Tractor Supply, Aztec Shops improve HR with Kronos tech

Friday Halloween spurred early holiday spending