Food Retailers Looking Ahead with Non-Traditional Partnerships

 

Thinking outside of the box can help you understand why and where your customers are shopping when they are not shopping at your food outlet.  More important looking outside the box can help you look a customer ahead according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  

Convenience store retail giant BP is teaming up with Hertz to develop a national network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations powered by BP Pulse, the company's global electrical and charging solution brand according to Johnson that is looking a customer ahead while literally building new electricity for the BP brand.

A recently signed memorandum of understanding sets the foundation for Hertz and BP to drive the future of mobility and accelerate EV consumer adoption, according to the company.

The agreement includes the management of Hertz's charging infrastructure by BP Pulse and the customization of its Omega software, which will support Hertz's fleet of electric rental cars by automating charging when the power price is low, while providing real-time visibility to EVs, chargers and power usage.

Hertz's footprint across North America will allow BP Pulse to build and manage a network of fast-charging hubs to serve the general public and Hertz customers, including taxi and ride sharing drivers.

Vic Shao, founder of Amply Power and president of BP Pulse's fleet division in the United States, stated, "This is a landmark moment. It shows the power of bringing together BP's digital and operational capabilities with a partner like Hertz," ... "Together with its industry-leading electrification ambitions, we can change the future of electric rental cars."

Hertz has assembled a fleet of EVs through large-scale purchases from Tesla, Polestar and General Motors. Its objective is for a quarter of its fleet to be electric by the end of 2024, with continued growth through acquisitions from various EV manufacturers.

The rental car company expects its partnership with BP Pulse to substantially expand its national charging footprint.

Hertz CEO Stephen Scherr, stated, "Hertz is accelerating the adoption of electrification by investing in the largest rental fleet of electric vehicles in North America and expanding the availability of charging stations,"  ... "We are excited to partner with BP Pulse to create a national charging infrastructure for the Hertz EV fleet, thereby growing the number of charging options available to our customers and providing them with a premium electric experience and lower emission travel options."

BP acquired fleet charging and energy management company Amply Power in 2021 as part of its commitment to grow mobility and fleet products and services in North America. Amply Power was later rebranded as BP Pulse and began installing charging infrastructure at 25 Hertz rental locations in multiple states in 2022.

Bernard Looney, CEO of BP, stated, "It's brilliant to be joining forces with Hertz — quite simply, they are one of the biggest names on the road,"... "Working together to deliver charging facilities and design solutions, we believe we can take the EV driving experience to the next level for U.S. customers. And this is just the start for BP Pulse in the United States."

So, BP Pulse is expanding its global network of high-speed charging for cars, light commercial vehicle, and trucks with the goal of reaching more than 100,00 chargers by 2030, with about 90 percent of those being rapid or ultra-fast chargers. The company also is partnering with fleet operators to accelerate the electric transformation of their fleets.

Building a Larger Share of Stomach Requires

Looking A Customer Ahead with

Outside the Box Partnerships

According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.” 

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, smaller footprint, developing brands, fresh flowers, grocerant positioning, fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable according to Johnson. 

Houston-based BP has different retail models across the U.S., ranging from company-owned retail stores, strategic partnerships, brand licensing, wholesale, business-to-business, dealer-owned and franchise-owned. Its mobility and convenience brands in the U.S. currently include BP, Amoco, ampm and Thorntons.

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

The Grocerant Guru

BP and VISA Team-Up Rivels Restaurant Rewards

 

Chain restaurants loyalty programs continue to gain popularity, drive sales, garnering new brand aficionados not to be out done there is one convenience store who’s new partnership will garner as must attention as any restaurant program and just might be the best food focused loyalty program in the U.S. according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Now take a look how BP is teaming with the First National Bank of Omaha (FNBA) and Visa to launch the new BPme Rewards Signature Visa credit card, a modern take on the traditional fuel card will drive new electricity into the BP brand and garner incremental revenue and foodservice attention.

BP seeks to improve customer benefits by combining the power of BPme Rewards with traditional credit card advantages, such as cash back rewards and flexible redemption options.

So, the BPme Rewards Signature Visa is an enhanced credit card offer built upon the existing BPme Rewards loyalty program. The BPme app makes it easy for users to pay, view receipts, track rewards and more through their mobile phone.

Lisa Blalock, vice president of marketing for BP, stated, "We put our customers at the heart of everything we do, this new BPme Rewards Visa gives the best rewards to our most loyal customers," … "We have enhanced the rewards, provided more choice in the way our customers can redeem and made it simple to save money on all fuel and convenience store purchases at BP and Amoco."

According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.” 

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, smaller footprint, developing brands, fresh flowers, grocerant positioning, fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable according to Johnson. 

Now, in case you did not know the BPme Rewards Visa can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. This provides cardholders with greater spending power and opportunities to earn rewards, the company said.

Benefits available at BP and Amoco c-stores include:

·         An automatic 15 cents off every gallon of BP and Amoco fuel purchases;

·         Five percent cash back on non-fuel purchases at BP and Amoco stores, including c-store and car wash purchases; and,

·         A special introductory offer of 30 cents off every gallon on BP and Amoco fuel purchases in the first 60 days after account opening.

Additionally, rewards available on other purchases include:

·         Three percent cash back on grocery purchases;

·         Three percent cash back on dining purchases, including restaurants, take-out and food delivery services; and,

·         One percent cash back on all other qualifying purchases.

Cardholders can redeem rewards their way, choosing from options such as cash back, account statement credit, gift cards from major retailers and travel experiences.

This might be the best part, there is no annual fee for the BPme Rewards Signature Visa, which has unlimited rewards potential, according to BP.

Jerry J. O'Flanagan, FNBO executive vice president, partner customer segment, stated, "We are honored to have the opportunity to work with such a well-known and highly regarded global brand as BP, and are confident their customers will find this new card to be of exceptional value," said.

More information on the new BPme Rewards Signature Visa is available at BPmeVisa.com/Launch.

Chicago-based BP's U.S. retail presence spans 7,300 sites in 35 states, including BP, ARCO/ampm, Amoco and Thorntons. BP has different retail models across the United States, ranging from company-owned retail stores, strategic partnerships, brand licensing, wholesale, business-to-business, dealer owned and franchise owned.

Do your food marketing ideas look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how our Grocerant Guru® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit: us on our social media sites by clicking one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

BP Global Growth with Foodservice and Technology

 

The convenience store that once was know as a gas station continues to evolve with consumer relevance today.  That relevance is at the intersection of Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food and consumer focused technology, according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

BP entered a global partnership with Uber Eats, that covers BP stores on the West Coast of the United States, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and South Africa. Once again highlighting the continued strength and demand for Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food worldwide according to Johnson.

Consumers want what they want and they want it now.  This new partnership with Uber Eats, aims to bring the delivery service to more than 3,000 locations globally by 2025. What this does is elevate the BP branded foodservice to top of mind status with local consumers.  That branded messaging will without doubt drive new electricity into BP brand and food and beverage options globally.

According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.” 

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, developing brands, unique urban clothing, grocerant positioning, fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different. 

In a Battle for Share of Stomach

You Can Win

Since BP entered into a new global strategic convenience delivery partnership with San Francisco-based Uber Technologies that extends the companies' existing local arrangements to reach more consumers across the world industry buzz has already increased.

Leaders lead as the old adage goes.  This new partnership makes BP the first convenience retailer to team up with Uber Eats on a global level. The partnership supports the company's goal of growing its access to customers and expanding its delivery footprint in response to soaring demand for food, groceries and everyday essentials brought to the door, according to BP.

Emma Delaney, executive vice president customers and products, BP, stated. "We're thrilled to team up with Uber Eats globally giving us the opportunity to reach many more consumers online in addition to those who currently visit our retail sites. We've seen how the pandemic has accelerated customer demand for delivered convenience and this partnership will allow us to scale up quickly on the Uber platform. And for the first time, we will be able to offer delivery options to existing customers on our own BPme app by the end of 2023,".

 

In case you did not know, BP has 20,500 retail stores across the world and 550 million customers living within 20 minutes of one of those sites, the partners see opportunities for growth. BP stores offer a range of products tailored to local markets, which may include hot and cold drinks, food-for-now options as well as staple groceries, fresh produce and ready meals, plus wine, beer and flowers. 

For example:

·         In the U.K., customers will be able to access a range of Wild Bean Café, and other branded food and products via Uber Eats – with the first 120 sites due live on the platform by the end of June.

·         In the U.S., the offer will be made available to BP's network of independently owned retail locations to support the growth of their businesses. The goal is to make it easy for these partners to sign up to the Uber Eats platform and access benefits based on BP's scale.

Now according to BP, it will benefit from Uber's global brand and operations footprint, technology for dispatching orders and more than 4.4 million drivers and couriers on the platform worldwide.

So, as part of the agreement, Uber Eats and BP will work to introduce delivery options onto BP's app, BPme — initially planned to be available in the U.K., U.S. and Australia by the end of 2023 — powered by Uber Direct. The offer will allow BP to directly connect its customers to delivery riders.

Pierre Dimitri Gore-Coty, Uber's senior vice president of global delivery, stated, "With more than 20,500 locations around the world, BP's reach is enormous — making them critical partners as we pursue our ambitions of helping consumers across the world get what they need delivered to their doorsteps,"... "We are proud to support this next phase of the company's convenience growth through this delivery partnership and look forward to deeper collaboration in the future."

The two companies already work together in mobility with BP providing electric vehicle charging for Uber's ride-hail drivers. They said they will explore other areas for future cooperation in convenience, including opportunities to utilize low carbon delivery methods to fulfill orders from BP sites.

Success does leave clues. One clue that time and time again continues to resurface is “the consumer is dynamic not static”.  Regular readers of this blog know that is the common refrain of Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Our Grocerant Guru® can help your company edify your brand with relevance.  Call 253-759-7869 for more information. 

BP's ampm C-store has Mojo

Foodservice Solutions® grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food pontification, implementation, and track record of success since 1991 has once again can be found at a retail chain of over 1000 units.  This time London based BP P.L.C. ampm division is rolling out “Project Mojo consisting of new in-store graphics, a new coffee program, and a new fresh food program.”

Chief Operating Officer Donna Sanker  "We are dialing up the offer, making it current and fresh, and aligned with the trends we see around our consumer base,"  The ampm division is a majority franchise operation, the ampm network currently spans five western states: Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. This new focus on fresh food will create a platform so ampm can become a formative competitor in the fresh food space and clear rival for 7-Elevens fresh food offerings.

The goal of Project Mojo is exactly what it sounds like: maintain and enhance the Mojo at ampm with an updated store image and offers that consumers are demanding, according to Carl Orsbourn, BP's director of convenience marketing for the ampm brand.

 If Orsbourn had to choose which initiative of Project Mojo he is most excited about, it would be the fresh food element because he firmly believes that foodservice — and all areas associated with it — is going to be an "important differentiator" for ampm.

Fresh food, in particular, has the ability to attract new consumers, as well as draw out different missions from current consumers, he said. If ampm gets fresh food right, it will build further trust in the brand and heighten consumer perceptions about "gas station food" quality, he continued.

Does your brand have Mojo? For international corporate presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us  the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking will leave success clues for all. Visit: www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information