Choice Market’s New Electricity is Electric Vehicles

 

Choice Market is looking a customer ahead.  Brand messaging matters and Choice Market is looking for the next generation of C-store shoppers begins by listing the price of electricity and fuel on its outdoor digital signage and that is a good thing according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA base Foodservice Solutions®.

There can be no doubt that Choice Market is targeting electric vehicle (EV) consumers and giving a nod to the future of mobility through the digital signage of its convenience store in the Denver neighborhood of City Park. So, the retail site, located at 2200 East Colfax Ave., lists the price of electricity right below the price of gas so EV consumers know what they'll pay, reported The Drive.

Price matters and citing reports from PlugShare, charging prices normally hover at around 15 cents per kilowatt-hour. It's highly competitive for the area, with others nearby charging significantly more.

Choice Market Chief Operating Officer Ben Kipfer, stated, "It's a pretty good rate, honestly, for charging up at 15 cents,". "It's something different and we want to get people inside the four walls, obviously, as well."

According to Kipfer, typical users stop to charge for 30 to 50 minutes. It's then the aim of the convenience store to welcome those customers inside for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Now think about this, "People walk in here, they always say, 'This is the nicest gas station I've ever been in,'" Kipfer said. "That grab and go case ... all again, it's organic, non-GMO, and local. I think people love it."

Kipfer notes that charging fees "probably should be a little bit higher," but the charging isn't a loss for the retailer. Instead it is "a profit center." Remember brand messaging is an invitation to visit your brand.  How are you extending your brand invitation? 

So, in addition to gas pumps, the Colfax Avenue Choice Market features two high-speed 50 kW DC chargers. Each is fitted with a standard CCS connector as well as a CHAdeMO plug for charging Nissan Leafs and similar models. The station also uses a Nissan Leaf as a delivery vehicle.

Online digital messaging matters as well, Choice Market highlighted its digital signage that listed the price of gas and electricity in a Facebook post on Earth Day. The post read, "Happy Earth Day! This past week a simple tweet of our sign on #colfaxave was shared around the world. @thechoicemarket is happy to see folks taking notice of the shifting #mobility landscape and the very real financial incentives with transitioning to an #electricvehicle. Sea change indeed. #chargingforward"

In case you did not know, the Colfax Avenue Choice Market opened in 2020. The 2,700-square-foot format features fuel pumps, EV supercharging, a bike share terminal, electric scooter charging stations and solar collection on the canopy. It also offers autonomous checkout, order and pay ahead via the Choice mobile app, and traditional checkout.

Continuing to evolve, Choice Market is partnering with Health Hospitality Partners, headquartered in St. Louis, to develop a new format, Choice Mini-Mart. The model was slated to launch at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus during the second quarter of 2022, as Convenience Store News previously reported.

The new format — which was specifically designed for non-traditional retail spaces such as hospitals, airports and campuses — will feature Choice: NOW, a technology that uses artificial intelligence and cameras to checkout customers without the need for a cashier, prepared food and natural groceries, as well as everyday necessities.

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. 

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the leader in the Grocerant niche.

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

Duchess C-store’s Foodservice Soars

 

Success does leave clues and continually evolving with consumers is a success clue that the team at Duchess C-stores have come to rely on. Focusing on fresh food and foodservice with its new flagship store will help drive continued success according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

So, measuring 5,500 square feet, the new flagship store is Duchess’ largest site to date. Designed with the consumer in mind, the store is a bright and welcoming space that features new brand elements, merchandising fixtures, and product selections for those on the go, time starved looking for fresh food fast.

You don’t have to be the largest chain in the world to drive customer relevance and set you self apart. By, elevating Duchess’ legacy store design, the New Albany flagship location pays homage to the company’s history and is also a nod to its future. While injecting the company’s family culture into the model, the newest Duchess store is modern, fresh and urban. It incorporates plants and photos to create a welcoming experience for customers.

In a Battle for Share of Stomach

The new store is now showcasing locally made products, breweries, and a family atmosphere. Consumer feel that they are in a welcoming environment.  In fact, the new store showcases a wide selection of unique and upscale offers, such as charcuterie boards, olives, chilled wine and healthy snack options. It also showcases local brands, including dozens of Ohio-made products like popcorn, chips, jerky, honey, jams and more.

Focusing in on fresh food fast and grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food. The new flagship location emphasizes Duchess’ take on fresh food by offering:

• Breakfast sandwiches — like the new Eggwich, which features sausage or bacon sandwiched between two egg patties and can be complemented by an order of hash brown sticks and fresh-brewed hot coffee.
• Hot sandwiches and grill items, ranging from burgers and hot dogs to pulled pork and chicken sandwiches.
• House-made sandwiches available via The Deli at Duchess.
• Stuffers, which are warm, flaky biscuits stuffed with classic flavors like sausage gravy or cheeseburger. They can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or any time of the day.
• Pizza, salads and snacks such as chicken tenders, egg rolls, fries and pickled eggs.
• Gooey and decadent cookies, doughnuts, cake pops and muffins.

There is more relevance as there are other amenities available at the Duchess flagship store are curbside pickup, accessible via the My Duchess mobile app or online at MyDuchess.com; and Crown Card Rewards, a non-payment-based rewards program that allows customers to earn and redeem points for qualifying in-store and fuel purchases.

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. 

Friendship Kitchen Fresh Prepared Grocerant Niche Offerings

Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food continues to drive top line sales and bottom line profits in every sector of foodservice retail today according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Friendship Kitchen is a first for 25 unit FriendShip Food Stores, the company operates along the shores of Lake Erie, from Toledo to Cleveland. Ed Burcher, vice president of foodservice for Friendship Food Stores stated “Our guests are enjoying our freshly hand-breaded chicken, FriendShip recipe pizza and hot breakfast sandwiches, prepared by our FriendShip Kitchen chefs,”

In FriendShip Kitchen foods are freshly prepared on premises. The menu is designed to offer something for everyone, all through the day — from oven-baked breakfast pizza, stuffed burritos and egg sandwiches, to coffee made from premium roasted beans, to lunch and dinner choices that range from salads to sandwiches to pizza and its FriendShip Kitchen signature chicken.

Burcher continued “We have worked for the last year to develop and refine the offer so that our guests enjoy the tastiest chicken and pizza. This has been a real team effort in building this new store offer and format for FriendShip,”

Friendship Kitchens is owned by Beck Suppliers who also distributes propane and heating oil to thousands of Midwest homes and businesses. The company’s construction division specializes in the installation and removal of petroleum fueling systems, as well as the installation, maintenance, support and operation of car washes. Is your company looking for a new avenue of growth?  Friendship Kitchens is the new electricity Beck Suppliers need to drive incremental top line sales and bottom line profits.   

What is the new electricity driving your top line sales and bottom line profits?  Are your customer counts growing?  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 prepared food, urban clothing, coins /currency, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, cash-less payments, digital hand held marketing.

Foodservice 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.  That will require brands to embrace new fresh food partnerships more now than ever before according to Johnson.

Are you trapped doing what you have always done and doing it the same way?  Where is your new electricity?  Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us 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:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.