Convenience Store Petroleum News
Convenience stores have a real opportunity to drive the next stage of growth for craft beers.” While Jim Koch, founder of Boston Beer Co., certainly focused on the might of his company’s brews in his comments made during the opening reception of CSP’s third annual Import, Specialty& Craft Beer Summit, the once-small-time brewer recognized the strength of the c-store channel inthe category and challenged retailers to take it upon themselves to increase sales through wise assortment and generous marketing.
The Economy and Beer Sets
After a long period of convenience-store operators adding new and different products and services to expand their appeal to consumers, Mike Kaskie (left) of Information Resources Inc., Chicago, offered a message about taking a step back in the current economy. “I really think now more than ever your bread and butter is tobacco, beer, wine and spirits,” said Kaskie, executive vice president of IRI’s strategic solutions group, during CSP’s Import, Specialty & Craft Beer Summit.