Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG) announced today that it has agreed with CHS Inc. and its Cenex® brand to establish and conduct a convenience store buying club named the Cenex® Advantage Program. This will allow Royal Buying Group to provide convenience retailing services to all Cenex branded channel partners in the form of marketing programs, rebate administration, and promotion management.
According to Jane Mrozek, CHS marketing specialist, “CHS Retail Solutions has established collaborative business relationships that are designed to help the independent retailer gain more negotiating clout, deepen discounts, maximize rewards and build store traffic. With nearly 1,400 Cenex branded retail locations across the United States, we’re committed to generating strategic alliances with strong programs that help the retailer succeed. By agreeing with the Royal Buying Group to offer the Cenex Advantage Program, we’re helping Cenex retailers take advantage of program discounts and improve profitability.”
“By combining the strategic directives of the Cenex marketing team with our niche services for the independent retailer, Royal Buying Group has taken a significant step in aggregating the buying power of all Cenex branded channel partners. Our personal relationships, training services, and merchandising capabilities will continue to help both vendors and operators achieve ‘the competitive edge’ in the convenience store industry,” stated Angela Angelilli, Vice-President, Member Services of Royal Buying Group, Inc. “We are looking forward to utilizing the strength of the Cenex brand to create impactful marketing programs and promotions.”
For more information about the Cenex Advantage Program, please visit www.cenexadvatage.com or contact Angela Angelilli at a.angelilli@royalbuying.com or (630)353-7951.
About CHS Inc.:
CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to helping its customers, farmer-owners and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS, a Fortune 100 company, supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain marketing services, livestock feed, food and food ingredients, along with business solutions including insurance, financial and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.
About Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG):
Royal Buying Group Inc., headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, is a national organization dedicated to maximizing sales and profitability of Convenience Stores, Petroleum Locations, College Book Stores, Truckstops/Travel Plaza Centers, Auto Repair facilities, Drug Stores, Tobacco Outlets, and Liquor Stores. Recently named to the 2008, 2007, and 2003 Inc. 500, and the 2010, 2009, and 2006 Inc. 5000, as one of America’s fastest growing companies, RBG also was ranked the 6th fastest growing company by Crain’s Chicago in 2012 and 2008, and is listed as one of the largest privately held companies in the Chicago area. Royal Buying Group, Inc. now represents over 6500 locations nationwide. Their core service capabilities include negotiating with regional and national suppliers for impactful and competitive sales and marketing programs and providing category management expertise, state of the art marketing support and excellent customer service support for its membership. Visit the website at www.royalbuying.com for more information on Royal Buying Group, Inc.
Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG) is a national merchandising & marketing company for independent, single and multiple-site retailers representing thousands of convenience stores, petroleum locations, truck stop-travel plazas, auto repair shops, college book stores, independent drug stores, tobacco outlets and liquor stores throughout the country. Royal Buying Group, Inc. is dedicated to maximizing sales and profitability of convenience retailers.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Save the Date for Royal Buying Group’s Annual Networking Event and Golf Outing
Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG) announced today details about the twelfth (12th) annual Independent C-Store Networking Event and Golf Outing. This year’s event will be held at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club at 1 Pete Dye Drive in Lemont, Illinois on Thursday, September 6, 2012. This event will provide a nice casual setting for current or potential Royal Buying Group, Inc. suppliers and retailers to meet and talk about today’s convenience retailing industry.
This year’s golfing event will also support the Royal Buying Group, Inc. Education Scholarship Program. In order to give back something to the convenience store industry and to help nurture future leaders, Royal Buying Group, Inc. will award educational scholarships to RBG retailers and/or their children that are High School seniors or graduates who are planning to or are enrolled at an accredited two or four-year College or University in the United States that will lead to an academic degree. The application process and related details regarding the Scholarship Program will be announced in the fall of this year.
Suppliers that would like to register or request additional information about the event may contact Donna Joritz at (630) 353-7981 or at d.joritz@royalbuying.com. Retailers may register for the event by contacting Katie Ames at (630) 353-7952 or at k.ames@royalbuying.com. Registration forms and more details regarding the golf outing can also be found by visiting http://www.i-c-expo.com/.
This year’s golfing event will also support the Royal Buying Group, Inc. Education Scholarship Program. In order to give back something to the convenience store industry and to help nurture future leaders, Royal Buying Group, Inc. will award educational scholarships to RBG retailers and/or their children that are High School seniors or graduates who are planning to or are enrolled at an accredited two or four-year College or University in the United States that will lead to an academic degree. The application process and related details regarding the Scholarship Program will be announced in the fall of this year.
Suppliers that would like to register or request additional information about the event may contact Donna Joritz at (630) 353-7981 or at d.joritz@royalbuying.com. Retailers may register for the event by contacting Katie Ames at (630) 353-7952 or at k.ames@royalbuying.com. Registration forms and more details regarding the golf outing can also be found by visiting http://www.i-c-expo.com/.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
RBG Announced the 2011 Vendors of the Year
April 12, 2012, Oak Brook, IL - Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG) announced the 2011 Vendors of the Year at the 2012 Independent C-Store Expo. RBG grants this award to vendors who provide the highest level of service and programming in their category to Royal Buying Group’s chain of independently operated convenience stores, college bookstores, truck stops/travel plazas and independently operated pharmacy locations, tobacco, and liquor store locations. The following companies and contacts were honored with this award:
Beverage Category
George Graziano, Sales Director – Convenience West, Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Candy Category
James Janzen, Director – Customer Development, Nestle
General Merchandise Category
Kevin Dohoney, Business Manager – Chicago, BIC
Equipment Category
Jim Brunoldi, Sr. Relationship Manager – Regional Accounts, Cardtronics, Inc.
Foodservice Category
Shultz Hartgrove III, SVP Development – Convenience & Non Traditional, Quiznos
Snacks Category
TJ Powers, Senior Manager – Business Development, Kellogg’s
Tobacco Category
Inga Pedersen, Territory Manager, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Distributor Category
Steve Brady, Vice President of Sales – Convenience & Military, McLane Company, Inc.
Monday, March 12, 2012
I-C-Expo Announces First Educational Session with General Mills
Lisle, ILL – The Royal Buying Group (RBG) announced today the first of three available educational sessions in association with the 2012 Independent C-Store Expo (I-C-Expo) that is being held on April 12, 2012 at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook in Oak Brook, IL. The first educational session being offered is Category Management 101, presented by General Mills Convenience. This session will be held at 11:00am – 12:00pm, prior to the I-C-Expo exhibiting tradeshow hours. There will be a lunch buffet offered throughout the duration of the Educational Sessions for retailers attending any of the provided sessions. The Educational Sessions are free for all retailers to attend.
The Category Management 101 Session, presented Kelly Fulford of General Mills Convenience, will share a comprehensive overview of Category Management concepts and principles in the context of their specific application to Convenience Stores. This session will break down the definition of category management into a basic, easy-to-understand definition and discuss how to leverage data to make the best assortment decisions. In addition, it will provide some basic merchandising guidelines that will help retailers organize their most important categories in a way that makes the most sense to their consumer. This session will also explore the convenience store shopper and the distinct opportunities and actionable takeaways that can be applied by understanding the unique shopping habits of today’s consumers.
About Kelly Fulford:
Kelly is the Senior Category Development Manager at General Mills Convenience. She joined General Mills in 2003 and has held numerous positions across multiple functions of the organization including category management, sales, marketing, and operations. In her current role, Kelly is responsible for leading the Convenience Category Management team and all category management related activities for key distributors and retailers across the United States. She has worked in category management over the past 4 years and has been instrumental in elevating the category management tools and capabilities for General Mills.
Prior to General Mills Inc, Kelly worked in the financial industry for over 15-years and held several senior executive positions in marketing and sales operations.
Kelly received her Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University majoring in Communications and Organizational Management. Kelly obtained her Master’s degree in Organizational Management from Concordia University in 2001, and is currently working towards her MBA. She will be graduating in June, 2012.
The Category Management 101 Session, presented Kelly Fulford of General Mills Convenience, will share a comprehensive overview of Category Management concepts and principles in the context of their specific application to Convenience Stores. This session will break down the definition of category management into a basic, easy-to-understand definition and discuss how to leverage data to make the best assortment decisions. In addition, it will provide some basic merchandising guidelines that will help retailers organize their most important categories in a way that makes the most sense to their consumer. This session will also explore the convenience store shopper and the distinct opportunities and actionable takeaways that can be applied by understanding the unique shopping habits of today’s consumers.
About Kelly Fulford:
Kelly is the Senior Category Development Manager at General Mills Convenience. She joined General Mills in 2003 and has held numerous positions across multiple functions of the organization including category management, sales, marketing, and operations. In her current role, Kelly is responsible for leading the Convenience Category Management team and all category management related activities for key distributors and retailers across the United States. She has worked in category management over the past 4 years and has been instrumental in elevating the category management tools and capabilities for General Mills.Prior to General Mills Inc, Kelly worked in the financial industry for over 15-years and held several senior executive positions in marketing and sales operations.
Kelly received her Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University majoring in Communications and Organizational Management. Kelly obtained her Master’s degree in Organizational Management from Concordia University in 2001, and is currently working towards her MBA. She will be graduating in June, 2012.
Monday, February 20, 2012
C-Store Training Services Introduces New Workshops
C-Store Training Services, a division of Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG) added today two new workshops to its library of available classes and workshops. Both workshops will be offered on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook Hotel located at 1401 West 22nd Street in Oak Brook, Illinois. C-Store Training Workshops will be instructed by Mark Wells and Bonnie Wells of LJT Management, whom have over 25 years of C-Store Industry training experience.
C-Store Merchandising for Results – this workshop will take an in depth look into all of the merchandising categories and the key to building sales in each one. Discussion topics will include:
Coaching Employees to Suggestively Sell – this workshop’s focus will be on how to instruct c-store employees in order to increase sales through suggestive selling techniques. Discussion topics will include:
There is currently an early bird registration rate of $169 for those who register by March 1, 2012. Standard registration rates of $199 will take effect starting March 2nd. All lunch and course materials are included in the registration price.
“We look forward to continuing the availability of C-Store Training Services workshops and the practical and everyday application that is offered through them,” states the Vice President of Member Services, Angela Angelilli. “We believe that the best and most efficient way to offer today’s leaders of independent retailers, jobbers, and c-store employees is still through first hand training. That is why we have decided to offer two half day workshops prior to the I-C-Expo’s tradeshow.”
People looking to attend one of C-Store Training Services available workshops can register through the C-Store Training website at www.c-storetraining.com. They may also acquire additional information by contacting Angela Angelilli at (630)353-7951 or a.angelilli@royalbuying.com.
About C-Store Training Services:
C-Store Training Services (CSTS), a division of Royal Buying Group, Inc., provides the highest level of educational products with industry experts to provide complete retail instruction and business coaching to the convenience retailing channel. It offers courses on a variety of topics that can help with issues retailers face every day. Workshops are available for dealers and/or employees that are proven to increase profitability and operations. For a complete listing of C-Store Training’s workshops visit the website at www.c-storetraining.com. Customized classes are also available to fit specific needs and areas of development. Computer Based CD Module and Digital Download Training is also available which cover topics such as: Customer Service, Financial Management, Food Service, Human Resources, and Loss Prevention. Tthere are over 25 thirty minute CD’s or digital downloads, which include testing at the end of each set. The Computer Based Training was ranked number 5 in the NACS 2011 Cool Newest Products. In addition, CSTS has partnered with Emagine How, which offers the RIGHTWAY Training System, a hands-on comprehensive training system customized to match your store’s procedures. Another service available is C-Store Certification, an online testing and certification subscription which uses challenging questions and techniques for your employees. This certification provides immediate feedback and printable reports to assist with training needs. All products and information are available through our website at www.c-storetraining.com.
C-Store Merchandising for Results – this workshop will take an in depth look into all of the merchandising categories and the key to building sales in each one. Discussion topics will include:
- Merchandising trends
- C-store merchandising
- Product pricing strategies
- Store layout and display
- Sales tracking
- Shrink analysis
- Marketing techniques
Coaching Employees to Suggestively Sell – this workshop’s focus will be on how to instruct c-store employees in order to increase sales through suggestive selling techniques. Discussion topics will include:
- Why cashiers love to suggestively sell
- Obstacles of suggestive selling
- Product knowledge
- Bundling products
- Keys to suggestive selling
- Attributes of a good a good leader
There is currently an early bird registration rate of $169 for those who register by March 1, 2012. Standard registration rates of $199 will take effect starting March 2nd. All lunch and course materials are included in the registration price.
“We look forward to continuing the availability of C-Store Training Services workshops and the practical and everyday application that is offered through them,” states the Vice President of Member Services, Angela Angelilli. “We believe that the best and most efficient way to offer today’s leaders of independent retailers, jobbers, and c-store employees is still through first hand training. That is why we have decided to offer two half day workshops prior to the I-C-Expo’s tradeshow.”
People looking to attend one of C-Store Training Services available workshops can register through the C-Store Training website at www.c-storetraining.com. They may also acquire additional information by contacting Angela Angelilli at (630)353-7951 or a.angelilli@royalbuying.com.
About C-Store Training Services:
C-Store Training Services (CSTS), a division of Royal Buying Group, Inc., provides the highest level of educational products with industry experts to provide complete retail instruction and business coaching to the convenience retailing channel. It offers courses on a variety of topics that can help with issues retailers face every day. Workshops are available for dealers and/or employees that are proven to increase profitability and operations. For a complete listing of C-Store Training’s workshops visit the website at www.c-storetraining.com. Customized classes are also available to fit specific needs and areas of development. Computer Based CD Module and Digital Download Training is also available which cover topics such as: Customer Service, Financial Management, Food Service, Human Resources, and Loss Prevention. Tthere are over 25 thirty minute CD’s or digital downloads, which include testing at the end of each set. The Computer Based Training was ranked number 5 in the NACS 2011 Cool Newest Products. In addition, CSTS has partnered with Emagine How, which offers the RIGHTWAY Training System, a hands-on comprehensive training system customized to match your store’s procedures. Another service available is C-Store Certification, an online testing and certification subscription which uses challenging questions and techniques for your employees. This certification provides immediate feedback and printable reports to assist with training needs. All products and information are available through our website at www.c-storetraining.com.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Independent C-Store Expo Announces Advisory Board Selection
Lisle, ILL – Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG) announced its selection of the advisory board for the Independent C-Store Expo (I-C-Expo), which will be held on Thursday, April 12th, 2012 at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook Hotel located in Oak Brook, Illinois. The following group of current independent c-store industry veterans has been selected to provide feedback and help guide topics and content for the expo:
Independent C-Store Expo Advisory Board
Carol Davis Tammy McDade
University of Illinois-Chicago Harvey’s Corner, LLC.
Chicago, IL 60607 Country Club Hills, IL 60478
Robert & Kay Murphy Ken Reichert
Devon Enterprises, Inc. GROWMARK, Inc.
Bensonville, IL 60106 Bloomington, IL
Wholesale Fuel Jobber
Kim Skidmore Andrea Whitmore
Taddco No.1, LLC Airport Shell
Selma, CA 93662 Wadsworth, IL 60083
The Educational seminars will begin at 11:00am with the doors to the trade show opening at 2:00pm on Thursday, April 12th. The tradeshow is scheduled to end at 7:00pm. This year’s expo will feature trade show floor and meeting space, networking, and educational seminars on various industry topics available to all convenience store operators. People of interest at the event will include nationally recognized industry experts, supplier representatives, and a special celebrity guest appearance, which will be announced in the near future. The I-C-Expo will assist suppliers in receiving in-depth, first hand learning and insight into a key segment of the c-store industry. Supplier and Member awards will be presented at the trade show, in addition to announcing the winners of RBG’s 11th annual Scholarship Program. Royal Buying Group will present two (2) scholarships to members and/or members’ children that are currently attending or enrolled to attend an accredited secondary educational institution.
A block of rooms at a special negotiated rate has been reserved for out of town members and vendors wishing to attend the event. You may reserve your room on-line at www.i-c-expo.com or, contact Donna Joritz at (630) 353-7981 for more information regarding room reservations. Interested retailers may contact Angela Angelilli, Vice President Member Services, at (630) 353-7951 or at a.angelilli@royalbuying.com. For suppliers/manufacturers/vendors wishing to exhibit at the show, please contact Sharon Porter, Director of Vendors/Business Development, at (630) 353-7975 or at s.porter@royalbuying.com.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Royal Buying Group Expands their Independent Retailer Event
Lisle, IL – Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG) has announced today that they have expanded their annual independent retailer event to (2) two days. C-Store Training Services will provide (2) two enhanced training workshops on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 and the Independent C-Store Expo (I-C-Expo) will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2012. The 2012 I-C-Expo is projected to be their biggest show yet with an expansion of booths and space of up to fifty percent larger than previous expos. The two days of activities and events will be held at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook Hotel located in Oak Brook, Illinois.
The first day of events, Wednesday, April 11th, will feature two new training workshops through Royal Buying Group’s training division, C-Store Training Services. All retailers are welcome to register to attend the workshops. Registration is available at www.c-storetraining.com or by contacting either Julia Angelilli at j.angelilli@royalbuying.com / (630) 353-7957 or Jeremy Lemke at j.lemke@royalbuying.com / (630) 353-7970.
All vendors and retailers are encouraged to come and participate in the Welcome Reception to be held the evening of Wednesday, April 11th. The welcome reception is intended to be a time to meet and socialize with others in the C-Store Industry in a casual and laid back environment, while further establishing relationships and knowledge of the industry.
The second day, Thursday, April 12th, will begin with exhibitor registration and set up at 8:00am. There will be a brunch provided starting at 10:00am, prior and during the available educational sessions. There will be (3) three free educational sessions that are open to all retailers to attend. They will be held at 11:00am, 12:00pm, and 1:00pm. The educational session topics will be announced closer to the event. The tradeshow exhibit hall will open promptly at the conclusion of the last educational session at 2:00pm. The new exhibiting hours of the show are from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. Food and beverages will be provided during the show hours, along with a similar format to previous years to include door prizes and take home sample bags. There will be announcements of the Vendor and Retailer of the Year awards beginning at 6:00pm, followed by the selection of the recipients of the 2012 RBG Scholarship Program, and concluding with the grand prize raffle drawing.
Interested retailers and/or jobbers may contact Angela Angelilli at (630) 353-7951 or a.angelilli@royalbuying.com. Suppliers/manufacturers/vendors wishing to exhibit at the show can contact Sharon Porter, Director of Vendors/Business Development at (630) 353-7975 or at s.porter@royalbuying.com. More details regarding the Independent C-Store Expo’s extended show and itinerary can be found at: www.i-c-expo.com.
About Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG):
Royal Buying Group Inc., headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, is a national organization dedicated to maximizing sales and profitability of Convenience Stores, Petroleum Locations, College Book Stores, Truckstops/Travel Plaza Centers, Auto Repair facilities, Drug Stores, Tobacco Outlets, and Liquor Stores. Recently named to the 2008, 2007, and 2003 Inc. 500, and the 2010, 2009, and 2006 Inc. 5000, as one of America’s fastest growing companies, RBG also was ranked the 6th fastest growing company by Crain’s Chicago in 2008, and is listed as one of the largest privately held companies in the Chicago area. Royal Buying Group, Inc. now represents over 6500 locations nationwide. Their core service capabilities include negotiating with regional and national suppliers for impactful and competitive sales and marketing programs and providing category management expertise, state of the art marketing support and excellent customer service support for its membership. Visit our website at www.royalbuying.com for more information on Royal Buying Group, Inc.
The first day of events, Wednesday, April 11th, will feature two new training workshops through Royal Buying Group’s training division, C-Store Training Services. All retailers are welcome to register to attend the workshops. Registration is available at www.c-storetraining.com or by contacting either Julia Angelilli at j.angelilli@royalbuying.com / (630) 353-7957 or Jeremy Lemke at j.lemke@royalbuying.com / (630) 353-7970.
All vendors and retailers are encouraged to come and participate in the Welcome Reception to be held the evening of Wednesday, April 11th. The welcome reception is intended to be a time to meet and socialize with others in the C-Store Industry in a casual and laid back environment, while further establishing relationships and knowledge of the industry.
The second day, Thursday, April 12th, will begin with exhibitor registration and set up at 8:00am. There will be a brunch provided starting at 10:00am, prior and during the available educational sessions. There will be (3) three free educational sessions that are open to all retailers to attend. They will be held at 11:00am, 12:00pm, and 1:00pm. The educational session topics will be announced closer to the event. The tradeshow exhibit hall will open promptly at the conclusion of the last educational session at 2:00pm. The new exhibiting hours of the show are from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. Food and beverages will be provided during the show hours, along with a similar format to previous years to include door prizes and take home sample bags. There will be announcements of the Vendor and Retailer of the Year awards beginning at 6:00pm, followed by the selection of the recipients of the 2012 RBG Scholarship Program, and concluding with the grand prize raffle drawing.
Interested retailers and/or jobbers may contact Angela Angelilli at (630) 353-7951 or a.angelilli@royalbuying.com. Suppliers/manufacturers/vendors wishing to exhibit at the show can contact Sharon Porter, Director of Vendors/Business Development at (630) 353-7975 or at s.porter@royalbuying.com. More details regarding the Independent C-Store Expo’s extended show and itinerary can be found at: www.i-c-expo.com.
About Royal Buying Group, Inc. (RBG):
Royal Buying Group Inc., headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, is a national organization dedicated to maximizing sales and profitability of Convenience Stores, Petroleum Locations, College Book Stores, Truckstops/Travel Plaza Centers, Auto Repair facilities, Drug Stores, Tobacco Outlets, and Liquor Stores. Recently named to the 2008, 2007, and 2003 Inc. 500, and the 2010, 2009, and 2006 Inc. 5000, as one of America’s fastest growing companies, RBG also was ranked the 6th fastest growing company by Crain’s Chicago in 2008, and is listed as one of the largest privately held companies in the Chicago area. Royal Buying Group, Inc. now represents over 6500 locations nationwide. Their core service capabilities include negotiating with regional and national suppliers for impactful and competitive sales and marketing programs and providing category management expertise, state of the art marketing support and excellent customer service support for its membership. Visit our website at www.royalbuying.com for more information on Royal Buying Group, Inc.
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