Browse SG’s Complete Article Library
Change Management That Actually Works
Change is no longer periodic, but constant: new systems, re-organizations, acquisitions, pricing strategies, safety programs, technology rollouts, leadership transitions. Yet despite the best intentions, most change efforts still fail to deliver the results leaders expect....
Importance of Environmental Due Diligence in Downstream Energy Property Transactions and Development
Environmental due diligence is an important consideration in most real estate transactions and development, but takes on particular importance when transferring, redeveloping or acquiring current or former service stations. Environmental due diligence provides prospective purchasers,...
Closing the Action Gap with AI: Voice Tickets for Equipment Fixes and Frontline Coaching
Store leaders hear problems all day: A gas pump fails A card reader freezes A new cashier struggles at the POS during rush. Most stores track equipment issues with a work order, then leave the...
Why Data Readiness Matters in an AI World
Organizations are racing to implement AI and advanced analytics, convinced that the right algorithms will unlock transformative insights. Yet many still struggle to see meaningful results. The hard truth is that no matter how smart...
Turn Foodservice Tech into Your Competitive Advantage
Convenience retail is moving fast, embracing AI-enabled upselling, smart kitchen automation, frictionless checkout, and integrated loyalty apps. Tech providers are eager to showcase their solutions, and customers increasingly expect digital, seamless experiences. With foodservice acting...
The Invisible Manager: How AI is Transforming C-Store Inventory
In the high-stakes, high-volume world of convenience store retail, “out of stock” isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It can mean a lost customer relationship. For decades, C-store owners have relied on a mix of gut...
Selling Peace of Mind
Looking at the following chart, it might be appropriate to offer fuel marketers congratulations simply for surviving 2025. The geopolitical and economic factors that whipsawed the market last year have been well documented: Tariffs affecting...
How Did Study Groups Members Stack Up in 2025?
End-of-Year Performance Summary by SG Vertical Study Groups (SG) member performance in 2025 reflected steadiness in a year of uneven economic conditions. “Flat was the new up” in most of the industries our members participate...
Edge Computing and AI: Powering the Next Wave of Retail Innovation
Retail technology is evolving at breakneck speed. According to the 2025 Convenience Store News Technology Study, retailers are prioritizing investments in electric vehicle (EV) charging stations (35%), retail media networks (30%), touchscreen ordering monitors (23%),...
The uncommitted fuel & c-store customer: What new data tells us about winning every transaction
Why are better experiences creating less loyal customers? The loyalty programs are better. The forecourts are cleaner. The foodservice rivals QSR quality. Yet after analyzing over 10 billion transactions and surveying thousands of shoppers and...
M&A Case Study: Matrix Advises Downs Energy on its Sale to Pilot Company
Downs Energy is a leading petroleum marketer that operates six high-performing cardlocks with a large fleet card customer base and a delivered fuels and lubricants distribution segment servicing commercial and municipal customers throughout Southern California....
Unleaded Fees: Stripping Away the “Premium” Cost of Online Payments
For two decades, the petroleum industry has operated on a simple “handshake” at the pump. The customer swipes their card, the machine verifies the chip, and the transaction is complete. This is Card Present (CP)...