Thursday June 14, 2007 FEATURES DVD rental machines gain in supermarkets; c-stores next? Thousands of automated DVD kiosks have been installed in supermarkets across the country, according to suppliers of the machines. Could convenience stores be next? Giant Eagle, Inc., a supermarket and convenience store operator in the Pittsburgh market, started testing redbox automated DVD kiosks in five GetGo convenience stores in December. (Full Story) Gasoline prices dip, drive-offs don't Gasoline and diesel prices decreased, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), but prices remain high, and that, according to media reports, is resulting in many more drive-offs. For example, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., according to police reports, 66 gas drive-offs were reported in May, making it the busiest month for drive-offs since October, according to a June 5 article by Peter Wyle in The Southeast Missourian. (Full Story) Sign up for a FREE subscription to NPN, the magazine that has been reporting news and trends in the petroleum and convenience store industry since 1909. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Get The Data That Drives The Petroleum & Convenience Industry Today! To order your print copy or CD version of the 2006 NPN MarketFacts edition, please click here NEWS ITEMS Meridian program designed to find 'hidden' cash, profits, in petro business Hardeman Cordell, president of Central Oil & Supply, a regional lubricants and fuel wholesaler and distributor in Monroe, La., said his company has improved its ability to negotiate with suppliers with help from a training program offered by Meridian Associates. (Full Story) TIO Networks to promote through Shell Oil program TIO Networks Corp. on June 12 announced a marketing campaign to promote TIO Financial Services through the STARZ (Shell Trading and Retail Zone) program. (Full Story) In Alaska: cigarette tax to rise by 20 cents per pack Alaska's Department of Revenue announced a cigarette sales tax increase - 20 cents per pack - that goes into effect July 1, the Associated Press reported. (Full Story) 7-Eleven moving to franchise-only structure; bracing for Tesco, other foes While Tesco continues preparing for the opening of its stores in the U.S., 7-Eleven tries to become leaner and more nimble, according to a June 12 article by Maria Halkias in The Dallas Morning News. (Full Story) BP offering to sell 22 properties in South Florida BP Products North America Inc. is offering to sell 22 properties located in the South Florida metro area by sealed bid sale. BP has retained NRC Realty Advisors, LLC to coordinate the offering and sale, according to an announcement by NRC. (Full Story) NewGen extends APPCO deal; takes option for over 65 more locations NewGen Technologies, Inc. announced an agreement by both parties for an extension until June 16, 2007, to finalize financing for the purchase of Appalachian Oil Company. (Full Story) Rutter's store in York, Pa., to double in size Rutter's Farm Stores plans to double the size of its store on Route 30 at Pennsylvania Avenue in York, according to the York Daily Record. (Full Story) Trade groups: Replace rhetoric on 'hot fuel' with science and economics NATSO, the trade association representing truckstops and travel plazas, is asking Congress to thoroughly examine all aspects of automatic fuel temperature compensation before taking any action to address the issue. (Full Story) Philip Morris bid to try suit in U.S. court is blocked The Supreme Court ruled June 11 that a class-action lawsuit against Philip Morris, a unit of Altria Group Inc., should not be decided in federal court, handing a defeat to the tobacco company, according to Reuters. (Full Story) Philip Morris USA to introduce Marlboro Snus Philip Morris USA announced that the company is introducing into test market Marlboro Snus, a tobacco pouch product that is neither a cigarette nor spit tobacco like dip or chew. (Full Story) Expanding gasoline a heated issue at Congressional hearing Federal lawmakers took aim at oil companies and service station owners June 8, accusing them of cheating customers by ignoring fuel's tendency to expand with higher temperatures, according to an article by Elizabeth Douglass in the June 9 edition of The Los Angeles Times. (Full Story) Fabulous Freddy's set to open in Sandy, Utah, in '08 Fabulous Freddy's, a full-service fuel station, is scheduled to open in Sandy, Utah, in the first quarter of 2008, according to a June 8 article by Tammy Walquist in the Deseret Morning News. (Full Story) First E85 dispenser in East Tennessee unveiled at Pilot On June 6 a newly unveiled E85 dispenser at a Pilot gas station was being hailed as the first available to the public in East Tennessee, according to an article by Elizabeth Davis of the Associated Press. Pilot Corp. officials hope to add more E85 dispensers at other locations, according to the article. (Full Story) Fire guts Pilot Travel Center in California Fire gutted a Pilot Travel Center in Lenwood, Calif., and fire officials estimated the loss at $1 million, according to a June 7 article by Aaron Aupperlee in the Desert Dispatch. Barstow Fire Protection Division Chief Sal Corrao said the fire apparently started in a clothing dryer, provided for truckers to use, according to the article. (Full Story) Leaky valve seems to be cause of fatal explosion at Little General store The U.S. Chemical Safety Board announced June 7 that initial testing of the propane tank recovered after a West Virginia convenience store explosion reveals that the liquid withdrawal valve on the tank malfunctions and leaks and was the likely source of the large propane release that exploded, killing four people and injuring five others. (Full Story) PRODUCT OF THE WEEK Old World Introduces New Line of PEAK® Lubricants In recent years, the aftermarket lubricant world has seen tremendous change. From the consolidation of the majors in the mid to late 1990s to the global issues that have affected cost in the 2000s, today's lubricant market is as complex and challenging as it's ever been. Lost in this shifting marketplace has been the presence of a national value brand. The growth of regional private labels, and the growth of lower quality products sold solely on price, have both contributed to a "wild, wild west" type of environment for lubricant buyers. To fill the void for a top-quality, national, value-priced brand, Old World Industries is extremely excited to introduce its new line of PEAK Premium Motor Oils and Lubricants. As an industry leader in both the antifreeze and washer fluid categories, Old World recognized that lubricant buyers, installers, and their customers alike would welcome a motor oil which - while attractively priced - will deliver the trusted quality and performance that is synonymous with the PEAK brand name. Old World Industries www.peaklubricants.com CALENDAR OF EVENTS Georgia Association of Convenience Stores 2007 Convention Marriott Sawgrass Resort Ponte Vedra Beach, FL June 24-26 (770) 736-9723 www.gacs.com California Independent Oil Marketers Association 2007 California Petroleum Conference Sacramento, Calif. June 24-27 (916) 646-5980 www.cioma.com   PetrolWorld Asia Business Forum Singapore June 26-27 www.pwasia2007.com Georgia Oilmen's Association Sunbelt Petroleum Conference Birmingham, Ala. July 11-15 (334)272-3800 www.georgiaoilmensassoc.com   Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association Summer Conference Golden Arrow Hotel Lake Placid, NY July 15-17 (717) 902-0210 www.ppmcsa.org Oregon Petroleum Association (OPA) Annual Sunriver Conference Sunriver, Ore. July 15-18 www.opma.net   For a complete list of industry events, go to NPN's calendar web page.  Published By NPN Group |  © 2007 NPN Group | All Rights Reserved For more information on NPN MarketPulse, contact: Gary Bevers, group publisher M2MEDIA360 Retail Distribution Group Ph: 832-444-7675 Fax: 800-430-3446 Keith Reid, editor-in-chief M2MEDIA360 NPN Group Ph: 630-739-0280 Fax: 630-739-0321 This newsletter is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of M2MEDIA360.

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