Friday December 14, 2007 FEATURES EIA explores question of the moment: Why are oil prices so high? Why oil prices are so high is a matter on the minds of many, especially the staff at the Energy Information Administration, the statistics branch of the U.S. Department of Energy. This month, in addition to its usual Short-Term Energy Outlook, the EIA published a supplemental report that details the reasons behind high oil prices. (On Nov. 28, the Associated Press reported that light, sweet crude for January delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 33 cents to $94.75 a barrel in electronic trading in Europe.) (Full Story) Consultant: Keys to cigar success are competitive mix and lower prices "Retailers focused on offering a competitive assortment and lower prices on cigar packs are growing faster than the market," said David Bishop, partner with consulting firm Willard Bishop, Barrington, Ill. Retailers who manage the cigar category more strategically benefit from accelerated growth and a larger share of the market, according to Bishop, who hosted a recent Webinar, "Cigars: Accelerating Category Profits by Increasing Strategic Focus," sponsored by John Middleton, Inc., the cigar maker. (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! Order your copy of the 2007 NPN MarketFacts today for the introductory price of only $195 (plus shipping and handling). To order your print copy and/or CD version of the 2007 NPN MarketFacts edition, please click here NEWS ITEMS RedPrairie unveils food service software for petro and c-store operators RedPrairie Corp., Milwaukee, Wis., on Dec. 12 introduced a food service management solution for petroleum and convenience stores. (Full Story) Altria completes acquisition of cigar maker John Middleton Altria Group, Inc. announced Dec. 11 that, having received regulatory clearance, it completed the acquisition of John Middleton, Inc., a leading manufacturer of machine-made large cigars, from privately held Bradford Holdings, Inc. (Full Story) 7-Eleven tops Entrepreneur magazine's 'Annual Franchise 500' 7-Eleven, Subway and Dunkin' Donuts, in that order, led Entrepreneur magazine's annual rankings. (Full Story) Greg King resigns as president of Valero Energy Corporation Valero Energy Corporation announced Dec. 11 that Greg King has decided to resign as president of Valero Energy Corporation and to leave the company effective December 31. (Full Story) Debit card data skimmed from gas station in California Police in El Monte, Calif., are searching for the suspect, or suspects, who managed to skim valuable debit card information from scores of unsuspecting gas station customers, according to a Dec. 12 report by Rob Hayes of KABC-TV. (Full Story) EIA: average retail gasoline price at $3 a gallon The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline fell for the fourth consecutive week, dropping 6.1 cents to settle at 300.0 cents per gallon as of December 10, 2007, 70.7 cents above a year ago, according to the Dec. 12 issue of "This Week in Petroleum," published by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). (Full Story) In Arizona: station owners may be required to trap gasoline vapors In an effort to reduce air pollution, Pima County in Arizona may require gas stations to install equipment that traps gasoline vapors, according to a Dec. 11 article by Erica Meltzer in the Arizona Daily Star. (Full Story) Hess to feature self-service Dunkin' Donuts in its convenience stores Hess Corp. on Dec. 7 announced an exclusive agreement with Dunkin' Donuts to offer coffee, hot chocolate and donuts in a new self-service presentation in many of Hess' gas-convenience locations. (Full Story) Speedway SuperAmerica taps March Networks for business software March Networks, a provider of intelligent IP video and business analysis applications, announced Dec. (Full Story) Motiva celebrates groundbreaking for largest refinery in United States Motiva Enterprises LLC announced Dec. 10 that it would officially break ground that day for its 325,000 barrel-per-day (b/d) refinery expansion in Port Arthur, Texas. (Full Story) A boost for E85 from Oak Ridge National Laboratory One obstacle to increased use of E85 will fall when Underwriters Laboratories (UL) begins certifying fuel dispensers, said Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). (Full Story) Chevron launches Web site: ChevronwithTechron.com Chevron Global Marketing on Dec. 11 announced the launch of its new retail Web site, ChevronwithTechron.com. (Full Story) Ice storms: Gage County, Nebraska, is one of the hard-hit places As many as 60 percent of Gage County, Nebraska, residents spent Dec. 11 without electricity, reported TheOmahaChannel.com. In Wymore, Casey's General Store couldn't serve regulars a cup of coffee or sell them a tank of gas. (Full Story) Rutter's delivers 'green' message to fifth-graders, donates $100,000 Scott Hartman, president of Rutter's Farm Stores, brought "green" with him in the form of a $100,000 donation to Junior Achievement of South Central, Pa. (Full Story) PRODUCT OF THE WEEK New TCS Piston Flow Meter Total Control Systems introduces a lighter and more compact design for the 682 piston flow meter. This proven design will maintain a 0.1% linear accuracy over a 250:1 turndown, 0.2 to 50 GPM. Now available in Aluminum or Ductile Iron, with 1" or 11/2" sizes. The 682 piston flow meter is a perfect fit for high flow dispensers or other low volume bulk custody transfer applications. Backed by our industry leading 10 Year Warranty. Total Control Systems www.tcsmeters.com CALENDAR OF EVENTS ASD/AMD New York Variety Merchandise Show Javits Center, New York January 13-15 Contact: Melissa Younkin Marketing Manager 310-481-7325 SIGMA Winter Leadership Meeting Salt Lake City, UT February 7-8 (703) 709-7007 www.sigma.org   SIGMA Winter Management Conference Snowbird, UT The Cliff Lodge February 10-13 (703) 709-7007 www.sigma.org WPMA Convention The Mirage Las Vegas, NV February 19-21 (801) 263-9762 www.wpma.com   American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA) REAL DEAL EXPO Las Vegas Hilton Center Las Vegas, Nevada February 20-22 Contact: (703) 208-3358 ASD/AMD Trade Shows Las Vegas Sands Expo Center, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Mirage Events Center & Grand Ballroom Las Vegas, NV March 2-5 Contact: Melissa Younkin Marketing Manager 310-481-7325   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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