2008 - Greater Houston Retailers Cooperative Association, Inc.

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Here are some measures you can take to prepare for the ongoing slowdown: 1. Reduce personal expenses by cutting back on unnecessary expenditures, such as on entertainment and avoid extravagant living. 2. Keep liquid savings of at least six to twelve months of living expenses. This can be achieved by setting aside a small percentage of your monthly income in a savings account. 3. Be proactive, not reactive. For instance, if you have trouble meeting mortgage or credit card payments, contact the bank immediately. 4. Evaluate what financial risks the downturn poses for you, determine in advance how you will tackle them, and act according to your plan if problems arise be they job losses, sharp increases in debt payments or large declines in business revenues or stock market investments. 5. Those of you who are in jobs should make yourselves invaluable at work. Be willing to take on extra tasks and complete projects on time. Keep your resume and your list of contacts up to date at all times. Network with those who are in the same profession to learn about what opportunities are available. If you are laid off, file immediately for unemployment benefits. 6. Use both formal and informal alliances as a strategy to manage the downturn. For example, existing alliances such as trade associations can be leveraged to jointly negotiate with vendors to cut inventory costs. Additionally, employers can collaborate with their employees to come up with ways to help improve sales and save costs. Finally, reach out to the EPB for advice and guidance. We have professionals who can evaluate your situation and help you identify solutions. Contact the EPB help desk or council corner for information. Remember, slowdowns always open up opportunities for those well positioned. Therefore, prepare yourselves to be in a strong financial condition so that you can benefit from the opportunities when they arise and from the upturn when it comes. TABC Corner Inspections by TABC Personnel By: Stephen Jaffe From time to time a TABC Agent or TABC Auditor may visit your establishment for the purpose of conducting a routine inspection. This does not mean your personnel have committed any violations or TABC has received complaints against your establishment. These visits are normally made to help the establishment comply with the TABC Code and to provide assistance. One of the items we check for is the display of the alcoholic beverage permit or license as required by TABC Code Sec. 11.04. The permit or license should be prominently displayed. Most permittees and licensees display the permits and licenses on a wall near the cashier’s area. This would tell the general public and most specifically law enforcement personnel that the establishment does have a license or permit to sell alcoholic beverages. There are several different signs the TABC Code requires permittees and licensees to prominently display in their establishments. They are: can be easily seen by the public. Near the front door or cash register is usually the best location. Weapons Signs – Section 11.041 requires these signs. These signs are blue and white. They are meant to notify someone if they are carrying a weapon illegally (i.e. handgun without a license to carry); they could be arrested if law enforcement personnel catch them. The blue and white signs are required for licensees and permittees whose alcoholic beverage sales are less than 50 % of gross sales. These signs are available in English and Spanish. Health Risks Warning Sign – Section 11.042 requires this sign to be posted on each restroom door. These signs inform the public of the risks of consuming alcoholic beverages during pregnancy. Previously, all on premises establishments had received blue and white warning signs (stickers), which were to be posted in each restroom. These stickers have been replaced by a new sign, which is larger and is in black and red lettering. The signs contain the English and Spanish translation. As noted, the signs should be posted on the restroom doors. All of these signs are meant to inform the public about health and safety issues. They are available at no charge and may be obtained at the local TABC office. Should you have any questions, please contact The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission at (713) 426-7900. NATA NEWS HOUSTON, TX: OCTOBER 2008 NACS Show 2008 was held in Chicago, IL from 4 th to 7 th October 2008. In total about 62 Directors/Members from different Trade Associations attended the Show. All these members were offered Complaint Sign - Section 5.53 and Rule 7. Do not rush into new commitments. 31.4 require this sign. The sign is posted Be conservative in your approach. to inform the public of their right to discounted registration passes by NACS Seek professional advice, ensure complain about the sale of alcoholic management. NATA Marketing & proper contractual compliance and beverages at the establishment. This Promotions Committee members met always be principled in all your sign is black and white and with many vendors. All these attendees business dealings. approximately 6 inches by 3-1/2 inches were invited to dinners by Midwest and should be place in an area where it Business Alliance, PepsiCo, Frito Lay on The content of article only express views of individual authors and not necessarily the views and opinions of GHRA and its representatives. 6
different evenings. By attending this Show, the members developed network amongst them, attended various relevant seminars and workshops to the industry and became abreast with new products and services. NATA is pleased to inform all members that Mr. Aziz Khoja has joined NATA as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mr. Khoja brings with him vast experience of working in c-store industries and will take NATA to its next height. Gasoline Theft at Convenience Stores When gas prices increase, many gasoline retailers report an increase in gasoline theft, or "drive-offs." While most retailers now require prepay, gasoline theft is still a $100 million-plus problem. per gallon profit (at best), a retailer would need to sell an extra 3,000 gallons to offset each $60 stolen. • Gasoline theft tends to be a problem in densely populated metropolitan areas and near interstates where there's a greater anonymity; in these areas, retailers have reported losses as much as $1,500 per store per month. At stores in communities, where everyone tends to know each other, the problem generally is not as significant. • Gasoline theft is not a "Robin Hood" crime of robbing the rich -- retailers typically make pennies a gallon on the sale of gasoline. In fact, they can often make as much, or more, from the sale of a 12 oz. cup of coffee than a 12 gallon fill-up. • The increase in gasoline theft is directly related to price increases, as opposed to high prices. Theft generally increases every time prices increase. We are also proud to report about the appointment of Mr. Karim W. Dhukani, the ex President of Greater • Gasoline price volatility Houston Retailers Cooperative traditionally leads to a significant Association (G H R A) as one of the increase in gasoline theft, brought Board of Directors of National on by misdirected consumer anger at Association of Convenience Stores. Mr. higher prices. However, more Dhukani will be serving on the NACS retailers now require prepay to stop Member Services Board Committee the problem that had gotten out of control. Given below is the extract of the Press • Nationwide, in 2007, gasoline theft Release issued by NACS: cost the industry $134 million, a sharp decline from the $300 million The profile of a typical gasoline “NACS announced the election of four reported in 2005 and the $237 retail members to serve on its Board of million reported in 2004. (Theft thief has evolved. Directors. The new Board members totalled $122 million in 2006.) The assumed their positions during the average loss per store was slightly • Typically, convenience stores can NACS Board of Directors meeting on more than $1,000, and that figure is experience a few gasoline thefts a October 7 during the NACS Show in conservative, since it is based on all week; however, when prices Chicago. The NACS Show is ranked one convenience stores that sell increase, some stores see several gas of the 50 largest annual tradeshows in gasoline, including those in states thefts a day. With retailers making a the United States. that mandate full-serve (New Jersey penny or two profit on the sale of and Oregon) and stores in areas gasoline, a retailer needs to sell where prepay in the norm, such as thousands of additional gallons of The NACS retail members elected to serve on the Board of Directors are: California and many major gasoline just to make up for the loss. metropolitan areas including New Oftentimes, it only takes one $50 York, Las Vegas, Chicago and theft a day to significantly erode -- • Brad Call, executive of marketing, Atlanta. There is no way to or wipe out -- a retailer's daily Maverik Inc. (North Salt Lake, UT) determine what the loss was at gasoline profits. • Karim Dhukani, President and stores that do not require prepay, but • Gasoline theft has always been an CEO,W&J Investments Inc. (Spring, the figure is likely double that or issue for the industry, and was often TX) more. teenagers taking a few dollars of • Fran Duskiewicz, senior executive • The problem of gasoline theft would gasoline for a thrill. Today, the vice president, Nice N Easy Grocery have been even greater since problem of theft is across all Shoppes Inc. (Canastota, NY) September 2005 if so many retailers demographics, and the cars involved • Warren Wilmot, CEO, 7-Eleven hadn't begun to mandate prepay in with the crime are everything from Stores Pty. Ltd. (Mt. Waverly, after Hurricane Katrina when "junkers" to late-model SUVs. Victoria, Australia) “ gasoline prices reached record levels • Just as the frequency of gasoline of $3.06 per gallon, and when theft increases, so does the size of The Executive Committee and Board of gasoline prices again topped $3 per the fill-up stolen. And with higher Directors of NATA extend their heartiest gallon in every year since then. prices, the amount lost from just one congratulations to Mr. Karim Dhukani • With convenience stores reporting gasoline theft can easily top $100 and wish him every success in his future total motor fuels sales of $408.9 when an SUV in involved. endeavors. billion in 2007, that means that, on • A disturbing trend over the past few average, one in every 3,300 fill-ups years is the emergence of gasoline was gasoline theft. While this is not theft rings, in which specially a "conga line" of theft, at two cents designed trucks are used to siphon fuel from stations' underground The content of article only express views of individual authors and not necessarily the views and opinions of GHRA and its representatives. 7
Page 1 and 2: Greater Houston Retailers Cooperati
Page 3 and 4: Opportunities in the Coffee Industr
Page 5: • Real Estate Deeds • Informati
Page 9 and 10: Coffee Corner An industry update pr
Page 11 and 12: The following is a paid advertiseme

2008 - Greater Houston Retailers Cooperative Association, Inc.

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