Grocers And Service Station Dealers Ask Congress To .

Spartan to sell 12 Pharm stores to RiteAidSpartan Stores has reached anagreement to sell 12 of its The Phanndrug stores to Rite Aid. and it is innegotiations to sell two remaininglocations, in a move that would exitSpartan from the stand-alone drug storebusiness. Spartan has 13 The Pharmlocations in Ohio and one in Michigan.RiteAid is expected to pay 12.8million in cash, plus the value ofinventory, for certain assets of the 12locations, in a deal that is set to closewithin the next two months. The 14stores generated annual sales of around 125 million, Spartan said.Last fall, Spartan closed five money losing Pharm locations. “The Pharmstores have been a good business forSpartan Stores and it is staffed withhard working and dedicated associates,making this divestiture transaction amore difficult decision,’' said CraigSturken, chief executive officer ofSpartan Stores. “Divesting these stores,however, will allow us to concentrateefforts and resources on businessopportunities with the best long-termgrowth potential and focus more onour core distribution and conventionalsupermarket operations.’1CalendarJune 11.2008Ohio AFPD Annual Trade ShowCleveland, OHContact: Cathy Willson1-800-666-6233July 16, 2008AFPD Foundation Golf OutingFox Hills, Plymouth, MlContact: Michele MacWilliams1-800-666-6233July 24, 2008GetQuenched!AbsopureNatural Spring WaterIs AvailableIn Just The Right SizeFor People On the Go!AFPD/Liberty USA Golf OutingWeymouth Golf Club, Medina, OHContact: Tony Deluca1-800-666-6233e is.National Candy MonthNational Dairy MonthNational Hunger Awareness MonthNational Iced Tea MonthNational Papaya MonthNational Seafood MonthNational Soul Food MonthTurkey Lovers’ MonthStatem ent o f OwnershipThe AFPD Food & Petroleum ReportN a tu ra lly clean, n a tu ra lly c lear A bsopure.A v aila b le at fin e stores e v e ry w h e re .AbsopureTastes Great Because ItComes From OurOwn Natural Source InPristine Southern Michigan!(USPS 082-970; ISSN 0894-3567)is published monthly by MetroMedia Associates, Inc. (MMA) forthe Associated Food & PetroleumDealers (AFPD) at 30415 W. 13Mile, Farmington Hills, Ml 48334.Material contained within The AFPDFood & Petroleum Report maynot be reproduced without writtenpermission from AFPD.The opinions expressed in thismagazine are not necessarilythose of MMA or AFPD, its Boardof Directors, staff members orconsultants. Bylined articles reflectthe opinions of the writer.POSTMASTER: Send addresschanges to AFPD, 30415 W. 13 Mile,Farmington Hills, Ml 48334.ADVERTISERS: For information onadvertising rates and data, contactAFPD, Anthony Kalogeridis, 30415W. 13 Mile, Farmington Hills, Ml48334, (800) 666-6233.AFPD works closely with thefollow ing associations:IF D AINTERNATIONAL FOODSERVICEDISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATIONmF IA E4 I AFPD Food & PetroleumREPORT & § NQ4

CDP e t : r o le i u IT l l N e v V S '8 H / i/sInformation of Interest to Petroleum Retailers, and Allied TradesGranholm steps uppump inspectionsMichigan Governor JenniferM. Granholm and MichiganDepartment of Agriculture(MDA) director Don Koivistooutlined what they said are theirefforts “to protect consum ers'pocket books at the pump asunleaded gas prices climb towardthe 4 mark.”The governor said, “To furtherprotect Michigan citizens, theMDA has re-directed employeesin order to step up the state'sinspection efforts. Given the risingcost of fuel. Michigan’s motorfuels inspectors will continueto be on the front line ensuringthat consumers are getting everypenny’s worth at the pump.”She said that while most gasstation operators attempt todeliver the proper quality andquantity of fuel, motorists canhelp increase their protectionby making sure that the pricedisplay on the pump is set tozero before the pump starts andby verifying that the sign on theroadway matches the price on thepump before fueling. In addition,consum ers should always requesta receipt as a record of theirpurchase, she said.In addition, Granholm said sherecognized the need to provide thesame protection to the truckingindustry. “With record high prices,ensuring accuracy at the dieselpump provides a direct benefit toevery consumer.” she said.Recently, Granholm providedtestimony before the congressionalOversight & Investigationssubcommittee and asked membersto repeal unnecessary federaltax subsidies and ensure pricecompetition of unbranded gasoline.Also. Granholm. along with 20 otherstate governors, called on PresidentBush to urge oil companies to investprofits in fixing current refinerycapacity issues.Are you “chronically late?”Suggestions to break the cycleBy Ed WeglarzAFPD Executive Vice President of PetroleumChronic lateness is creatingunnecessary friction within relationshipsand careers! If you're chronically late,here is some advice to break the habit:Tell tim e hon estly - People who arelate underestimate the time it takes todo things by 20 to 25 percent. They onlyremember the day they sailed to workin 15 minutes, not the days when therewas traffic or weather. List your routinetasks and how long they take for oneweek. Then budget the amount o f time ittook on the slowest occasion.Plan to be early - A schedule designed to get you where you need to be “just on time" willresult in tardiness whenever the slightest thing goes wrong. Aim to arrive 10 minutes early;you can always do some paperwork or catch up on reading if you are actually early.Free up your morning - Don't leave everything for the morning. Shift as many tasks aspossible to the night before. Pack your attache, locate your keys, lay out your clothes, andlist the first couple things you need to accomplish the next day, all before going to bed.Include time estimates on your "to-do list" - Block out time for each task to get a better ideaof what you can accomplish in one day. Then rank each task in the order of priority so thatEPA set to revamp tankregulationsrhe Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) plans to re-examineits underground tank regulationsand may update them. The processbegan in April, when the agency met ith marketers and other groups.Current tank regulations havebeen in effect for 20 years without asignificant change. The rules require new lanks that are installed tohave spill and overfill protectiondevices and tank leak detectionsteps, among other things. Tankowners must also monitor inventoryand run tightness tests.EPA has repeatedly expressedc ncem over the quality andeffectiveness of current equipment.After inspections revealedyou know what to pursue next as your day unfolds.Perfection - forget about it! Perfectionists often times find it difficult to move on to a newtask until a current project is completed perfectly, often leaving them far behind schedule.Ninety-five percent correct and on time tends to be better than 100% correct and late!A d d ictio n to deadline pressure Some people are drawn to the adrenaline rushimproperly functioning cathodicprotection systems and tank liningsthat pulled away from inside tankwalls, the EPA is also concernedabout the effectiveness of two of themost popular corrosion protectionmethods.According to the PetroleumMarketers Association of America,both technologies have been proveneffective. However, improperinstallation by inexperiencedvendors has caused problems forsome tank owners. The publicationOil Express says that there has longbeen concern that the EPA wouldone day mandate the installation ofdouble-walled tanks.created by looming deadlines and have motivation difficulty without that pressure. Theyoften develop that “just in time" mentality, tackling tasks only at the last moment. To getout of that rut, you have to practice every day. Make a list. Each morning for one month,write down three tasks that you will do ahead of time that day and then do them. Forexample fill your gas tank before the warning light comes on.turn in a report a dayearly .pay bills as soon as they arrive. Completing tasks early will become a habit, andyou'll find that life is more enjoyable without the constant deadline pressure.Dealing with others' tardinessDon't get frustrated if you live or work with people who are always late.It is n 't personal - Punctual people think they are being taken for granted, but latepeople don't lack respect for you.they lack the ability to control their own time!Explain - don't complain - Venting pent-up anger and frustration adds to the friction.Instead, explain how the tardiness makes you feel.anxious and disrespected, perhaps.Take some stress out of your life. Try this regimen, no matter what side of the issue fitsyour style.June 2008 I 5

PetroleumNEWSToledo convenience storepermit ruling prompts lawsuitToledo license law headed to courtToledo co nvenience-storeow ners are challenging the city 'slaw requiring those businesses tobe licensed for 250 a year, installsecurity cam eras, and turn oversurveillance video to police.A ccording to the Toledo Blade,Scott C iolek o f the T oledo lawfirm C iolek & W icklund said thelaw is unconstitutional and willforce some stores out o f business.In Decem ber, the Toledo CityCouncil approved the newrequirem ent for conveniencestore licensing. The law, whichtakes effect May 1. requires storeow ners to have security cam erasand im poses a 100/day fine —down from a previously suggested 200-a-day fine —for stores thatdo not follow rules that dictateplacem ent and how many tim es avideotape can be recorded over.Council President MarkSobczak has declined to com m entspecifically on the law suit, butsaid that the ordinance wasm odeled after a sim ilar law inM inneapolis.However, Ciolek said thelaw will hold business ownersaccountable for problem s theyhave little control over, suchas drug-dealing, gam blingand prostitution. He saidthe requirem ent to turn oversurveillance video w ithin eighthours is an unreasonable searchand seizure.Previously. AFPD had askedToledo City Council m em bersto provide factual evidence thatsuch social and crim e problem sare the result of convenience storeoperations in Toledo.“ City officials should not bequick to cast blam e for generalsocial problem s on our businessow ners without actual support orestablishing a sound relationshipthat such businesses cause suchsocial ills,” wrote AFPD PresidentJane Shallal in a letter to theToledo City Council.“ Your council should study theissues surrounding conveniencestores. Alcoholism , drug abuseand crimes are not the result ofconvenience store operations, buthave roots in other causes, i.e.unem ploym ent, lack of an adequateeducation system, and lack ofadequate drug prevention efforts inthe community,” she added.AFPD asked the councilto respond to the request to"dem onstrate a factual relationshipbetween the social ills which youindicate exist in your city and ourm em bers' businesses.”AFPD will continue to m onitorthis developing story.Mr. Clean wants to shineyour carCINCINNATI The familiar baldheaded icon of Procter & Gamble’sMr. Clean brand may soon be using hismuscle to polish consumers' autos inthe region, according to an article onCSNews Online.Mr. Clean Performance Carwashesare undergoing testing in twoaffluent Cincinnati suburbs, and sofar, both locations have exceededinitial sales projections, according toSusan Baba, company spokesperson.6 I AFPD Food & PetroleumREPORTThe 2 100-square-foot locationsalso offer a small conveniencestore and a lounge with flat screentelevisions, public Internet accessand fun areas to keep kids busy,according to CSNews Online. Thecompany plans to build five toseven more car washes in Dayton,Cincinnati, and northern Kentucky,each creating about 50 full-timeand part-time job opportunities.Ohio liquor stings in full swingMANSFIELD - An underageliquor sting nabbed employees at 10liquor permit retail stores for sellingalcohol to underage buyers duringan enforcement sting conductedApril 14 throughout RichlandCounty.Managed by the members of theMETR1CH Enforcement Unit, the"Underage Alcohol ComplianceOperation" utilized young buyersunder the age of 21 who tried topurchase alcoholic beverages at 78retail stores. Citations were issued toclerks who did not take appropriatemeasures to confirm a buyer's age.The employees cited must appear ineither Mansfield or Shelby MunicipalCourt, and the cases also will bepresented to the Ohio InvestigativeUnit for possible citations of theliquor permit holder.The county's METRICHEnforcement Unit consists of arealaw enforcement agencies and staffmembers from Community Action forCapable Youth.AFPD reminds all retailers tostrictly enforce age verification ruleswith their employees.Shoppers bundle errands to saveConvenience stores attached togas stations have seen a bumpin sales as consum ers spendmore per trip in order to saveon gas. "People are looking tobundle shopping experienceswhen gas prices are going up,”said Jeff Lenard, vice presidentfor com m unications of NationalAssociation of Convenience Stores(NACS). Lenard said some NACSmembers have reported increasedgrocery sales in recent weeks anddeclining sales of gas.UNDERGROUND STORAGETANK INSURANCE OF OHIO210 Bell Street ’ Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 Phone 440-247-3750 Fax 440-247-37201 -8 0 0 -5 5 8 -U S T I (8 7 8 4 )PUSTR FUND DEDUCTIBLE COVERAGEFOR OHIO UST OWNERSO H IO J K Y .YA FP D M E M B E R S SAVE MON EY!!BE PR EPA R ED FOR TH E O H IO U S T C O M P LIA N C E PERIOD) ,Y ,Y JULY 1, 2008 JY AFPD has m ade it s im p le to g e t in to p ro p e r c o m p lia n c e fo r y o u r O hioUST fin a n c ia l re s p o n s ib ility (ta n k d e d u c tib le s ). D o n’t w o rry a b o u t havingp re v io u s ly file d in c o rre c tly w ith s e lf-in s u ra n c e , w h ic h can open up somes e rio u s p ro b le m s a fte r a release. You c o u ld be to ta lly e x clu d e d from theO h io State fu n d . You c o u ld a ls o fre e up y o u r cash o r c re d it lines. Takeadva ntag e o f o u r in e x p e n s iv e , fu lly in s u re d coverage . V is it o u r w e bsite atw w w .u s tio h io .c o m fo r m ore in fo rm a tio n .BUSTR IS INSPECTING ALL SITES. BY FEPERAL REGULATION, ALL TANKS MUST BEINSPECTED EVERY 3 YEARS. IF YOU ARE FOUND TO BE OUT OF COMPLIANCE, BUSTR WILLFINE YOU AND REQUIRE THAT YOU TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. SOON YOU WILL ALSOHAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FUEL DELIVERY PROHIBITION RULE FROM BUSTR.CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION.USTI/Lyndall has saved many AFPD members thousands of dollars and you couldbe one of them. Combine all vour store insurance coverages, including liquorliability, into our package program and you could save big, even on your USTdeductibles. You will have zero out-of-pocket for UST releases.WE HAVE THE BEST PRICES FOR THE MOST COMPREHENSIVECOVERAGES AVAILABLE IN A COMPLETE PACKAGE.Insurance underwritten by Motorist Mutual Insurance Company provided by Lyndall Associates. 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AFPD Ohio Regional Meeting proved educational, informativenegotiations, the board agreed to lowerthe 2008 program to 85%. rather thanthe 65% originally proposed.Guest speaker was Bob Barbero ofLyndall Associates, Inc., who spokeabout the rules and regulationsregarding underground storage tanksand business liability insurance.After the meeting, retail andassociate members took theopportunity to network with eachother and learn more about theBy Ron MilbumAFPD Vice PresidentThe Associated Food & PetroleumDealers conducted a very successfulRegional Membership Meetingon April 15th in Worthington,Ohio. The meeting was wellunended by both retail membersand associate members. The maintopic of discussion centered on theCommercial Activity Tax (CAT) andhow it is impacting the profitabilityof independent gasoline retailers.AFPD also reported on its recenttrip to Washington D. C. to fightrising credit card fees. AFPDmet with members o f Congressduring that trip to explain to them,first hand, the exorbitant feesthat a retailer pays to credit cardcompanies on a gallon of gas andgeneral store merchandise.AFPD is pleased to announcethat Congressman Patrick Tiberi,Ohio District 12, has become a co sponsor of H R, 5546, a bill thatwill control the way credit cardcompanies levy their fees./\ftito L a yAnother major topic was AFPD’sWorker's Compensation Group RatedProgram. AFPD President JaneShallal, along with other businessleaders, recently provided testimony tothe new board of directors of the OhioBureau of Worker’s Compensation. Asa result, AFPD was able to maintainthe group rated 2008 savings. Thenew board was attempting to lower thegroup rate from 90% for 2008 to 65%.Had this passed, AFPD membersenrolled in the program would havereceived a 300% increase in worker’scompensation payments. Throughadvantages o f A FPD ’s endorsedprogram s. Com panies representedincluded: Frank Gates Company(now called Avizent), LibertyUSA. G illigan Oil, Car WashTechnologies, Dresser Wayneof Colum bus and Cleveland,H. M eyer Dairy, Central OhioPetroleum M arketers, SuperiorPetroleum Equipment, and RealLiving Business and CommercialPartnership.The attentive crowd at the AFPD Ohio Regional Meeting.Category dominance C ity S o lu tio n s Jf o r g ro w th *Narrars Party Store @ 5 mile and Burt—V Come see for yourself!X.Contact Tom Hesslau fo r more details—S17 -8 19 -48 80June 2008 I 7

Consumers adjustspending on mealsWith food pnces increasing at the fastestmanage their spending on food is topace in 17 yeais and gas prices soaring,change where they get meals and snacksa new study from The NPD Group findsIn past economic downturns, they haveconsumers looking for value, makingturned more to supermarkets and mealstrade-offs and counting on leftovers whenat home and pulled back on going toplanning their meals.restaurants. Last year, 80 percent of mealsThe NPD report - How Do EconomicallyChallenging Times Affect In-Home MealStrategies? - found one-thind of adultsfeeling their financial situation is worse thisand snacks were consumed at-home vs.20 percent at restaurants, and according toanother recent NPD study, the restaurantindustry posted no growth in 2007.year than last and the most concerned are"Despite rising grocery prices, in-home mealsthose with larger families. Among thesestill provide a better value to consumers," saidfinancially concerned" adults, more thanAmie Schwartz, who heads up NPD Group'shalf said they are trying to prepare meals atfood and beverage unit. "One estimate showshome, to use up leftovers, and to stock upthat an in-home meal costs about a third of awhen items are on sale.meal purchased away from home.""American consumers now spend about 10An added longer-term factor fueling thepercent of their disposal income on food andincrease in in-home meals is a leveling off ofhave not, historically, allowed food expenseswomen entering the workforce. "One of theto rise faster than their disposable income,"pillars of change affecting the way peoplesaid Harry Balzer, NPD vice president.eat over the last five decades has been the“Consumers will likely shift behaviors to findincrease of women in the workforce," saidfood solutions that meet a budget beforeBalzer. "We haven't seen those increasesspending more on the same foods."in women working recently and that too isAnother strategy consumers use toinfluencing the choice of where people eat."- Progressive GrocerSC A D A SYSTEM S SECU RITY is your trusted partner in Digital Video Surveillance.O ur specialists provide the right solution for your businesses security needs.After listening to your needs, we will provide you with a FREE custom quote thatlies within your budget. O ur goal is to make purchasing a security system easy!O ur professional advice and support make the difference.O ne source for reliable, proven, and unmatched personalized service.rGrocers sour on grapepackaging rulesUSDA officials are proposingrule changes that would allow anincrease in the num ber o f loosegra

Weymouth Golf Club, Medina, OH Contact: Tony Deluca 1-800-666-6233 e is. National Candy Month National Hunger Awareness Month National Iced Tea Month National Papaya Month National Seafood Month National Soul Food Month Turkey Lovers’ Month Statement of Ownership The AFPD F