Independent convenience store operators face increasing pressure—from managing inventory and pricing to competing with large chain stores—all while delivering great customer service. To better understand how technology can ease that burden, we spoke with Alvin Prasla, Director of Sales, and Shahzeb Khowaja, Sales Executive, for CStore Essentials (CSE). Together, they shared best practices for operational efficiency and explained how the right tools can help independents thrive.
Q: How are independent operators doing in today’s market, and how is CSE helping them operate more efficiently?
Alvin: A lot of independent operators are still relying on pen and paper, especially when it comes to back-office tasks. That’s where we come in. Our solutions help operators move away from manual processes and into a digital environment. With our mobile app, you can change prices, update products, and manage promotions remotely. That means less time worrying about back-end work and more time focusing on customers and sales.
Shahzeb: Many operators are essentially running a one-person show. Even if they have employees, staffing is tight, and owners are often juggling multiple responsibilities or locations. Our goal is to give them a single solution where they can manage inventory, pricing, and reporting in real time. It reduces stress and helps them stay in control of their business.
Q: What specific solutions will make the biggest impact?
Alvin: One big area is lottery management. Instead of writing numbers down manually, operators can scan tickets directly into the system. This gives them a clear view of how many tickets are being sold each day and eliminates a lot of human error. Another key solution is fuel delivery tracking. Operators can enter fuel deliveries and costs into the system. From there, the platform generates a full profit-and-loss view. It helps them understand exactly how their site is performing.
Shahzeb: One of my favorite features is remote price management. Operators can update prices automatically with a single click. They don’t need to be onsite or physically near the computer. They can make updates from anywhere.
Q: How do these tools help operators grow their business?
Alvin: Time is the biggest benefit. When operators aren’t tied up with manual tasks, they can focus on growth—whether that’s improving customer service, adding new sites, or expanding their product offerings. Our tools give them flexibility to scale without adding unnecessary complexity. Another major advantage is loyalty programs. Through CStore Essentials, operators can offer loyalty features that drive more traffic. Not many independent sites have loyalty programs today, but customers are actively looking for them. Loyalty helps bring in repeat customers and increases overall revenue.
“Our solutions help operators move away from manual processes and into a digital environment.”
Q: What is one essential practice every independent operator should focus on?
Alvin: At the end of the day, customer experience matters most. When someone walks into a store, they notice if it’s clean, inviting, and well-run. Having friendly staff and a welcoming environment goes a long way. A strong back office supports that by taking care of back-end tasks, so operators can stay focused on the customer.
Shahzeb: I’d add that better management practices, especially around inventory and sales tracking, are critical. When operators know what’s selling and what’s not, they can make smarter decisions and improve their margins.
Q: How can independent operators compete more effectively with larger chain stores?
Shahzeb: Independent operators win through their personal, neighborhood approach. Being locally owned builds stronger relationships and keeps more spending in the community. In fact, independent retailers can have a greater impact on the local economy than chain stores. That community connection and direct communication give independents an advantage.
Alvin: From an operational standpoint, I always recommend starting with inventory tracking, especially for high-cost items like cigarettes and beer where small inefficiencies add up quickly. Pairing strong inventory control with tools like Skupos Engage also helps smaller retailers access the same promotional opportunities as large chains, which can drive immediate improvements in profitability and competitiveness.
Q: What strategies can help operators increase efficiency in the coming years?
Alvin: Tracking sales and inventory is foundational. You don’t have to start with the entire store. Focus on your most expensive or fastest-moving items first. When inventory is accurate, margins improve naturally.
Shahzeb: Foodservice is another big opportunity. Many operators aren’t fully leveraging food, but it’s a powerful traffic driver. Offering items like sandwiches, deli options, or fresh food encourages customers to come in more often—and once they’re inside, they’re more likely to purchase additional items.
“When operators can clearly show performance through reporting, it strengthens their relationship with brands.”
Q: How do brand partnerships create value for independent operators?
Alvin: Brand partnerships help level the playing field for independent operators by making it easier to run compelling, brand-funded promotions. With tools like CStore Essentials and Skupos Engage, operators can quickly activate offers from leading brands without adding extra work, which helps drive traffic and sales. It ends up being a win for the operator, the brand, and the consumer.
Shahzeb: These partnerships also rely heavily on data. When operators can clearly show performance through reporting, it strengthens their relationship with brands and opens the door to more opportunities.
Q: How can independent operators better leverage data?
Shahzeb: Our CStore Essentials portal brings all reporting into one place. Operators can view guest data, inventory reports, and sales performance without jumping between systems. We’re also working on enhancements that will allow multi-store operators to see consolidated reports across all locations, which will improve decision making.
Alvin: Data is only valuable if it’s accessible and actionable. When operators can quickly understand how their business is performing, they can adapt faster. That’s a huge advantage in today’s market.
Stay on top of the latest independent trends
The PDI 2026 Independent Operator Success Guide explores more real-world insights and expert strategies.
Looking for a simpler way to run your store—and stay competitive?
CStore Essentials streamlines day-to-day operations, and Skupos Engage makes it easy to activate loyalty and brand-funded promotions without more work.