Phillips 66 Buying Program Gains Momentum

HOUSTON -- In its first five months, Phillips 66's branded retailer buyer program, Convenience Store Alliance (CSA), registered growth in membership while expanding its vendor program offerings. The program launched in May.

The buying program is intended to provide independent convenience stores with vendor programs offering national account pricing, rebates and levels of service that chain stores currently enjoy. CSA also offers experienced convenience store consultants at no additional fee to provide hands-on support for members.

"We are extremely pleased with the positive response and participation levels we are seeing from our branded retailers," said Mike O'Connor, manager of programs and brand image for Phillips 66 Co. "They recognize that the increasingly competitive marketplace requires independent operators to take advantage of programs like this in order to remain viable going forward."

In August, CSA joined Phillips 66 on its New Energy Tour, which is visiting 22 cities in the central and western regions of the United States. "The tour has given CSA a great opportunity to show Phillips 66-branded dealers and marketers how we generate tremendous savings and develop more efficient operating practices for our members. It's great to see their level of excitement for our current assortment of programs," said Mike Lawson, CEO and founder of CSA.

CSA's goal is to provide a vendor program for every aspect of running a convenience store. National vendors across the country are expressing interest in joining the program. In September, CSA added three new vendor programs for members: Payment Alliance International, CAF Environmental Solutions and Profit Solutions Group.

"CSA's national grocery pricing is better than what I could get on my own. The analysis proved it," said Min Le of 76 Gas and Convenience in Gresham, Ore. "So, I joined for grocery and am now looking at the Fountain Freedom program that will allow me to save even more with CSA's national pricing on fountain syrup."

Programs offered by CSA have been negotiated with national vendors to provide cost reduction and operational improvement. For the western half of the United States, CSA is the Phillips 66-branded retailer buying program. Dealers outside the exclusive territories are also eligible to participate, regardless of brand affiliation.

Phillips 66 Co. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Phillips 66 and owns the Phillips 66, 76 and Conoco fuel brands. These fuels are sold at more than 7,000 retail fuel sites across the United States.