Kwik Shop , Dillons Launch New Joint Project

NEWTON, Kan. -- Kwik Shop and Dillons are taking their partnership to a new level, opening a 4,000-square-foot convenience store in the parking lot of the grocery chain's largest Newton store.

Construction has begun on the freestanding Kwik Shop at 12th St. and Main St. in this Kansas town, according to the Wichita Eagle. Slated to open in late summer, the new c-store will boast 16 gas and diesel fuel pumps in a one-stop shop environment, said Dillons spokeswoman Sheila Lowrie. Kwik Shop is the Kroger convenience store chain, and Dillons is one of Kroger's supermarket banners.

The new store targets the fuel points partnership between the grocer and the c-store chain, she explained. Shoppers accumulate points for per-gallon gasoline discounts at Kwik Shop by buying groceries at Dillons.

"Similar to the innovative Dillons/Kwik Shop hybrid grocery and convenience store in Greensburg and the new Dillons pharmacies inside Kwik Shop locations in Wichita, we are always exploring ways to make customers think of Dillons and Kwik Shop first," Lowrie said.

Cindy Claycomb, a marketing professor at Wichita State University, told the news outlet that the one-stop shop concept is "fairly unique" in convenience, gas and grocery store marketing. "There's only so much market share," she said. "The advantage they give themselves is getting you there. If you need something quick or gas, you choose the convenience store with the grocery store available for a quick drop-in."

Dillons and Kwik Shop have teamed up before, but this will be a freestanding location with fuel pumps. The two operate a hybrid grocery and convenience store in Greensburg, Kan., and in recent years Dillons pharmacies have opened inside Kwik Shop locations.