CSNews Parent Extends Leadership Position in C-store Media

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Stagnito Business Information, parent company to Convenience Store News, announced on Friday the acquisition of several Canadian media brands, conferences and trade shows from Fulcrum Media.

Media brands acquired were Convenience News, Your Convenience Manager, Octane, Pharmacy Business and Your Foodservice Manager, along with French-language editions of three of the publications and affiliated websites across all brands. The exclusive distribution relationship of Your Convenience Manager, Your Foodservice Manager and their French-language editions will continue to be managed by ITWAL Ltd. and its members.

On the conference and trade show side, Stagnito purchased Pharmacy U, The Convenience U Carwacs Show, Le Salon Dépanneurs — Épicuries & Cie, and The Canadian Coffee & Tea Show.

“With research, information services, media and event assets, Stagnito is the U.S. retail industry’s most complete provider of business intelligence and strategic marketing programs. These Canadian brands bring capabilities that fit perfectly with our mission,” said Harry Stagnito, president and CEO of Stagnito Business Information. “Convenience Store News is a leading business-to-business resource for retailers and suppliers. Adding two major c-store media brands — plus Canada’s largest c-store tradeshow — extends our leadership position even further and allows us to bring our audiences and customers greatly enhanced information and marketing opportunities throughout North America.”

The acquisitions of Your Foodservice Manager, The Canadian Coffee & Tea Show and Le Salon Dépanneurs — Épicuries & Cie further demonstrate that foodservice is becomingly increasingly integrated into the convenience store, grocery and other retail formats, Stagnito noted in statement.

In addition, Pharmacy Business and Pharmacy U provide Stagnito with the ability to increase its presence in this growing retail space.

“Since its founding in 1996, Fulcrum Media has dedicated itself to building a quality business in the convenience, pharmacy and foodservice markets,” said Fulcrum Media founder Alan Fogel. “It is clear this is a good fit for Stagnito, and we’re confident that the brands we developed are in good hands.”

Fulcrum Media General Manager and Partner Russell Hoffman added: “In less than 20 years, we’ve established a leadership position in business-to-business media, and it’s good to know our business-to-business brands will continue to thrive.”

Stagnito Business Information operates research, information services, media and events divisions that encompass a brand portfolio dedicated to the consumer packaged goods retail marketplace. The company’s leading brands include Progressive Grocer, Convenience Store News, Store Brands, The Gourmet Retailer, Retail Leader and Multicultural Retail 360. Stagnito also produces top-tier retail industry events, such as the Store Brands Innovation & Marketing Summit and the Multicultural Retail 360 Summit.

Fulcrum Media is a Canadian media company with offices in Toronto and Vancouver specializing in data analytics, promotions and consumer media. Fulcrum is the owner of leading consumer brands such as the EAT! Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival and Flavours Magazine.

Stagnito Business Information is a portfolio company of Topspin Partners, is a suburban New York-based private equity fund that makes control investments in profitable and established lower middle-market businesses. The firm invests across a number of industries, including business and information services, health and wellness, leisure, food and beverage and security. The Topspin team has considerable operational expertise and collaborates with management teams to build businesses of varying stages and sizes. Further information on Topspin can be found at www.topspinpartners.com.