Gama spoke to Jeff Lenard, NACS Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives, ahead of the latest edition of the NACS Show.
What are your expectations for this edition of the NACS Show? What features are there for visitors to look forward to?
The NACS Show is where retailers go to find the future of convenience, whether via products or services on the expo floor, in the education and general sessions or in conversations during networking events. And because the future can take a different path depending on where you are, whether in the United States or abroad, the NACS Show delivers a comprehensive overview of how retailers can address both challenges and opportunities.
What key trends are shaping convenience retail in 2024?
Foodservice continues to grow within our channel. Convenience stores are now seen as a destination for high-quality meals and prepared food and beverages. We also are continuing to see the growth of healthy options within food and beverage categories. A big trend is the reinvention of how “convenience” is evolving beyond fast and convenient shopping. Retailers are placing a big emphasis on delivering excitement in their stores through experience and value.
How should companies in convenience ensure success in the face of ongoing industry headwinds?
All channels are facing many of the same challenges related to consumer expectations: The experiences of a Disney property combined with Walmart pricing and Amazon’s breadth of offers. We can’t be all things to all people, so it’s important to define what you want to be famous for, whether food, great people or a great loyalty program. And make sure to engage with your customers.
About the NACS Show
The NACS Show (Las Vegas Convention Center, 8th – 10th October 2024) brings together convenience and fuel retailing industry professionals for four days of learning, buying and selling, networking and fun — all designed to help participants grow their bottom line.