NACS needs your help! The annual NACS State of the Industry (SOI) Report, the most comprehensive analysis of the convenience industry's performance, is based upon retailer data captured by the SOI Survey. Help us to continue to develop the strongest metrics for benchmarking and industry advocacy by filling out the survey this year ?" you have until March 16. By submitting your data each year, NACS can provide same firm comparisons, top performer views and regional cuts of the data.

The NACS State of the Industry Report conveys the best possible industry information your company needs to stay competitive and achieve top-quartile performance. With increasing competition from non-traditional fuel marketers (hypermarkets) and continuing pressures on other key categories, traditional c-store and fuel marketers need more responsive, more targeted performance data. Great benchmark information is the only way for you to design effective strategies to grow your market share and profits.

NACS SOI information is based on income statement, balance sheet, and productivity data provided by convenience store companies, as well as other data sources deemed credible by NACS. All data is kept completely confidential.

Retailers who participate in the SOI Survey will receive a complimentary copy of the NACS State of the Industry Report of 2011 Data and free admission for up to three individuals to the State of the Industry Summit in Chicago on April 3 to 5, 2012. In addition, you will also receive the NACS Factbook of 2011 Data, an annual compilation of all historical data collected through the years via the SOI survey.

The deadline to submit data is March 16. Retailers can download an electronic version of the survey now.

If you have questions about the SOI survey process or if you need additional time for data submission, please contact Bob Swanson at (703) 518-4219 or e-mail rswanson@nacsonline.com.

Visit the 2012 NACS State of the Industry Summit website for additional information and to register online.