NACS Announces Asian Convenience Retail Technology Award

ALEXANDRIA, VA – 7-Eleven Australia is this year’s recipient of the inaugural NACS Asian Convenience Retail Technology Award. The award, sponsored by PDI, recognizes the retailer’s innovative 7-Eleven Fuel App. 7-Eleven Australia will accept the award on 7 March at the 2019 NACS Convenience Summit Asia in Shanghai, China.

More than 1.6 million Australians have downloaded the 7-Eleven Fuel App, which allows them to lock in the best local fuel price at one of the 520-plus 7-Eleven fuel stores throughout the country. App users also have access to exclusive and personalized deals on in-store merchandise at any of 7-Eleven’s 680 stores.

The app searches for the five nearest 7-Eleven stores within 250 kilometers of a customer’s current location. Then, a “best local price” displays the lowest price found at those stores, which consumers can then “lock in” that price and redeem petrol for that amount at any 7-Eleven store in the country within seven days. If the price decreases within that time, customers will pay the lowest price. Since launching in 2016, the app has collectively saved customers more than $10 million (AUD) on fuel purchases. The average saving for redeemed fuel lock vouchers is about $4.47 (AUD), or around 10% of the average fuel transaction.

“The app has been adopted by many of our existing customers which is great to see, however the incremental customer growth is really exciting,” said Angus McKay, CEO of 7-Eleven Australia. “Our research is telling us that our fuel app users tend to visit more often than non-fuel app customers. The total spend by fuel app customers is growing in line with the uptake of the app. Fuel app customers spend approximately three times the average spend of non-fuel app customers.”

“PDI is proud to sponsor this award acknowledging the innovative efforts of such a worthy recipient as 7-Eleven Australia,” said Jimmy Frangis, CEO at PDI. “Their app addresses the consumer challenge of saving money at the pump amid constantly changing fuel prices. Its rapid adoption is indicative of the success retailers can have when they use technology to create a better customer experience.”

“The global convenience retail industry is experiencing rapid change and embracing new opportunities that remove friction from the customer’s journey,” said Henry O. Armour, NACS president and CEO. “Through its mobile app, 7-Eleven Australia is delivering an exciting customer experience and creating an environment where customers can shop for fuel quickly and conveniently.”

The 2019 NACS Convenience Summit Asia will take place in Shanghai, China, where attendees will experience a robust conference agenda featuring inspiring speakers and case studies, thought-provoking discussions on critical industry topics, along with interactive store tours. For more information visit convenience.org/Asia.

The 2019 Asian Convenience Retail Technology Award, sponsored by PDI, recognizes a convenience retailing company that has pursued a significant and compelling technology initiative. First introduced at the NACS Convenience Summit Europe in 2015, the award honors retailers who are making far-sighted, long-term investments in technology innovation, keeping retailers convenient and hassle-free for customers.

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