The first day of the 2025 NACS Show is in the books. Tuesday featured Education Sessions, a General Session with Sebastian Terry, and the Kick-Off Party, while the Cool New Products Preview Room was open to buyers.
Today marks the opening of the NACS Show Expo. At McCormick Place in Chicago, large interior windows open onto the Expo hall, allowing Day 1 attendees to see almost 1,200 booths as they’re being built. The final step—laying almost 30 miles of carpet—occurs the night before the Expo opens.
(See the full NACS Show schedule.)
Here are some of the NACS Media team’s observations from the opening day of the 2025 NACS Show.
Protein powers up. A recent Bain & Company survey found that 44% of U.S. respondents said they want to increase their protein intake, up from 34% in the same period in 2024.
Last month Starbucks added protein cold foam and protein lattes, giving trend-watchers more proof that protein is only becoming more important to consumers.
A glance around the Cool New Products Preview Room showed suppliers eager to fuel shoppers’ protein needs. Protein shakes are a potential trending segment of the cooler, while high-in-protein snacks look to compete in the salty snacks space.
Retailers can expect to see a wide variety of protein-forward in-store merchandise when the NACS Show Expo opens today. —Ben Nussbaum, Editor in Chief
In-car search remains a growth area. For all the marketing promise of electric vehicles and their infotainment systems, the fragmented nature of the c-store channel is an obstacle in terms of simple in-car searches and recommendations.
“Just as they can help customers find your store, they may also lead customers away from your site,” said Craig Panter, CEO of Cullinan Group, during an Education Session titled “Forecourt Strategies to Increase Trip Frequency and Conversion.”
Where a pole sign may once have been enough to draw in a customer, today EV drivers can find a place to charge up, view a store menu and place an order—all before leaving their driveway. And that AI-driven system is just as likely to recommend a coffee shop as your gas station.
“It’s like the early days of Google search. If you asked for a ‘car wash near me,’ it would point you to a standalone car wash and not your gas station, even though you are a mile closer,” said Panter.
One recommended solution is building partnerships with the associated AI agents to help the industry stand out, particularly if it can deliver a unified voice. Retailers can also learn more about NACS solutions, including THRIVR and TruAge, at the Future of Convenience Booth next to the NACSPAC lounge at the entrance to the North Building. —Steve Holtz, freelance contributor
GLP-1: The sky isn’t falling. GLP-1 may make consumers eat less, but it’s not making them spend less at convenience stores. “GLP-1 is not a killer of convenience. In fact, I would argue that convenience is a big friend to GLP-1 consumers. When you look at the categories that have gained positive shifts in convenience among these customers, it screams that the portion-control convenience offers by having single-serve sizes works,” said Sally Lyons Wyatt, global EVP and chief advisor of consumer goods & foodservice insights at Circana, during an Education Session.
The convenience channel has seen flat spending among GLP-1 users, according to Circana, while other food and retail channels have seen declines.
According to Lyons Wyatt, GLP-1 users are often Gen Z, higher income and have children present in the home. Finding meals that fit the whole family’s needs is critical, and convenience stores that offer something for everyone can win these consumers. —Lauren Shanesy, Editor and Writer
Look for more on GLP-1s and convenience in the December issue of NACS Magazine.