By Ben Nussbaum, publisher and editor-in-chief, NACS
The final day of NACS Show is the best day in my opinion. It offers a different vibe, with the crowds on the Expo floor a little more mellow than earlier in the week. That means there’s more time for conversation—and the conversations are great: Everyone you talk to can share what they’ve seen and learned over the past couple of days.
Here are some takeaways from the final day of the 2025 NACS Show.
1. NACS is incredibly fortunate in its leadership. That starts with current president and CEO Henry Armour, extends to incoming president and CEO Frank Gleeson, and includes 2025-2026 chair Annie Gauthier and 2024-2025 chair Brian Hannasch. That great leadership also includes the members of the Executive Committee and other NACS board members who give their time to NACS and give back to the industry.
As Gauthier shared in her General Session remarks, “As an industry, we are there for each other. We share with each other and we lift each other up so that we can lift up the communities we serve.”
2. The tech landscape is changing. Of course, that could be a takeaway from every NACS Show each year. But as AI spreads into every facet of operations, it’s harder to see around corners. “[AI] will change our goals, our timeframes and more,” said Gray Taylor, executive director of Conexxus, in the Education Session “The NACS/Conexxus Technology Roadmap.”
[It’s never been more important for retailers and suppliers to participate in Conexxus. Learn more about the organization.]
What does the changing tech landscape mean for operators of different sizes? In particular, will AI-powered tech, as it becomes less expensive and more powerful, change the playing field for smaller operators?
3. Traffic was a buzzword, and context was everything. On the Expo floor, traffic to booths was really good. On the streets of host city Chicago, traffic was unpredictable.
In the Education Session “State of the Industry Update,” Chris Rapanick, managing director of NACS research, shared some of the trends that are shaping the industry so far in 2025. When it comes to in-store traffic, the numbers point to a challenge.
Inside transactions for the January–June 2025 period were down 1.9% year over year. While foodservice continues to grow, its rate of growth has slowed from around 7% the past few years to 2.1% during that same window. Unit sales are in decline for most categories.
Fuel margin is the hero of the day; however, c-stores that don’t sell fuel are declining from a numbers standpoint, from 30,331 to 29,604 so far in 2025. If store count is a barometer of industry health, retailers with fuel have grown their location count in that same period.
The “State of the Industry Update” Education Session was standing room only. For the full picture, plan ahead to be in Chicago April 14–16, 2026, for the NACS State of the Industry Summit.
4. A running theme on the Expo floor this week—mashups and collaborations. Hershey’s has a hit with its Reese’s/Oreo mashup. Johnsonville is promoting a Dr Pepper flavored roller grill sausage. Chips aren’t just chips—they’re protein packed. You can drink a Pepsi—or you can drink a prebiotic Pepsi (this exciting product will be in stores in early 2026).
“2025 is the peak of innovation I’ve seen across the snack and candy category,” said Anna Kjerrumgaard, director of category management, center store, for RaceTrac, during an Education Session.
Where does that leave tried-and-true staples? PepsiCo is investing in Lay’s with a brand refresh that gives the product more of an upscale feel, including matte packaging.
5. Get used to hearing (and pronouncing) the word “semiquincentennial.” July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The NACS Show Expo had a little more red, white and blue than last year as suppliers prepare for the event. How will stores celebrate? Is it an opportunity to shift some messaging and merchandising? What will consumer expectations be this upcoming Fourth of July?