More than 550 Malaysian convenience stores now offer fresh food, coffee and places to sit—because one leader saw an opportunity to rethink the format.
At the 2025 NACS Convenience Summit Asia in Tokyo, U-Ming Tan, Co-CEO of 7-Eleven Malaysia, was named NACS Convenience Industry Leader of the Year Award Asia-Pacific. He oversaw the rollout of 7CAFÉ, a new store concept that blends traditional convenience with café service. It’s a shift designed to meet evolving customer expectations while strengthening brand relevance. Tan’s leadership has helped scale this concept while maintaining operational consistency across more than 2,400 stores nationwide.
In Phuket, Thailand, Tops Daily Laguna Village (winner of the 2025 NACS Convenience Retailer of the Year Award Asia-Pacific) introduced a hybrid model that combines daily groceries with a dedicated wine cellar, offering over 700 chilled products and a full-time wine advisor. Customers can sit and stay, not just shop and go.
The store has since become a pilot for new locations across Thailand’s key tourist markets. It’s a clear example of how targeted format changes can improve performance and customer value.
For more than a decade, NACS Convenience Summit Asia has recognized outstanding achievements in Asian retail communities. The NACS Convenience Retail Awards Asia-Pacific—judged by leaders in the convenience industry—showcase global convenience retailing excellence in four categories: Industry Leader of the Year; Convenience Store of the Year; Convenience Innovation of the Year; and the Convenience Cares Award.
Entries for the 2026 Awards are due January 9.
The 2026 NACS Convenience Summit Asia will take place in Shanghai, China—recognized as one of Asia’s most innovative regions. Join global convenience retail leaders as they explore the trends, technologies and strategies shaping the next era of retail.