Convenience Corner
Convenience Corner showcases the dynamic convenience retail environment. Join the conversations on all things retail, NACS and convenience brought to you by industry experts and guests.
Inside sales were impressive in 2024 as candy and snacks led the way with innovation and new product launches.
June 17, 2025 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
After nearly 50 years, the debate to stop producing the U.S. one-cent coin may be over.
June 5, 2025 read
By
Road trip season is also here, which is a great time to revisit one of the worst road trips ever.
May 23, 2025 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Chris Rapanick, managing director of NACS Research, shared a 30,000-ft. view of the key insights revealed at this year’s NACS State of the Industry Summit.
May 2, 2025 read
By
Six themes emerged from the 2025 NACS State of the Industry Summit that set the convenience retail industry on the road to long-term success.
April 21, 2025 read
By Henry Armour
Here’s a hint: It’s not just the tailpipe—it’s the entire production cycle. The Transportation Energy Institute explains the why and the how.
March 31, 2025 read
By
While there is a time, a place and a future for AI, we’re only human.
March 24, 2025 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Technology Culture Employees
From swipe fees to the penny, there are industry-specific issues worth paying attention to in the coming months.
March 17, 2025 read
By
Yes, they make money—but let’s look at how much profit is from gas.
March 6, 2025 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
Chef Jeff Henderson shares how it's never too late to have a wake-up call.
February 19, 2025 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Foodservice Leadership
From Mexican imports to holiday sales opportunities, we break down what’s on tap for this top five in-store category.
February 10, 2025 read
By
Alcoholic Seltzer
Gas prices have surged between $3 to $4 since late 2022. What caused previous peaks and valleys with prices?
February 5, 2025 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
There is no “average” fuel retailer, so all the costs that go into a gallon of gas vary from station to station.
February 4, 2025 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
Within the first 24 hours of taking office, President Trump revealed the administration’s energy policies.
January 30, 2025 read
By
Oil-Crude
The key trends and technology challenges shaping the retail industry revealed at one of retail’s biggest events.
January 27, 2025 read
By
Technology
Turns out that U.S. presidents have very little control over the price per gallon consumers pay at the pump.
January 23, 2025 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels NACS Show
Operational excellence and a ‘super convenient culture’ are leading the evolution of Tokyo’s c-store industry.
January 16, 2025 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Asia
From exciting new flavors to getting started with AI, we’re taking a look at some of the trends c-stores are exploring.
January 10, 2025 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Technology In-Store Merchandise
Stafford Shurden knows a thing or two about the amazing food that is often found at c-stores in rural communities and off the beaten path.
January 6, 2025 read
By
Foodservice
How AI, contactless payments and loyalty programs are shaping the c-store industry.
December 31, 2024 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Technology Conexxus
Former ATF official shares information on the rise of tobacco theft and strategies for retailers to combat it.
December 23, 2024 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Loss prevention
NACS General Counsel Doug Kantor shares how the Credit Card Competition Act could move through Congress.
December 13, 2024 read
By Jeff Lenard
Payment Swipe Fees
What started 18 years ago before a House Subcommittee has led to multiple lawsuits, over a dozen hearings and legislative proposals.
December 8, 2024 read
By Jeff Lenard
Swipe Fees
What are they, how long could it take for e-fuels to become a viable transportation energy source and what will it take to make it happen?
December 2, 2024 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Fuels
Technology can have a real impact on bringing missing kids home.
November 25, 2024 read
By Jeff Lenard
Is consumer trust in food safety eroding? And if so, what can retailers do to build, or rebuild that trust?
November 14, 2024 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Food safety
After 19 NACS Shows, I’ve seen and experienced a lot of really cool stuff.
September 13, 2024 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
NACS Show
No matter where the road takes you, great food can be found at convenience stores.
April 19, 2024 read
By Jeff Lenard
Food prepared on-site
The c-store industry has seen a lot of change in nearly two decades, and shows no signs of slowing down.
February 13, 2024 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
State of the Industry Summit
Can digital and social media platforms drive c-store food success?
January 31, 2024 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Foodservice
Every day, 40 million Americans fill up and way more than that will be talking about gas prices.
January 2, 2024 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
Wherever your customers go, there will 55 million of them on the road this Thanksgiving, and tens of millions more over Christmas and New Year’s.
November 20, 2023 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
Get your candy bowl ready because Halloween season is here.
October 17, 2023 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Candy
We took the road trip concept for a test drive, visiting more than 70 convenience stores in multiple states and two countries.
September 6, 2023 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
From personal experience, there are ample opportunities to better educate drivers on the basics of operating an electric vehicle.
July 28, 2023 read
By Jeff Lenard
Electric Vehicles
Here's why retailers and consumers should care about swipe fees, and what they can do about it.
June 9, 2023 read
By Jeff Lenard
From refinery maintenance to seasonal gasoline blends, the reasons why gas prices tend to make a move in the spring is a good opportunity to communicate market conditions with customers.
April 6, 2023 read
By Jeff Lenard
If you want to learn more about NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard), attend a zoning approval hearing.
February 22, 2023 read
By Jeff Lenard
"You like us, you really like us!”
January 25, 2023 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Food is our industry’s differentiator.
December 19, 2022 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Because in Washington, what starts out voluntary always has the potential to become regulatory.
November 4, 2022 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Customers should be able to easily find you, and your hiding spot should be terrible.
October 17, 2022 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Is it the banking and credit card industry, or the retailer? The answer is obvious.
June 29, 2022 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
Costs are high, but so is the desire to hit the road and make memories.
May 24, 2022 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Easing consumer pain is a good idea, unless it causes more problems.
May 2, 2022 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
The question drivers are asking after oil prices dropped significantly, to under $100 a barrel.
March 16, 2022 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
Yes, gas prices are up, but they’re only a fraction of the cost of a vacation. And yes, you should take one!
February 17, 2022 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
NACS cannot predict gas prices, but we can share insights from industry experts on how much consumers could be paying at the pump.
January 17, 2022 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Web searches reveal a lot about how customers are finding your stores.
December 3, 2021 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Global issues are pushing oil prices higher—and that’s affecting gas prices at your local c-store.
October 22, 2021 read
By Jeff Lenard
Fuels
Two decades of visiting convenience stores translates to a treasure trove of insights on what’s next for c-stores.
September 23, 2021 read
By Jeff Lenard
Sixty years after NACS began, one thing still rings true to today.
August 6, 2021 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Here’s a hint, fewer masks, more commuters and increasing gum and mint sales.
June 10, 2021 read
By Jeff Lenard
NACS staff looks back on some of their memorable trade show experiences.
May 5, 2021 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky
Taking advantage of an existing event can help your sales grow like weeds.
April 14, 2021 read
By Jeff Lenard
Our industry has established and reimagined convenience with one likeminded purpose: To own it.
March 5, 2021 read
By Chrissy Blasinsky