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.
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
There is no “average” fuel retailer, so all the costs that go into a gallon of gas vary from station to station.
November 12, 2021 read
By Jeff Lenard
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 Chris 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 Chris Blasinsky
Truth be told, U.S. presidents have very little control over the price per gallon.
February 3, 2021 read
By Jeff Lenard
Whether through weak signals or a steam roller, the convenience retail industry is experiencing unique trends and possibilities.
January 11, 2021 read
By Jeff Lenard
Spoiler alert: It’s not through training. Instead, we’re creating a movement.
December 7, 2020 read
By Chris Blasinsky
Store Operations Food safety
We’re creating an industry-first, world-class experience with all the feels of a live event.
September 23, 2020 read
By Jeff Lenard
How convenience retailers like me are living through our virtual communication pandemonium.
August 31, 2020 read
By Julie Jackowski
The designation of essential businesses goes well beyond the products convenience stores sell.
July 23, 2020 read
By Jeff Lenard
Frank Gleeson shares why one day in 2019 was one of the most memorable during his NACS chairmanship.
June 26, 2020 read
By Frank Gleeson
Leadership
Essential businesses like convenience and grocery stores have drawn the blueprint for other businesses as they prepare to reopen.
June 3, 2020 read
By Craig Fugate
Crisis management
Let’s go beyond location by leveraging digital tools, forecourt conversion strategies and in-store offers to drive store traffic.
May 6, 2020 read
By Lori Buss Stillman
What convenience retailers need to know about complying with recent-enacted regulations.
April 16, 2020 read
By Doug Kantor
Compliance and regulations
Convenience retailers can amply their communications to focus what they’re doing for the community during times of crisis.
March 20, 2020 read
By Jeff Lenard
More retailers are focusing on sustainability for practical business reasons, not just because some may consider it the right thing to do.
March 10, 2020 read
By Scot Case
Sustainability
From a focus on store design to engaging with customers in ways that weren’t possible two decades ago, how retailers and customers define “wow” continues to evolve.
February 12, 2020 read
By Jeff Lenard
Store design
NACS membership is a life cycle of products and world-class events that help facilitate a process of growth.
January 27, 2020 read
By Keith Harlow
NACS Strategic planning
Throughout her career, Melissa Gouin of Energy North Inc. has found that the learning process is complex—what works for one person may not work for another.
February 7, 2019 read
By Melissa Gouin
Coaching and counseling Training
Now that your company has a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, are you telling the story? Communicating to your customers what your company stands for helps build your brand and create loyalists in the workplace and the community.
December 6, 2018 read
By Carolyn Schnare
Community relations
Every convenience and fuel retail operation has a different process for managing and bringing their fuel to market. The key is to find what works best for your organization, stay current on regulations and emerging technologies, and ask your customers what they want.
November 1, 2018 read
By Lisa Dell'Alba
Technology Trends
Is it more important to focus on strategic leadership or executing a plan? John Zikias of Holmes Oil Company Inc. breaks down why both are necessary, and why the leadership journey never ends.
August 24, 2018 read
By John Zikias
Leadership Strategic planning
Compliance is following the law, while regulations are the rules themselves. Understanding both is at the heart of NACS advocacy efforts to protect its members.
August 6, 2018 read
By Doug Kantor
Compliance and regulations
Leslie Saitta of Impact 21 demystifies the category management process and shares her insights on some of the misperceptions about implementing an effective cat man plan.
August 2, 2018 read
By Lesley Saitta
Category Management
Customer experience is a driving force behind store design. Mike Lawshe of Paragon Solutions shares sage advice to retailers at various stages of the store build, branding and design process. Here’s a hint: Look outside the box for new fresh ideas.
June 10, 2018 read
By Mike Lawshe
Store design Store development Store renovation