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.
	
    
  
  
  
    
      Establishing a unique identity helps convenience retailers reach new and existing customers.
    
  
     September 22, 2025   read
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      Store teams are driving forces behind changes in behavior among gas-buying customers.
    
  
     September 8, 2025   read
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      Time will tell, but focus on the facts—not ill-advised marketplace predictions.  
    
  
     August 18, 2025   read
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      Food-forward retailers are embracing food safety culture, beginning with leadership.
    
  
     August 6, 2025   read
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      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
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      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
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      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
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      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
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      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
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       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
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       Oil-Crude 
    
   
  
  
  
    
      The key trends and technology challenges shaping the retail industry revealed at one of retail’s biggest events. 
    
  
     January 27, 2025   read
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       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
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       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