Category Management

Effective category management can help retailers drive sales, reduce out-of-stocks and deliver new and exciting products to the 165 million shoppers who frequent a convenience store each day.

Latest News

February 24, 2021

How to Drive Customer Engagement

Here are four ideas for convenience retailers to keep consumers connected to their businesses.

January 29, 2021

People Cope With Pandemic by Smoking

The drop in cigarette sales halted last year as concerns about e-cigs and lockdowns drove smokers to combustibles.

January 28, 2021

NACS Releases New Category Definitions & Numbering Guide

The definitions help retailers establish a framework for benchmark discussions.

December 1, 2020

Renovation Equals Success for Dollar Tree

But in-store food sales disappoint in most recent quarter.

View All Category Management News

NACS Category Definitions & Number Guide
NACS released the new NACS Category Definitions & Numbering Guide–Version 8.0 that reflects current market conditions. The new category definitions take effect in 2022 and mark the first major update since 2010.

Category definitions provide a common language for retailers, suppliers and manufacturers to establish a framework for discussions about benchmarking and market performance at the store level. Version 8.0, developed by the NACS Research & Technology Committee, significantly updates the last broad iteration.

Contacts

For category management inquiries, contact:

Jayme Gough
Analyst
(703) 518-4226
jgough@convenience.org

For State of the Industry and CSX inquires, contact:

Chris Rapanick
Director, Business Development
(703) 518-4253
crapanick@convenience.org

For Convenience Tracking Program inquires, contact:

Leroy Kelsey
Director, Research
(703) 518-4255
lkelsey@convenience.org

Training and Development

Certified Convenience Category Manager Course
In a time when many retail channels are targeting the convenience-oriented shopper, it is more critical than ever for the convenience operators to have the right product mix to meet the consumer needs.

NACS Certified Convenience Advanced Category Management Curriculum
Whether a national, regional or local chain, experienced convenience store professionals will better understand the profit opportunities that come with effective category management.

Category Benchmarks

NACS State of the Industry Report
Talent acquisition and retention are two of the most critical elements of success. Strengthen your recruiting process and team quality using the latest benchmarking data.

Convenience Voices
Increase revenue and spur growth by fully understanding the needs of your customers. The NACS Convenience Voices program is a syndicated approach to onsite mobile shopper intercepts designed to unlock customer feedback at the “moment of truth.”

CSX Benchmarking Application
CSX allows participants compare financial performance and operating trends against various industry averages with NACS powerful business intelligence and benchmarking tools.

Syndicated Data Program
NACS and The Nielsen Company have joined forces to provide syndicated data to help NACS consumer product goods and convenience retailers gain a better understanding of the competitive marketplace.