Ready, Set, Go

Pent-up demand for in-person connections should fuel a vibrant NACS Show

I JUST BOOKED my first business trips since February 2020, when I attended 7-Eleven’s annual trade show in Las Vegas. At that time, news of the coronavirus outbreak in China was just beginning to emerge in the United States. By the end of that month, there would be more than 1,000 cases outside of mainland China.

We all know what followed. From minor concerns about a new virus that U.S. retailers feared might disrupt product supply lines from Asia, COVID-19 grew into a worldwide pandemic that paralyzed business and travel for several months, and caused death and illness to millions over the past year and a half.

So, it was with cautious optimism that I booked both a business trip this month to Ohio and my airfare and hotel for the 2021 NACS Show in Chicago in October.

I have a feeling this year’s NACS Show will be special. Operators are enjoying a surge in pent-up demand for many of the products they sell, from fuel to foodservice. Retailers have missed connecting with their colleagues and business partners. Unless there is a setback in the fight against COVID-19, the industry is going to have a blast at this year’s show.

It will be great to see old friends and business associates again. NACS says that exhibitor space is more than 90 percent filled and buyer attendance is pacing ahead of the last time the show was held in Chicago in 2017. I expect to see retailers walking the aisles — examining and/or tasting new products and discussing business strategies with their vendor partners.

I’m looking forward to the usual slate of education sessions on such topics as home delivery, supply chain efficiencies, last-mile experiences, and the current biggest challenge: the labor shortage.

For all of the success of the technology that enabled virtual meetings this past year, nothing takes the place of face-to-face contact. Convenience Store News has two in-person events scheduled during NACS Show week in Chicago.

Our annual Technology Leadership Roundtable & Dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 5 will feature most of the top retail tech executives in the industry, including guest speakers Alimentation Couche-Tard Chief Technology Officer Deb Hall Lefevre and 7-Eleven Chief Information Officer Mani Suri. And one of the annual highlights of show week, the CSNews Top Women in Convenience awards gala, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, right after the expo closes.

I’m going for the connections, the products, and to be inspired. How about you?

For comments, please contact Don Longo, Editorial Director, at (201) 855-7606 or dlongo@ensembleiq.com.

EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS (2013-2021)

2021 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Infographics, June 2021 2018 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Editorial Use of Data, June 2017 2013 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Best Single Issue, October 2012 2013 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Profile, August 2012

2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Bronze, Best Original Research, June 2015 2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Silver, Best Original Research, June 2015 2015 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Silver, Best Profile (long form), February 2014 2015 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best Special Supplement, November 2014 Silver, Best Profile (long form), February 2014 2013 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Bronze, Best Editorial/Commentary, July 2012 2020 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Series of Articles, September 2019 2018 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Website Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2017 Business to Business, Editorial Use of Data, June 2017 2017 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine Winner, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, May 2017 Honorable Mention, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, June 2016 2016 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2015 Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, August 2015 2015 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, February 2014 2014 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2013 Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, February 2013 2013 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2012

2020 Trade Association Business Publications Intl. Tabbie Awards Honorable Mention, Best Single Issue, September 2019 2016 Trade Association Business Publications Intl. Tabbie Awards Silver, Front Cover Illustration, June 2015 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Brett Atherton

Bolla Management

Laura Aufleger OnCue Express

Rick Crawford

Green Valley Grocery

Edward Davidson

ER Davidson & Associates (7-Eleven Inc., retired)

Jim Hachtel

Eby-Brown Co.

Chris Hartman

Rutter’s

Ray Johnson Speedee Mart

Jack Lewis

GPM Midwest

Robert Falciani

ExtraMile Convenience Stores

Ruth Ann Lilly

GPM Investments

Vito Maurici

McLane Co. Inc.

Matt Paduano

Lakeport Markets

Jonathan Polonsky Plaid Pantries Inc.

Greg Scriver Kwik Trip Inc.

Bill Stein Core-Mark

Roy Strasburger

StrasGlobal

COVER STORY PAGE 34

FEATURES

COVER STORY

34 The Best of the Best This year’s 74 Top Women in Convenience honorees stood out in a record field of entries. DEPARTMENTS

VIEWPOINT

3 Ready, Set, Go Pent-up demand for in-person connections should fuel a vibrant NACS Show.

TWIC TALK

96 Jayne Rice, Yesway The 2019 TWIC Woman of the Year believes it is important for women to be open to all opportunity, not just vertical advancement.

MIDYEAR REPORT CARD

80 A Rebounding First Half The Convenience Store News Midyear Report Card finds improved business conditions despite continued pandemic-related issues. 8 CSNews Online

18 New Products

SMALL OPERATOR

26 Should You Join a Franchise? Small operators considering a branded c-store network are wise to do their homework.

STORE SPOTLIGHT

98 A Fast Track Into the Future GPM Investments embarks on a remodel initiative armed with a bold, new store prototype.

INSIDE THE CONSUMER MIND

114 Fill It Up As Americans hit the road, price most dictates where they will stop for fuel.

18 114

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP

10 BP Takes Full Ownership of Thorntons 12 Convenience Channel’s Supply Challenges Could Last Throughout 2021 12 Fast Facts

14 Retailer Tidbits

14 Eye on Growth 16 Legislative Corner 16 Supplier Tidbits

92 10

CATEGORY MANAGEMENT

FOODSERVICE

88 Satisfying the Sweet Tooth Dessert trends related to nostalgia and portability are particularly strong right now.

FOODSERVICE

89 Better Synergy in the Kitchen New technology adoption in foodservice equipment is reshaping the food-to-go landscape.

TECHNOLOGY

92 Ensuring the Right Products at the Right Time Closely managing inventory is crucial to a c-store’s bottom line and combining technology with internal and external data sources can help.

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BRAND MANAGEMENT Vice President/Group Brand Director Paula Lashinsky (917) 446-4117 plashinsky@ensembleiq.com EDITORIAL Editorial Director Don Longo (201) 855-7606 dlongo@ensembleiq.com Editor-in-Chief Linda Lisanti (201) 855-7608 llisanti@ensembleiq.com Senior News Editor Melissa Kress (201) 855-7618 mkress@ensembleiq.com Senior Editor Angela Hanson (201) 855-7619 ahanson@ensembleiq.com Managing Editor Danielle Romano (201) 855-7604 dromano@ensembleiq.com Contributing Editor Renée M. Covino (303) 741-3377 reneek@aol.com Contributing Editor Tammy Mastroberte (201) 280-2614 tmastroberte@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES & BUSINESS Associate Brand Director & Northeast Sales Manager Rachel McGaffigan (774) 212-6455 rmcgaffigan@ensembleiq.com Associate Brand Director & Western Sales Manager Ron Lowy (330) 840-9557 rlowy@ensembleiq.com Associate Publisher & Midwest Sales Manager Kelly Fischer (773) 992-4464 kfischer@ensembleiq.com Account Executive & Classified Advertising Terry Kanganis (201) 855-7615 tkanganis@ensembleiq.com Classified Production Manager Mary Beth Medley (856) 809-0050 marybeth@marybethmedley.com EVENTS Executive Vice President, Events & Conferences Ed Several (860) 830-8321 eseveral@ensembleiq.com AUDIENCE List Rental MeritDirect (914) 309-3378 Marie Briganti Subscriber Services/Customer Care contact@csnews.com TOLL-FREE: (877) 687-7321 FAX: (888) 520-3608 PROJECT MANAGEMENT/PRODUCTION/ART Vice President, Production Derek Estey (877) 687-7321 destey@ensembleiq.com Creative Director Colette Magliaro (973) 607-1320 cmagliaro@ensembleiq.com Advertising/Production Manager Ed Ward (773) 992-4418 eward@ensembleiq.com Art Director Lauren DiMeo (973) 607-1321 ldimeo@ensembleiq.com

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Convenience Store News (ISSN 0194-8733; USPS 515-950) is published 12 times per year, monthly, by EnsembleIQ, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60631. Subscription rates: Subscription rate in the United States: $125 one year; $230 two year; $14 single issue copy; Canada and Mexico: $150 one year; $270 two year; $16 single issue copy; Foreign: $170 one year; $325 two year; $16 single issue copy; Digital One year, digital $87; two year, $161. Periodical postage paid at Chicago, IL 60631, and additional mailing addresses. Copyright 2021 by EnsembleIQ. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Reprints, permissions and licensing, please contact Wright’s Media at ensembleiq@wrightsmedia.com or (877) 652-5295. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Convenience Store News, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60631.